A scheme to sell counterfeit $100 bills for half the price worth 100,000 hryvnias was discovered in Kyiv

Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Kyiv have uncovered an organized group involved in the sale of counterfeit foreign currency. The criminals intended to sell counterfeit $100 bills totaling $100,000.

The investigation established that two citizens from Kyiv and its region were involved in the criminal scheme. They offered potential buyers $100 bills for half their real value – $50 each.

One of the group members was detained after attempting to sell a batch of counterfeit goods. The operation was conducted by detectives of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine together with operatives of the National Police, including the Department of Internal Security.

An expert examination confirmed that the seized bills are counterfeit and do not meet the manufacturer’s official standards for printing technology and security features. At the same time, during a superficial inspection and using a detector, it was practically impossible to distinguish counterfeit banknotes from original ones.

The suspects were charged under Articles 199 (1) and 199 (2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which regulate the production and sale of counterfeit money. The punishment provided by law can be up to 10 years in prison, with the confiscation of property.