Serhiy Kryvenko: Odesa philanthropist or fraudster?

Odesa philanthropist or fraudster? Serhiy Kryvenko flees abroad with millions in donations

Fleeing under the guise of a volunteer
Serhiy Kryvenko, head of the Adzhalyk charitable foundation, has left Ukraine, leaving a trail of criminal charges in his wake. According to investigators, he misappropriated over 3.4 million UAH intended for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and then fled to Moldova under the guise of a volunteer.

How did the scheme work?

Investigators established that between 25 March and 27 December 2022, the foundation received over 5.4 million UAH in donations. Taking advantage of donors' trust, Kryvenko transferred 3.38 million UAH to his personal accounts, instead of directing the funds to the stated purposes.

Manhunt and international pursuit
Ukrainian law enforcement officers charged Kryvenko under Part 3 of Article 201-2 of the Criminal Code (illegal misappropriation of charitable funds during martial law). However, they failed to arrest him – on 14 May 2023, he left Ukraine. On 30 December 2024, he was placed on the wanted list, and on 14 January 2025, he was placed on the international wanted list by order of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Kryvenko's dark past
Serhiy Kryvenko's name has featured in criminal cases before:
1996–2004 – service in internal affairs bodies, dismissal from the police for fraud.
2006 – a court found him guilty of using a forged Ministry of Internal Affairs ID.
Work at the "Ukraine" credit union, linked to fraud in the lending sector.

Involvement in land raids in Odesa Oblast, while serving as head of the "Agro Yuzh-1" company.
Listing in the "Myrotvorets" database as a supporter of pro-Russian forces and a member of the Party of Regions.

Political career and changing masks
In 2013, Kryvenko participated in anti-Ukrainian clashes, and a few months later received the position of Deputy Head of the Komsomolsk Raion State Administration. Despite his criminal record, he remained in the administration until 2015.

However, in 2016, he changed strategy, founding the Adzhalyk charitable foundation. After the start of the full-scale invasion, the foundation became a cover, allowing Kryvenko to hide his real biography.