Kyiv residents lose hundreds of thousands of hryvnias due to fake apartment rentals by a "colonel"

Criminal scheme involving fictitious housing

A group of criminals who systematically defrauded residents of Ukraine by offering for rent apartments that did not actually exist has been uncovered in the capital. This became known thanks to a statement from the press service of the National Police.

The role of the organiser and his accomplices

According to the investigation materials, the scheme was organised by a native of the Donetsk region, who is currently located on the territory of the Russian Federation. To carry out his plans, he involved two co-participants: one from Kryvyi Rih and the other from Kharkiv.

The organiser personally conducted negotiations with potential victims. To gain their trust, he presented himself as the owner of the property, citing his high rank — a police colonel or a military serviceman. To substantiate his claims, the fraudster sent photos of purported official identification cards.

How the deception took place

The criminals published online advertisements for apartment rentals in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, using fictitious names. When interested parties moved to private messaging, they were invited to discuss the details of the lease.

Subsequently, the fraudsters demanded that funds be transferred to several accounts: a deposit, payment for the first and last months of residence, as well as additional money for the purported notarisation of the contract. Financial transactions were carried out through the bank accounts of so-called "drops" — front persons.

Consequences and criminal liability

Police have documented several episodes of such activity. As a result of these fraudulent actions, victims lost hundreds of thousands of hryvnias.

The defendants were charged under Part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud). The organiser, who is abroad, was charged in absentia. According to the law, the suspects face a penalty of imprisonment for a term of up to eight years.