Network forging disability certificates for $10–12,000 exposed in Khmelnytskyi region

Criminals received up to $12,000 for fictitious disability

Law enforcement agencies in Khmelnytskyi region identified a group of five individuals engaged in the illegal issuance of disability certificates. The scheme's clients were military-liable persons and members of their families. The criminals demanded between $10,000 and $12,000 for documents certifying health limitations, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported.

Group included military medical commission doctors

The criminal scheme was initiated by a resident of Ivano-Frankivsk region. He sought individuals willing to obtain a second-degree disability and involved medical workers in the process. Specifically, a staff member of the regional emergency medical care centre and three doctors from a multi-specialty hospital, who were members of the military medical commission (MMC), were implicated in the criminal activity.

The medical professionals recorded fictitious inpatient treatment for "clients", invented diagnoses, and issued corresponding certificates. These forged documents allowed relatives to arrange care for their loved ones or to illegally leave Ukraine.

Investigation documented two cases of forgery

According to investigative materials, this network has been operating since June of this year. To date, two specific cases of document forgery for women have been documented. One of them is the wife of a military serviceman.

The organiser of the criminal group was detained in October during the handover of $11,500. Law enforcement officers conducted 21 searches, during which they seized cash, mobile phones, three cars, and other physical evidence.

Preventive measures chosen for all suspects

All defendants in the case were charged with abuse of influence. An additional criminal case was opened against the organiser for organising the illegal crossing of persons across the state border. The court chose preventive measures in the form of detention in custody with the right to post bail for all suspects.