A man and a woman from Ukraine have been arrested in the Czech Republic for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that exploited Ukrainian refugees.
The couple brought fellow countrymen to the Czech Republic, processed fake residence certificates to claim humanitarian benefits, opened bank accounts in their names, and then returned them to Ukraine. Through this method, they “earned” 11 million crowns (€440,000).
The fraud was uncovered by detectives from the economic crime police in Brno, who were tracking suspicious financial transactions.
“They traced two foreigners from Eastern Europe when investigating suspicions that they were helping open bank accounts through which money from criminal activities was later transferred. It soon became clear that they were responsible for more serious criminal activity,” said police spokesperson Pavel Schwab.
After receiving information from fellow Ukrainians about access to bank accounts and cards, the couple collected money from the humanitarian benefits and withdrew funds from ATMs during their trips to the Czech Republic.
“During one of these trips, the fraud was uncovered, and the man and woman were placed under arrest. Over time, the criminals were found to be in possession of 74 credit cards and 12 phones, with which they managed the bank accounts. The successful couple had been committing crimes for a year, and on a larger scale, for the past five months. Ultimately, the criminals took possession of the vehicle and finances of the accused, with the total value of seized assets exceeding two and a quarter million crowns,” Schwab added.
The accused now face up to 10 years in prison for fraud.
