The head of the OGP's cyber department was detained in connection with fraudulent call centers
NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are conducting a large-scale special operation at the Office of the Prosecutor General in connection with a case involving possible “protection” of fraudulent call centers. As part of this case, law enforcement officials detained Serhiy Kropiva, head of the cyber department at the Office of the Prosecutor General. Meanwhile, MP Oleksiy Goncharenko stated that NABU is also conducting investigative activities at the Office of the President.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office are conducting a special operation at the Office of the Prosecutor General. According to NABU and the SAPO, law enforcement officials are uncovering a criminal organization which, according to the investigation, was headed by an official from the Office of the Prosecutor General.
The organization is suspected of “providing protection” for a network of fraudulent call centers and laundering assets. As part of this case, NABU detectives detained Serhiy Kropiva, head of the cyber department at the Office of the Prosecutor General. Ukrainian media reported his detention, citing sources. Photos from the scene of Kropiva’s detention have also appeared online.
What is known about the case
NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have not yet disclosed all the details of the special operation. A statement from the anti-corruption agencies refers to a criminal organization linked to the activities of fraudulent call centers. According to investigators, the organization’s members may have provided protection for these activities against law enforcement. In addition, the organization is suspected of laundering assets that may have been obtained through criminal means.
It is within the framework of this investigation that law enforcement officials are conducting investigative actions at the Office of the Prosecutor General. “NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are conducting a special operation to expose a criminal organization led by an official of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, which is involved in providing protection for a network of fraudulent call centers and the laundering of assets,” NABU and SAPO stated. Law enforcement officials promise to provide details later.
Serhiy Kropiva Detained
One of the key figures identified in this special operation is Serhiy Kropiva, head of the cyber department at the Office of the Prosecutor General. According to Ukrainian media sources, he was detained by NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors. This was reported, in particular, after investigative actions began at the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Subsequently, photographs of Kropiva’s arrest appeared online. They show the moment when law enforcement officers are detaining the official. The case is currently under investigation. The mere fact of the arrest does not imply guilt. A court will determine the legal consequences of Kropiva’s actions and those of any other individuals involved.
NABU May Have Also Raided the Office of the President
Separately, on the evening of September 4, reports emerged about possible NABU investigative actions at the Office of the President. This was reported by People’s Deputy Oleksiy Goncharenko. His statement was also shared by Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels. “NABU is conducting investigative actions at the Office of the President of Ukraine,” Goncharenko wrote.
At the same time, there are currently no official details regarding these investigative actions. It is unknown exactly what law enforcement officials are investigating or whether these actions are directly related to the case involving fraudulent call centers.
Therefore, information regarding the Office of the President should currently be accurately presented as a statement by Oleksiy Goncharenko and the media, rather than as a fact confirmed by NABU within the context of a specific investigation.
Investigative actions are ongoing in the case
Investigative actions at the Office of the Prosecutor General are continuing. According to media reports, NABU has also taken action against other officials at the Office of the Prosecutor General. In particular, there were reports that the office of First Deputy Prosecutor General Maria Vdovichenko had been sealed off. This information was also circulated with reference to Oleksiy Goncharenko.
So far, law enforcement agencies have not disclosed the full list of individuals who may be involved in the organization. Likewise, there is no definitive information regarding all the incidents being investigated by NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The main thing known at this point is that anti-corruption agencies are conducting a special operation targeting a possible criminal organization linked to fraudulent call centers, and as part of this case, they have detained Serhiy Kropiva, head of the OGP’s cyber department.
Information regarding investigative actions at the Office of the President remains a separate report by MP Oleksiy Goncharenko and requires further official confirmation. The investigation is ongoing. At this stage, all allegations are merely the investigation’s version of events, and the guilt of any individual must be proven in court. This was reported by MP Oleksiy Goncharenko.
NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are conducting a special operation to expose a criminal organization which, according to investigators, is headed by an official from the Office of the Prosecutor General.
