Fraudsters were arrested in the Odesa region for defrauding military personnel in car sales

Law enforcement officers in the Odesa region have exposed and detained a group of three local residents who defrauded military personnel under the pretense of selling imported cars. The suspects posted ads on online platforms offering expensive cars at below-market prices, promising to import them from abroad. 

This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine.

Source: https://censor.net/ua/p3606851

To appear credible, they sent buyers video reviews of the cars found online, after which they demanded an advance payment of between $500 and $1,500 for delivery to Ukraine.

After receiving the funds into accounts controlled by their associates, the scammers cut off all contact with the victims. The illegal activity was documented by regional police investigators in collaboration with cyberpolice specialists on March 24, 2026. Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact number of military personnel defrauded and the full circumstances of how the scheme operated under martial law.

This incident is yet another example of abuse of aid intended for the military, similar to the recent embezzlement of over 1 million UAH in donations by the head of a charitable foundation in the Khmelnytskyi region. While the consequences of shelling by the Russian Federation are being addressed in the Odesa and Sumy regions, law enforcement agencies are strengthening oversight of compliance with the law in rear areas. All evidence gathered regarding the group’s activities in the Odesa region will be submitted to the court for a final verdict on the defendants.

Cyberoperation “Scammer”: Ukraine and Latvia have uncovered a €300,000 fraud scheme.

Additionally, the court ordered the seizure of over 48 million hryvnias from an official at the Environmental Inspection Agency.