In Ukraine, members of a gang that stole more than 50 luxury cars in the EU will stand trial

In Ukraine, a pretrial investigation has been completed into members of the Ukrainian branch of an international criminal organization that stole luxury cars in European Union countries. The indictment has already been submitted to the court.

According to the investigation, the group consisted of dozens of people from various countries. The Ukrainian members were responsible for recruiting individuals who were eligible to travel abroad and provided them with forged documents, bank cards, and money.

Upon arrival in the EU, the recruited individuals rented luxury cars from rental companies using the forged documents and then failed to return them. The stolen cars were transported to special locations, where their chassis numbers were altered and the vehicles were modified, after which they were sold to countries in the Middle East and Asia.

Law enforcement agencies uncovered the international network as part of the “Matador” special operation. In the spring of 2024, police from Ukraine, France, Spain, Germany, and Latvia, under the coordination of Europol, arrested the organizers and dismantled the group’s central hub.

Following this, Ukrainian investigators conducted dozens of searches and served notices of suspicion to recruiters, coordinators, and document forgers.

The suspects are charged with aiding and abetting the illegal seizure of vehicles as part of an organized group, as well as organizing and producing forged documents. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Source: National Police of Ukraine

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