The SBI is investigating the illegal seizure of land in Kyiv valued at over UAH 100 million

The SBI uncovered a multi-level scheme of illegal appropriation of 75 land plots in Kyiv valued at over UAH 100 million.

According to preliminary data, the land of the territorial community was illegally re-registered to front companies.

The suspects selected vacant land plots and falsified technical paperwork. They would fabricate information about the existence of houses already built on the plots in order to legitimize the acquisition. Using "pocket" notaries, the criminals entered fake information into state registers.

Through the illegal scheme, the criminals intended to withdraw 75 land plots with a total area of about 7.5 hectares from the ownership of the territorial community. According to preliminary estimates, the value of the land exceeds UAH 100 million.

The criminal proceedings were initiated under the article on unauthorised actions with information processed in automated systems (Part 3 of Article 362 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the article provides for imprisonment for up to 6 years.

In the framework of the criminal proceedings, a number of searches were conducted at the locations of notaries, the Main Department of the State Geocadastre in Kyiv and Kyiv region, executive bodies of the Kyiv City State Administration, the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, private organisations, as well as at the residences of the defendants.

During the search, law enforcement agents siezed documents and other evidence that will be used in criminal proceedings.

The court has now seized the land plots in question.

The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office is providing procedural guidance.