Fraudsters profiting from Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s funds detained in Finland

This was reported by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine's (NABU) press service.

On March 11, 2023, three people were detained in the Republic of Finland on suspicion of laundering funds of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry during the purchase of personal protective equipment worth EUR 5.7 million.

"This became possible due to the joint work of NABU detectives, SAPO and employees of the National Bureau of Investigation of the Criminal Police of the Republic of Finland as part of the mechanism of international legal assistance in the relevant criminal proceedings," the NABU said in a statement.

Among the detainees is a representative of a private company that failed to deliver 50% of the purchased and fully paid for bulletproof vests to the Ministry of Defense. The criminals spent part of the money to purchase luxury cars and real estate.

The property of one of the detainees, a Finnish citizen, was seized.

Detectives note that measures are being taken to ensure compensation for the damage caused.

• On February 14, the NABU confirmed the existence of a corruption scheme in the procurement of food by the Defense Ministry and named the prerequisites for abuse.