Under the procedural guidance of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, two individuals engaged in wholesale trade of tobacco products have been notified of suspicion for misappropriating goods for which they did not make payment, resulting in losses for the bank that guaranteed the transaction.

It has been established that a supply contract with a two-week payment deferral was concluded between the suspects and a Swiss company – the manufacturer of tobacco products. A commercial bank acted as the guarantor for the obligations under this contract, ensuring payment in case of non-payment by the buyers.

In 2024, the suspects received a shipment of tobacco products from the foreign company with a total value of over 143 million UAH, which was pledged to the bank. They did not make payment for the goods.

As a result, the bank, as the guarantor of the transaction, was forced to pay the supplier the entire amount, including over 128 million UAH – from its own funds. Part of the cost of the goods was covered using the funds of the enterprise that remained in its accounts.

The individuals who caused losses to the bank have been notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, specifically for misappropriation of someone else's property 

The sanction of the article provides for imprisonment for up to 12 years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.

The investigation is ongoing.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police in Kyiv with operational support from the Cybercrime Prevention Department of the Cyber Police of Ukraine.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.