The Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General, achieved the extradition to Ukraine of two citizens of Azerbaijan and Georgia, who are suspected of creating a channel for the supply and sale of counterfeit US dollars.

According to the investigation, the perpetrators acted as part of a criminal group that smuggled counterfeit bills through the temporarily occupied Crimea to the mainland of Ukraine. The sale was conducted through a specially created Telegram channel, and delivery was made via postal offices and in person. The cost of the counterfeit dollars was 50–60% of their nominal value.

In August 2021, after another sale of counterfeit currency, the suspects were exposed. They were notified of suspicion under Part 2 and Part 3 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (acquisition, storage, transportation, and sale of counterfeit foreign currency).

In order to avoid responsibility, they fled abroad and were placed on the international wanted list. After reviewing the extradition request, German authorities handed the suspects over to Ukrainian law enforcement.

Currently, both have been remanded in custody without the right to bail.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. It is being conducted by investigators from the police department in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

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.