Law enforcement officials in the Lviv region have uncovered a massive fraud scheme orchestrated by former officials of the Drohobych District State Administration. According to the National Police of Ukraine, the suspects manipulated official records over a four-year period, from January 2020 to March 2024. By entering false information, they diverted social security payments to 47 individuals who were ineligible for government aid.
The total damage to the state budget is estimated at nearly 41 million UAH. The defendants are already involved in another criminal proceeding regarding the embezzlement of 8.5 million UAH. Under the current investigation, the former officials are accused of misappropriation and embezzlement through abuse of office, committed repeatedly under martial law.
A third individual has also been charged as an accomplice to the scheme. If convicted, the suspects face up to 12 years in prison, including the forfeiture of property and a ban on holding public office for up to three years. This case highlights the persistent problem of internal corruption in administrative structures, even during wartime. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to ensure all assets are recovered and all participants in this organized fraud are brought to justice. Such systemic abuse of public funds erodes institutional trust and diverts critical resources away from those who legitimately require social support. The scale of the loss underscores the urgent need for enhanced digital oversight of government payment systems to prevent similar exploitation in the future.