Odesa military recruiter charged for $1M draft dodging fraud
The State Bureau of Investigation has uncovered a large-scale scheme orchestrated by the head of the Prymorskyi district military recruitment center in Odesa, designed to profit from draft dodgers, according to the Bureau's press service.
The official is accused of illegally tampering with the data of 138 individuals liable for military service, falsely declaring them unfit to serve. He manipulated the Oberih conscription registry, charging each man between $4,500 and $7,000 to alter their records. Law enforcement officials report that he amassed at least $1 million from the scheme since July 2023.
Authorities have identified all participants in the scheme; some have fled abroad while others have been taken to military commissariats to correct their data and proceed with conscription.
The official now faces charges under Part 5 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, with a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
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