A scheme to forge seamen’s documents was exposed in Odesa
6.02.2023 - 17:10
The Prosecutor General’s Office exposed the corruption scheme of Odesa seaport officials — they illegally continued the stay of Ukrainian mariners abroad.
Officials of the Office (service) of the captain of the Odesa seaport produced fictitious documents for the continuation of the sailors’ stay abroad, without their presence.
According to the investigation, officials entered fictitious information into official documents and independently prepared the personal files of sailors who were abroad and wanted to avoid mobilization.
The sailors applied to the port officials through their agents, who also forwarded the prepared documents abroad. The cost of such services ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 US dollars.
According to this scheme, only during February-May 2022, officials issued more than 100 certificates to sailors who were actually abroad, the press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office reported.
During searches of the office premises of the Odesa port captain’s office (service), business entities, and at the place of residence of the exposed persons, documents, personal files of sailors to whom certificates were issued, as well as seals, draft records and money were seized.
After conducting a number of procedural measures, the issue of reporting suspicions to persons involved in the scheme will be resolved.
