Scam involving the real estate of deceased citizens for over UAH 10 million: members of a criminal organization will be tried in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Law enforcement officers have arrested 7 individuals involved in a scheme to sell apartments owned by deceased citizens. Evidence has been collected regarding the misappropriation of apartments of 9 citizens with a total value of over 10 million hryvnias. Another participant in the organization has been declared wanted. The group's main "specialty" was the search, re-registration, and sale of apartments whose owners had passed away, had no heirs, or hadn't claimed their inheritance. They helped the organizer execute the real estate transfers with the involvement of 8 accomplices.

In August 2022, the police put an end to the activities of this criminal organization and arrested 7 suspects. Subsequent investigations proved the involvement of these individuals in the unlawful acquisition of 9 apartments belonging to deceased citizens. The group earned over 10 million hryvnias from selling these properties. Charges against the organizer and the 7 participants in the criminal organization have been sent to court based on several articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code:

- Part 1 and 2 of Article 255 (creation and participation in a criminal organization).
- Part 3 and 4 of Article 190 (fraud).
- Part 4 of Article 358 (forging an official document notarized for use by another person, committed by a criminal organization).

Another member of the group has been declared wanted. The accused individuals may face up to 12 years of imprisonment with property confiscation.

Here are a few tips from law enforcement on how to protect yourself from fraudsters:

1. Carefully verify not only the legal documents but also the property's history, such as when it was purchased, and talk to neighbors.
2. Conduct real estate transactions through your notary or attorney, and verify information with the municipal registry.
3. Before finalizing a sale contract, thoroughly research information about the seller and the property from available public sources.
4. If a deposit is necessary, use a notarized preliminary agreement before transferring the money.
5. If a property has changed ownership multiple times in the past year or two through powers of attorney, consider avoiding the purchase, regardless of the attractive price.