Two residents of Dnipro attempted to walk to Transnistria for $13,000.

Operatives from the Odessa Border Guard Unit, in collaboration with the SBU and National Police, uncovered a criminal group that facilitated illegal border crossings for individuals seeking to evade mobilization. This information was reported by "Vydomo" citing GPSU.

The mastermind behind the scheme was a 25-year-old resident of the Podolsky district in the Odessa region, who recruited two accomplices for his activities. The men used social media to search for clients, offering illegal border crossings for a fee ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 US dollars.

Law enforcement established that the criminals promised to transport two residents of Dnipro to Moldova through the Transnistrian segment of the border for 13,000 US dollars.

To execute their "travel" plan, the men traveled to Odessa, where they were met by two accomplices who subsequently took them to a meeting with the scheme's organizer. He provided them with instructions on how to cross the border, advised them on the best ways to disguise themselves, and assured them that he would personally drive them to the border area.

However, the plan was thwarted: law enforcement apprehended the organizer "in the act" while he was receiving money from men of conscription age. His accomplices were detained at their locations.

During searches of the vehicles and properties of the suspects, money obtained through criminal means, vehicles, mobile phones, and other evidence confirming the illegal activities were seized.

The offenders have been arrested and are facing charges under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for "Illegal transport of individuals across the state border of Ukraine," which carries a penalty of up to nine years in prison with asset confiscation.

The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement is identifying other individuals who may be involved in the criminal scheme.