Massive searches at Ukrzaliznytsia facilities in case regarding abuses by officials

The National Police, with the support of Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian railways), is carrying out investigative actions related to abuses by officials involved in international passenger transportation.

The National Police reports this on Facebook, as cited by Ukrinform.

According to the report, the investigation concerns a criminal case involving a group of officials within Ukrzaliznytsia’s division, who abused their power during the servicing and transportation of passengers on international train routes. These actions led to significant financial losses and created an artificial shortage of tickets on the most popular routes available for free sale.

On the morning of Wednesday, December 11, the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police, Kyiv police investigators, and the Solomianskyi District Prosecutor’s Office, with the involvement of Ukrzaliznytsia’s Corporate Security Department employees, are conducting searches at the homes of those involved in the criminal schemes, as well as at the office premises of the Ukrzaliznytsia division. Additionally, searches are taking place on international trains during their departures and arrivals.

The authorities are asking passengers to understand the situation and cooperate with the police in fulfilling their duties. All details will be made public after the completion of the investigative actions, according to the National Police.

As reported by Ukrinform, in November, the Kyiv police uncovered a scheme involving the resale of international train tickets at three times the regular price.

The high demand for rail travel led to the appearance of a "black market" and individuals seeking to illegally profit from reselling tickets for the most sought-after routes, the report said.

The investigation found that the perpetrators, gaining unauthorized access to third-party accounts, purchased tickets for popular train routes to European countries, creating an artificial scarcity. The criminals then resold the tickets at three times their original price on various online platforms, including in Telegram channel groups.

As part of the criminal investigation, the police identified at least five offenders and conducted several searches at their residences in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, where they seized computer equipment and gadgets containing third-party account details, bank cards, and a large number of purchased tickets for various routes.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 190, Part 4 (fraud) and Article 361, Part 5 (unauthorized interference with the work of automated information systems, electronic communication systems, and communication networks during wartime) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.