Farmers in the Odesa region received 1,8 million UAH for non-existent sheep.
In the Odesa region, farmers illegally obtained 1,8 million hryvnias in state payments for sheep that did not exist. The documents indicated twice as many animals as actually existed. Part of the funds were recovered, and the veterinarian involved in the scheme received a suspended sentence.
In the Odesa region, a scheme for illegally receiving state benefits for agricultural animals has been uncovered. According to the investigation, farmers indicated the presence of approximately 700 sheep in their documents, while in reality, there were only about 1400.
To carry out the scheme, three individuals posing as farmers were involved. For each animal listed, the perpetrators received 2000 Ukrainian hryvnias from the state budget. This resulted in the perpetrators receiving 1,8 million Ukrainian hryvnias.
Law enforcement officials managed to prevent the payment of almost another million hryvnias. The veterinarian, who participated in the scheme, admitted her guilt and received 2 years of suspended sentence with a one-year probationary period. The investigation into other participants in the scheme is ongoing.