Racket in Kyiv region: Police detained a gang that extorted 130 thousand dollars from a farmer

Racket in Kyiv region: Police detained a gang that extorted 130 thousand dollars from a farmer

In the Kyiv region, the activities of a group of extortionists have been halted. The criminals resorted to threats, physical violence, and blackmail involving a child to obtain $130,000 of a fictitious debt from a female farmer.

This was reported by the press service of the National Police of Ukraine. The suspects face up to 12 years in prison.

"During the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement officers established that the victim is a 47-year-old resident of the Kyiv region engaged in farming. Arriving at the woman’s yard, the perpetrators claimed that her son allegedly had debt obligations and began demanding money. In case of refusal, they threatened to harm members of her family," the press service reported.

Under pressure, the woman handed over $11,300 to the extortionists, but the threats did not stop. Instead, the amount of the "debt" increased to over $130,000.

Later, one of the active members of the group turned to representatives of the criminal underworld with a request to recommend authoritative figures known in the criminal circles of the capital region. To intensify psychological pressure on the victim’s family and demonstrate their power, the perpetrators enlisted the support of 37-year-old twin brothers, known in criminal circles as the "Twins." The extortionists presented them as individuals who supposedly guaranteed the victims no further problems after the money was handed over.

"Over a long period, the perpetrators repeatedly inflicted bodily harm on the victim’s husband. The day before the agreed date for the money transfer, due to constant threats and fear for his family, the man suffered a stroke. Additionally, members of the criminal group threatened the victim with the abduction of her daughter for further blackmail," the press service added.

Eventually, after prolonged pressure, the woman sought help from law enforcement, reporting the extortion, violence, and threats against her family. Since the farmer did not have the full amount of the "debt," she was allowed to "pay off" in installments.

At the beginning of January, the victim handed over 85,000 hryvnias to two perpetrators near her home. At the same time, other members of the group were nearby, monitoring the transfer of the money. Police detained the criminals while they were receiving another portion of the fictitious debt in the amount of $38,000. The transfer of funds followed a similar scheme near the victim’s house. A 34-year-old co-organizer of the group was also detained.

The perpetrators have been charged with extortion. Law enforcement officers are also working to locate another member of the criminal group to hold them criminally accountable.