Illegal encashment center busted in Kyiv raid, Kurchenko’s companies affected

"We suppressed the activity of 22 encashment centers; UAH 376 million was seized from their counterparties," said Roman Nasirov, head of the SFS, at a press conference on the results of the SFS activities in May-August, 2015.

These centers were in fact organized criminal groups, comprised of up to 40 companies engaged in illegal activities.

Read alsoSBU accuses coal supplier to Centrenergo of financing terrorismAccording to Serhiy Belan, first deputy chief of the SFS, on September 3, the law enforcement officers have identified an encashment center in Kyiv, which served interests of several business structures including those of Serhiy Kurchenko, owner of group of companies VETEK, a businessman believed to be close to the so-called Yanukovych family – entourage of Ukraine’s ousted ex-president.

Read alsoSBU blocks VAT refunds to Akhmetov’s businesses registered in so-called DPR"We revealed an encashment center with a UAH 2 billion turnover, which also served the interests of the notorious Kurchenko’s companies," he said.

According to him, the SFS officials seized stamps of the illegal businesses and three armored vehicles used to transport cash.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Roman Nasirov said the shadow economy in Ukraine had been taking UAH 3 billion from the state budget each month.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, 47% of Ukraine’s economy remains in the shadow.