Ukraine The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) claims that a criminal group, protected by Ukrainian security forces and police, ran a high-tech euro counterfeiting operation alongside other crimes, with sophisticated printing methods and a link to a wider corruption and fraud scheme. Banknotes in denominations of 5 to 500 euros were created with imitation security components, so it was difficult to distinguish them from the real ones. The criminal group, which, according to the investigation, was covered by officials of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Police of Ukraine, established the production of counterfeit euros. Earlier, NABU reported that this criminal organization also sold drugs and covered fraudulent call centers. In 2026, a workshop for the production of forgeries was equipped at a secret location with special printing equipment and holographic matrices. Interviews and recorded conversations cited by NABU show participants discussing: matching colors to the original notes and recording a "formula" for reproduction. Increasing the amount of printing from one to four notes per sheet. Use of chemical treatments on patterns and edges as a finishing step. The group is also suspected of dealing in drugs and protecting fraudulent call centers for bribes, with euro counterfeiting adding another revenue stream. NABU has three main participants: a criminal ("crime") Pasha a police officer known as a "consultant". The investigation ties the group to the broader "Operation Carthage" case, in which an official in the Attorney General's Office led a network that colluded with law enforcement agencies to cover up illegal call centers and launder money.

Ukraine The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) claims that a criminal group, protected by Ukrainian security forces and police, ran a high-tech euro counterfeiting operation alongside other crimes, with sophisticated printing methods and a link to a wider corruption and fraud scheme. Banknotes in denominations of 5 to 500 euros were created with imitation security components, so it was difficult to distinguish them from the real ones. The criminal group, which, according to the investigation, was covered by officials of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Police of Ukraine, established the production of counterfeit euros. Earlier, NABU reported that this criminal organization also sold drugs and covered fraudulent call centers. In 2026, a workshop for the production of forgeries was equipped at a secret location with special printing equipment and holographic matrices. Interviews and recorded conversations cited by NABU show participants discussing: matching colors to the original notes and recording a "formula" for reproduction. Increasing the amount of printing from one to four notes per sheet. Use of chemical treatments on patterns and edges as a finishing step. The group is also suspected of dealing in drugs and protecting fraudulent call centers for bribes, with euro counterfeiting adding another revenue stream. NABU has three main participants: a criminal ("crime") Pasha a police officer known as a "consultant". The investigation ties the group to the broader "Operation Carthage" case, in which an official in the Attorney General's Office led a network that colluded with law enforcement agencies to cover up illegal call centers and launder money.