NABU and SAPO raid Ukraine prosecutor general's office in fraud probe

September 5, 2026 at 07:50 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) searched the Prosecutor General's Office on September 4 as part of an operation targeting a criminal organization allegedly led by a senior official. The office said the probe does not involve Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko and pledged full cooperation. The searches come a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a bill to parliament toughening penalties for fraudulent call centers.

Key Facts

NABU and SAPO announced on September 4 an operation to dismantle a criminal organization involved in protecting fraudulent call centers and laundering assets.
The Prosecutor General's Office said the employee under investigation will be suspended from duties during the pre-trial inquiry.
Ukrainian media reported that Serhiy Kropyva, deputy head of the international legal cooperation department, was detained.
Searches were also reported at the residence of Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa regional military administration.
On September 3, President Zelensky submitted a bill proposing up to 12 years in prison for organizing fraudulent call centers.

The Operation

NABU and SAPO announced the operation on September 4 in a Telegram statement, saying it targeted a criminal organization led by an official of the Prosecutor General's Office. The organization is suspected of protecting a network of fraudulent call centers and laundering assets. The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed the searches and said the investigation does not involve Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. The office stated that the employee under investigation will be suspended from duties during the pre-trial inquiry.

Officials Targeted

Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported that Serhiy Kropyva, deputy head of the international legal cooperation department, was detained. Kropyva previously served as deputy to Oleh Kiper in the Odesa regional administration and worked in the prosecutor general's cyber security department. Searches were also reported at the residence of Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa regional military administration. No official confirmation of the individuals searched or detained has been released.

Legislative Response

On September 3, President Zelensky submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada that would increase penalties for organizing fraudulent call centers. The bill proposes up to 12 years in prison for organizers, up to 10 years for employees, and up to 10 years for landlords renting premises to call centers. The National Police recently shut down 94 fraudulent call centers across Ukraine and seized about $2 million, 64,000 euros, gold bars, and jewelry.