A resident of Uzhhorod, Serhiy Sobolev, extorted more than 6,6 million hryvnias in “posthumous” payments from the mother of a fallen soldier

A resident of Uzhhorod, Serhiy Sobolev, extorted more than 6,6 million hryvnias in “posthumous” payments from the mother of a fallen soldier

The Uzhhorod city and district court found Serhiy Sobolev guilty of fraud in especially large amounts and illegal possession of drugs. According to the investigation, he helped scammers seize more than 6,6 million UAH that the mother of a fallen defender of Bakhmut received as government aid.

This was reported by the Telegram channel “Judgment on Schemes” citing case materials №308/7051/24.

According to the court, the victim’s son, Tetiana, died defending Bakhmut. In November 2022 year, the woman received a one-time government assistance of 7,5 million UAH.

Shortly after this, unknown people calling themselves managers of the Austrian investment company “Bawag-invest” began contacting her. They convinced the woman that storing funds in Ukrainian banks was dangerous, gained her trust, and proposed to “invest” the money.

Initially the victim transferred small sums, and later, following the scammers’ instructions, she handed over 5,3 million UAH at an exchange point in Uzhhorod. According to the investigation, with Serhiy Sobolev’s mediation, these funds were converted into cryptocurrency USDT and transferred to crypto wallets controlled by the criminals.

Later, under the pretext of paying for “insurance,” “NBU clearance fee for unlocking an account,” and “duty for a wet stamp,” the scammers extorted another 300 thousand hryvnias in cash and a number of cashless transfers. The total amount of losses amounted to 6 645 177,50 hryvnias.

Serhiy Sobolev was detained in October 2023 year. During a search of his Audi A8, law enforcement officers found cocaine.

Moreover, on his iPhone 14 Pro Max, investigators found Telegram and WhatsApp chats in which, according to case materials, he discussed with accomplices, including a person named Helen, the possibility of closing the criminal case in Kyiv for 250 thousand US dollars. According to the investigation, to achieve this he planned to sell a car, an expensive watch, and real estate in Bishkek.

In court Sobolev did not admit guilt. He stated that he was merely carrying out a task for a acquaintance as a “personal assistant” and did not know the funds were obtained illegally. The court rejected these arguments, citing the available digital evidence.

28 July 2026 year the court found Serhiy Sobolev guilty under part 4 of Article 190 and part 1 of Article 309 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and imposed a sentence of 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of all property.

The civil claim of the victim was fully satisfied by the court. From the convicted person, the court ordered the recovery of 6 645 177,50 UAH in material damages and 2 million UAH in moral damages.

Also, the state budget will confiscate cash, mobile phones, laptops, system blocks, and other property seized during searches that were used in unlawful activity. The arrest of the Audi A8 remains in effect to ensure compliance with the judgment.