Scammer from Dnipro embezzled 1.5 million UAH, exploiting people seeking to vacation abroad.

Odessa police informed a 46-year-old resident of Dnipro about charges of fraud. According to the investigation, a woman posing as a travel agent embezzled nearly 1.5 million hryvnias. This was reported by "Vidomo," referencing the GUNP in the Odessa region.

According to the investigation, the 46-year-old woman from Dnipro assisted eager Odessa residents in organizing vacations abroad through social media. She offered intermediary services for booking hotels in Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, purchasing plane tickets, providing travel consultations, and more. Trusting clients visited a rented office where they signed contracts. Subsequently, payments were made for services that they never received.

It turned out that the fraudster created fake contracts and transferred the funds to her own accounts. She made excuses to her clients and eventually stopped communicating altogether. This was reported by the GUNP of the Odessa region.

"The offender did not fulfill the terms of the contract, did not transfer clients' funds to travel operators, and used the money at her discretion. To some clients who had paid and were waiting for their vacations abroad, she claimed that the service was delayed due to the expiration of the license and the need for renewal. To others, she complained about a travel operator that allegedly refused the order and promised to refund the money. However, she eventually ceased all communication with the clients," the police stated.

Sixteen victims approached the police. The woman deceived them out of 1.5 million hryvnias. The fraudsters have been notified of suspicion of fraud, particularly committed repeatedly and in large amounts (parts 1, 2, 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The suspect faces up to 8 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.