The actions of the officers of the Bieszczady Border defender Branch and the Industrial territory Attorney's Office were a spectacular success. As a consequence of respective years of investigation, 42 people of this 8 were arrested in custody with a value of PLN 1 million and printers with more than 12,000 fake papers were released.
The investigation began in 2020, erstwhile officers of the SG Operations and Investigation Group in Korczowa, Podkarpacie stopped a foreigner utilizing a false driving licence At first glance, it was an incident, many at borders. However, further analysis led investigators to a criminal network dealing with paper counterfeiting and money laundering on a immense scale. The case was immediately handled by the Industrial territory Attorney's Office and the investigation gained global support.
The criminal group, which included citizens of Ukraine and Belarus, was active in falsifying both Polish and abroad authoritative documents. The offered counterfeits included passports, visas, identity cards, residence cards, driving licences, medical and intellectual certificates, employment contracts and registration certificates. This activity has become a constant origin of income for the group and false papers have enabled illegal immigrants to legalise their stay in Europe and operate without having to comply with legal requirements.
The members of the group had circumstantial tasks. any of them were active in producing papers and providing them to customers in Poland and the countries of the European Union. Others were liable for beginning bank accounts and transferring funds from criminal activity. The mechanics of action of the group was well thought out. Clients ordered papers online on both websites and social networks. The interesting thing was the functioning of a circumstantial client service office that contacted buyers and answered their questions, Before the order was finalized, customers received a photograph of the finished paper for inspection. The price of 1 counterfeit was on average EUR 1.5 thousand.
The first illegal printery was revealed in Katowice in 2021. There, people liable for producing and distributing fake papers were detained, which were sent to customers via global courier companies. In subsequent years, officers found further places related to the group's activities. In 2023 another description was discovered in Katowice, where printing equipment was confiscated authoritative seals and cash, as well as 7,000 fake papers were secured. 2 Ukrainian citizens were arrested in the act. The next hit occurred in Gdańsk, where officers of the Marine SG Branch found another 2,000 false papers prepared for dispatch. In 2024 another associate of the group liable for sending false papers to the recipients throughout Europe was detained in Krakow.
The latest implementation of the investigation took place in December 2024 in Katowice. The officers of the Bieszczady Branch of SG with the support of the SG office and the Europol Office have detained 7 persons. Suspects heard serious charges, including participation in an organized crime group, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and cover up traces of criminal activity.
Since the beginning of the investigation, Border defender officers and prosecutors have secured a immense amount of evidence. 42 suspects were detained as part of the investigation. 8 people were arrested. The property worth PLN 1 million was secured, more than 12 1000 false papers were detected, printing equipment and false authoritative seals were taken over. The detainees will answer to the court for their actions and their trial may have far-reaching consequences for organised crime in Europe
The success of Border defender officers and the Industrial territory Attorney's Office is simply a immense blow to global organised crime. Thanks to effective action, 1 of the most serious falsification practices in Europe, which not only enabled illegal immigration, was besides a threat to public security. The investigation showed how well organised criminal groups are and how crucial global cooperation is in the fight against specified activities. Breaking up this network is not only a triumph of Polish services, but besides a clear signal that the fight against paper forgery and money laundering will proceed and those liable for these actions will endure consequences.
Photo and video for: Guardian. en
