Military Donations Collector in Kharkov Misappropriates Funds for Personal Use

In the city of Kharkiv, a 31-year-old con artist was called out for swindling citizens, pretending to gather funds for the Ukrainian military forces.

According to the investigation, this shrewd character fabricated a phony Facebook account under the name Oleg Reshetnyak, frequently posting appeals for donations supposedly intended for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, instead of transferring funds to the military, he funneled the money into his own bank account for personal use.

To dodge law enforcement detection, the cunning impostor abandoned using a SIM card and relied on public Wi-Fi networks. He communicated with potential victims under an alias to further shield his identity.

This cunning trickster now faces charges of repeating fraud (Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Back in March, similar deception was unveiled in Khmelnytskyi, where so-called volunteers were found selling automobiles meant for the military.

Now, let's delve into the broader context behind such instances of military fundraising fraud in Ukraine. Unfortunately, this issue persists, with numerous cases pointing towards systemic oversight challenges exacerbated by war conditions and digital fundraising risks.

Key Developments and Regulatory Measures

In May 2025, a pseudo-volunteer was exposed in Sumy, having defrauded ten individuals while posing as a fundraiser for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[1]
In February 2025, the Security Service exposed a fraudulent scheme involving $3.24 million in Defense Ministry funds intended for military food procurement.[2]
Over 2,000 cybercrime cases involving virtual assets were reported in 2024, with some linked to military fundraising fraud.[3]

While the exact frequency remains unclear, these cases underscore the need for stricter oversight.

Regulations and Guidelines

SBU Investigations: The Security Service actively pursues embezzlement and fraud cases, as demonstrated by the February 2025 bust.[2]
Transparency Mandates:
Public Fund Tracking: Legitimate organizations often publish donation records or employ blockchain technology for transparency, such as crypto donations.[1]
Registration Requirements: Genuine fundraising initiatives typically register with authorities or partner with recognized charities, like "United24."[1]
Public Awareness Campaigns:
Verify fundraising pages through official military or government portals.
Avoid unverified social media appeals and cross-check payment recipients with registered entities.

Authorities are increasingly focusing on anti-corruption measures in light of EU accession demands, including tighter procurement oversight and whistleblower protection.[2] However, the lack of robust verification in decentralized fundraising channels, such as Telegram, remains a high-risk factor.

The fraudulent actions of a con artist in Kharkiv, who pretended to gather funds for the Ukrainian military forces, were recently exposed, highlighting the issue of military fundraising fraud in the country.
This incident comes after a pseudovalue was unveiled in Sumy in May 2025, having defrauded ten individuals while posing as a fundraiser for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Security Service of Ukraine has been actively pursuing embezzlement and fraud cases, as demonstrated by the February 2025 bust that exposed a fraudulent scheme involving $3.24 million in Defense Ministry funds intended for military food procurement.
To avoid falling victim to military fundraising fraud, it is recommended to verify fundraising pages through official military or government portals, and to cross-check payment recipients with registered entities.