THE PRICE OF CORRUPTION: Case #13. Black Registrars (Notariat)
This publication is based on official investigation materials from the SSU (Security Service of Ukraine), the Ministry of Justice, and court records from the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). We are breaking down this case to show the real consequences of corrupt abuses in the field of notarial services.
The Essence:
Illegal alienation of real estate and land plots through unauthorized interference in state registries and the use of forged powers of attorney.
The Situation:
Between 2023 and 2025, a group of private notaries, in conspiracy with representatives of criminal circles, organized a “one-click raiding” scheme. Using stolen access keys and forged court decisions, they re-registered ownership rights for real estate objects in the centers of Kyiv and Odesa to strawmen. For a single registration action, notaries received from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the value of the object. The total amount of confirmed damages to property owners exceeded 210 million UAH.
The Bill Paid by Society:
- Destruction of Property Rights. Every citizen is at risk of losing their home or business due to a corrupt registrar, which kills the country’s investment climate.
- Paralysis of the Judicial System. Hundreds of lawsuits for the return of property are processed in courts for years, blocking the normal operation of justice.
- Criminalization of the Real Estate Market. The scheme allows for the legalization of capital obtained through criminal means by repeatedly reselling stolen assets.
The Bill Paid by the Perpetrators (Legal Finale):
- Private Notaries (3 persons) — received 8 years of imprisonment each.
- State Registrar — sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment.
- Full Confiscation: 4 luxury office premises, bank accounts totaling 15 million UAH, and 3 premium-class cars were seized.
- Lifelong Disqualification: Cancellation of the certificate of the right to practice as a notary and a lifelong ban on access to state registries.
Case Sources:
- Official reports from the SSU and the Anti-Raiding Office at the Ministry of Justice.
- Materials from criminal proceedings under Art. 365-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
- Data from Opendatabot monitoring regarding changes in real estate ownership.
We continue to issue these bills.
This publication is part of a series of analytical materials “THE PRICE OF CORRUPTION”. Each such case will be analyzed, and the price will be made public.
To be continued…