Former Tax Officials Detained with New Allegations of Massive Corruption and Fraud
A former high-ranking official of Ukraine’s tax service, previously holding influential positions in the State Fiscal Service, has been detained once again amid new charges related to large-scale abuse and corruption.
According to investigators, Yevhen Bambizov, currently held in detention, is implicated in organizing an extensive scheme that caused significant financial damage to the national budget.
The Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office reports that he faces accusations of abuse of office, which resulted in losses exceeding 108 million hryvnias.Court documents reveal that during his tenure in the Central Office for the servicing of large taxpayers, Bambizov issued illegal directives to subordinates to prepare letters to the State Treasury, instructing them to suspend or deny VAT refund claims for a private enterprise.
These actions aimed to delay verification processes, although Bambizov was aware that the company legally qualified for VAT refunds.
As a result, the enterprise did not receive refunds for VAT paid in February-April 2015, leading to delayed payments, penalties, and a court case that ultimately resulted in the recovery of nearly 108 million hryvnias in penalties.This scheme culminated in a legal investigation, and Bambizov was charged with organizing a conversion center—a criminal scheme enabling firms to evade taxes totaling over 1.5 billion hryvnias between 2023 and 2025.
In September, a court ordered his arrest with a bail set at 119 million hryvnias.
Bambizov remains in custody, and the bail has yet to be paid.
Prosecutors emphasize that the investigation continues, and all those involved in this corruption scheme will be held accountable.