The Prosecutor’s Office of Ankara has completed the investigation into the scam involving bulletproof vests destined for Ukraine.

Turkish Minute reported on this.

Six scammers will be sentenced. Four suspects are facing more than 26 years in prison, and two others – up to 31 and a half years.

The Prosecutor’s office filed an indictment on charges of systematic fraud perpetrated by a group of individuals and forgery of official documents.

Fraudsters were supposed to supply personal protective equipment and weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

But after paying the first installment of $5.1 million, Ukraine did not receive the promised goods.

The fraud came to light when Ukraine’s arms procurement representative in Turkey filed a complaint with the Ankara police and Prosecutor’s office on April 7, 2022. Volodymyr Krakovetsky, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry’s Head of public relations, claimed that several Turkish individuals had orchestrated the scam.

At first, representatives of the Ukrainian authorities were initially led to believe that a group in Georgia was willing to donate $70 million to Ukraine to cover the cost of military supplies.

Later, one of the scammers claimed that Ukraine should pay for the shipment of arms and military goods.

Fraudsters were transferred $5.1 million. However, no deliveries were made.

Attempts to contact the Turkish side were unsuccessful, leading to suspicions of fraud.

Cooperation between the Ukrainian and Turkish defense industries continues. Previously, Luch DB and Best Grup showcased a joint remote weapon station.