31.01.2025 Business of Occupiers Cybercrimes Money laundering

How Ukrainians become victims of political wars of power. The struggle for influence between Kolomoisky and Shevtsova-Degrik

The sanctioned online casino PariMatch continues to operate in Ukraine despite the NSDC restrictions. They continue to withdraw Ukrainians’ funds to Russia and engage duplicate companies in gambling activities.

Among the companies that have connections with PariMatch and continue to operate in Ukraine are:

  • “CITYCODE” LTD (UNIFIED STATE REGISTRATION NUMBER 45358454)
  • GORILLABET LLC (EDRPOU 45300713)
  • PARIMATCH LLC (EDRPOU 43363902)
  • KENDVIT LLC (EDRPOU 44621942)

These companies, along with numerous others, falsify data and deceive players, as well as fail to pay taxes on their income. For example, they use special software to change the amounts of winnings and losses to hide the real income.

Manipulation of Ukrainians’ funds and taxes to the budget

One of the key aspects of fraud is the method of “misdirection” – manipulation of bank transactions to conceal the real origin of money. As a result of such schemes, PariMatch online casino changes transaction codes in banking systems, replacing the gambling code with the computer games code, which allows tax evasion. It works with the help of banks such as JSC IBOX BANK (revoked license), PJSC MTB BANK, and JSC SENS BANK, which help to legalize these transactions.

Games with minimal winnings and manipulation of bonuses

Fraud at PariMatch online casinos also includes dishonest bonus accrual for players. They use bonus programs to manipulate the amount of winnings. This allows them to hide their real tax liabilities, as bonuses on the “loyalty card” are not subject to VAT. As a result, it provides another way to evade taxes.

IBOX Bank and PariMatch withdrawals

A well-known businesswoman, owner of Ayboks Bank and FC Leo and Kolomoisky’s partner, Alyona Shevtsova-Degrik, was actively involved in money laundering schemes involving the Russian online casino PariMatch. 

Thanks to the corrupt BES, prosecutors, and the judiciary, the woman was able not only to avoid responsibility but also to travel freely abroad, avoiding imprisonment, sanctions, and arrests.

During the investigation, it became known that the BES and the prosecutor’s office acted in collusion with Shevtsova, enabling her to avoid justice. In particular, detectives of the BES in Lviv region, under the procedural guidance of prosecutors of the Lviv regional prosecutor’s office, issued resolutions dated 02.05.2024, 14.05.2024, 27.08.2024 to suspend the pre-trial investigation and remove Shevtsova from the wanted list in criminal proceedings 72023000500000071.

Surprisingly, the procedure for removing Shevtsova from the wanted list was carried out so quickly and without any reasonable grounds that it immediately raised suspicions. All available evidence suggests that the BES, the prosecutor’s office and the court deliberately ignored important facts that should have led to further investigation and prevented Shevtsova from leaving Ukraine.

Immediately afterward, Degrick bought herself a seat in the hall at the inauguration of the American president. The cost of this participation was 10 thousand dollars. However, for Shevtsova, it was more than just an event. It was an opportunity to put pressure on Ukrainian politicians and an attempt to show her influence and ties to the United States. Degryk failed to attend the event. But this situation still showed the venality of the law enforcement system in the interests of the fraudster Shevtsova.

Particularly telling is the fact that even after the decision of the Lychakiv District Court of Lviv on November 5, 2024, which canceled the decision to suspend the investigation, the case is still not moving. The lack of response from the BES and the prosecutor’s office indicates that this issue is not a priority for them, or there are certain pitfalls that contribute to the delay in the investigation.

One of the key aspects that emphasizes the scale of corruption is the numerous financial transactions and tax manipulations associated with Ayboks Bank. With assets growing by 10 billion hryvnias a year, questions arise as to the true sources of these funds and whether they are the result of tax schemes that may have involved senior officials from the National Bank of Ukraine.

We demand that this case be handed over to the SBU or the DBR, as we can no longer trust the BES, the prosecutor’s office and judges, who are clearly subject to corrupt influences. A new full and thorough investigation must be conducted into all members of this corrupt group, from law enforcement to judges.

We are once again sending materials to representatives of law enforcement and the justice system. We demand a real response, not just formal investigations.

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Let us know about it. We will help protect the violated rights!

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