Bukovina exam scam busted: Criminals used spy gear to rig driving tests
The National Police of Ukraine reports the exposure of a group of criminals in the Chernivtsi region who organized a scheme to pass theoretical driving exams using spy equipment
"Mini-cameras on clothes and headphones in the ear: this method of passing exams on traffic rules was offered to so-called clients by criminals from the Chernivtsi region. They acted according to a clear, well-established algorithm, where everyone was responsible for their part of the work," the report on the department’s website said on Tuesday.
As reported, one of the defendants, through personal contacts, looked for people who could not independently pass the theoretical exam at the driving test, and offered them full support during the testing. He assured the clients of the success of the scheme and upon completion received a fee from them, which he transferred to the organizer for distribution
Another businessman was responsible for the technical side. Immediately before the exam, he installed a hidden video camera disguised as a button, an item of clothing or an accessory, as well as a miniature wireless earphone, which were practically impossible to notice during a visual inspection. The inventive attacker made all the spy equipment himself, adapting it to different clothes.
"During the exam, the video signal was transmitted in real time to the fourth defendant, who was outside the examination room. Having gained access to the test tasks, he quickly selected the correct answer and transmitted it to the clients via hidden means of communication," the report says.
After a successful transaction, the money was divided among themselves. $1,500 was taken from one client, and they worked in two regions at once - Khmelnytski and Chernivtsi.
Law enforcement officers documented several episodes of the group’s illegal activities. The attackers were detained.
A series of authorized searches were conducted on the suspects, as a result of which equipment for the production of special equipment, ready-made devices and 18 sets of equipped clothing, cash and other evidence of illegal activity were discovered and seized.
Currently, four perpetrators have already been charged under Part 2 of Article 359 (Illegal acquisition, sale or use of special technical means of obtaining information) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the incriminated article provides for a penalty of