Information has been disseminated in the media about a possible fraud related to the collection of charitable funds by a citizen of Ukraine, who claimed to need to purchase an expensive drug for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. The National Police is taking action.
Information has been disseminated in the media about a possible fraud related to the collection of charitable funds by a citizen of Ukraine, who claimed to need to purchase an expensive drug for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. The National Police is taking action.
In recent days, the scandalous story of Nazariy Gusakov, a boy with a rare disease called SMA (spinal muscular atrophy), for whom Ukrainians massively collected donations both through social networks and the media, as well as with the assistance of many top bloggers, politicians, showbiz representatives, and other public figures, has not subsided. Journalists found out that the funds that Nazariy received as a result of the collections allegedly significantly exceed the needs for his treatment, not to mention the fact that part of the medications were provided by the Lviv City Council.
Nazariy Gusakov was collecting donations for treatment. On June 18, social media users asked him to provide reports. When he failed to do so, he was accused of misusing the donations. Gusakov himself stated that he agreed that separate accounts should have been opened for the collection and receipts for expenses should have been collected, but he did not have the relevant experience.
The investigators' arguments and Gusakov’s position can be read here.
As stated in the statement of the National Police, information about Nazariy Husakov’s critical need for medication was actively disseminated on social networks and the media, in particular by well-known journalists and opinion leaders, which contributed to attracting broad public support and funds.
In June, information was disseminated on the X platform and through Telegram channels, where users expressed concern about the lack of accountability for the funds raised.
It has been previously determined that at least four financial institutions and digital services were used.
Law enforcement officers have initiated criminal proceedings under Part 4 of Article 190 (fraud) and Part 3 of Article 209 (legalization (laundering) of proceeds of crime) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The circle of victims who could have become victims of fraud, as well as the whereabouts of Nazariy Gusakov and other persons who could have assisted him in illegal transactions, is being established.
A pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko regarding the «scandalous and extremely unpleasant situation» surrounding the fees for Nazariy Gusakov and possible cases of fraud.
«Checks of all publicly available information are ongoing. According to preliminary data, at least four financial institutions and many digital services were used. The circle of people who could have been affected by allegedly illegal actions is being established,» the president wrote .
Interestingly, Gusakov left the territory of Ukraine on June 13, his whereabouts and other circumstances are currently being established. Zelensky emphasizes that it is necessary to restore justice and prevent the undermining of trust in the meetings and volunteering in general. There must be a legal response to individual cases of fraud.
Monobank co-founder Oleg Horohovsky also reacted to the situation.
Read the story about millions, crypto, casinos, and SMA here.
