In the Odesa region, authorities have arrested five suspects involved in a criminal group dedicated to extorting money from residents. All individuals are currently in custody and face up to 12 years in prison along with asset confiscation.

The operation was carried out by the SBU in collaboration with local police and prosecutors. The group's leader, a 26-year-old man with a history of convictions, orchestrated the criminal activities and recruited four accomplices aged between 22 and 33, two of whom also had criminal records.

These criminals targeted their victims, threatening physical violence and demanding payment for fictitious debts. Police documented several extortion cases, including one where they took $600 from a victim and 8000 hryvnias from another.

The arrests occurred while the suspects were receiving the second installment of $7000. During searches, law enforcement discovered mobile phones and other evidence related to their criminal activities.

The suspects have been charged with extortion committed by an organized group, and the court has imposed pre-trial detention measures. Investigations are ongoing.