Evgeny Shevtsov: Steal millions – extinguish the "chocolate"
Nepotism is a beloved Ukrainian tradition. No appointment in Ukraine is complete without "any friend" who will help and assist. The selection of a previously unknown, almost honest cop, Yevhen Shevtsov, a protégé of the Minister of Internal Affairs, for a key position in the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was no exception. Arsen Avakov and Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine Igor Kupranets.
And why not? What's wrong with an important position being filled by a person from the masses, rather than a familiar talking head? the average Ukrainian would almost rightly be outraged. Actually, there's nothing wrong with that, were it not for one "but." The fact is, Yevhen Shevtsov is unknown as a law enforcement officer; even the National Police website tells you nothing about him.
Evgeny Shevtsov: Steal millions – extinguish the "chocolate"
Our hero is known only as a millionaire, a financial swindler, and a defendant in criminal cases. So, why would someone who has everything serve the state when they can work for themselves and earn many times more? Let's try to figure it out.
Evgeny Shevtsov. The Unknown "Phantomas"
Google Yevgeny Aleksandrovich Shevtsov. You'll find nothing beyond the fact that he's a candidate for a vacancy at the State Bureau of Investigation. There's no biography, no information about his exploits in the service. All that's known is that he currently works as a deputy head of a department within the Main Investigative Department of the National Police. However, even the National Police website doesn't mention this. Apparently, his work results match those of the subject of our article. And it's simply impossible to even find a photo of him. Why is that?
The fact is that as soon as the list of candidates for the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) became publicly available, Shevtsov's people immediately began scrubbing all information about their boss. Some websites managed to remove compromising articles through threats, while others had to be ransomed for inconvenient material. Moreover, the information purge affected not only Shevtsov's persona, but also his wife, Alena Shevtsova (née). According to the information, Skelet.OrgOver $200 was spent on buying incriminating evidence from the media. That's why leading Ukrainian media outlets have now replaced scandalous investigations with PR articles about the police officer's wife and dirt on her opponents. However, they still couldn't recreate the image of the Shevtsov family as squeaky clean—you can't hide an awl in a sack.
Therefore, almost every day, the Shevtsovs have to purge the dirt from the most widely read websites such as "112," "Komsomolskaya Pravda," "Segodnya," "Obozrevatel," and "Vesti," and pay for the placement of PR materials on these resources.
Evgeny Shevtsov: Steal millions – extinguish the "chocolate"
Evgeny Shevtsov: Steal millions – extinguish the "chocolate"
"He is currently the deputy head of the department – head of a division in the Main Investigative Department of the National Police. This means he will be directly involved in the investigation. The Kyiv property was acquired long before he assumed his current position; it is owned by Shevtsov's wife. A 2016 foreign car is also registered in her name. Shevtsov's wife is one of the most successful female businesswomen in Ukraine. They have not been involved in any scandals," notes Obozrevatel, as quoted by Komsomolskaya Pravda. who recently wrote about the suspicious income of candidates for the State Bureau of Investigation.
Evgeny Shevtsov: Steal millions – extinguish the "chocolate"
Love and millions
For the hero of the film "Love and Doves," his wife and a flock of birds were enough to keep him happy. But that's not the case with Yevgeny Shevtsov. Besides his millionaire wife, he needs immodest gifts to keep his passion burning, which his beloved Alyonushka gives him every year.
So, if we analyze Shevtsov's last two declarations, it becomes clear that our hero's honest income is rather poor, but he has enough for red caviar thanks to part-time jobs at his wife's companies.
Shevtsov's 2017 declaration states that in 2016, he earned UAH 40,854 while working for his wife's company, LeoGaming Pay LLC. His own business earned him another UAH 10,000. He also earned UAH 5,458 while working for the National Police of Ukraine's Department of Economic Protection, and UAH 100,515 from his work at the National Police. Furthermore, Yevhen Shevtsov sold some securities worth a whopping UAH 100.
It's noteworthy that this year Shevtsov received a particularly valuable cash gift from his wife—6,215,000 hryvnias. He had declared a similar gift the year before. Incidentally, it's surprising that during the background check on Shevtsov's candidacy, no one noticed that, firstly, he immediately assumed a leadership position with no experience whatsoever, and secondly, while serving in the civil service, Yevgeny Aleksandrovich was involved in business and held corporate rights, which is strictly prohibited and falls under the corruption statute.
It's worth noting that Shevtsov's income declaration, filed in 2016, shows a much lower figure. He earned UAH 35,090 at the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv, UAH 50,319 from his work at Leogaming Pay, and UAH 984,999 from his entrepreneurial activities. Meanwhile, thanks to Business Retail Group LLC, Shevtsov earned tax-exempt income (UAH 7,200,000), and thanks to Terra Premium Group LLC, his wallet grew by an additional UAH 100,000.
Shevtsov owns neither movable nor immovable property, as everything he's earned through hard labor is registered in his wife's name. His only valuables are a Rolex, purchased in 2016, and a Merkel shotgun, acquired a year earlier. Furthermore, Yevgeny Aleksandrovich has 123 hryvnias, practically his entire annual income, tucked away under his pillow for a rainy day, in case his wife no longer shows her generosity and doesn't give him several million.
It is worth emphasizing that, at the time of filing the application with the State Bureau of Investigation, Shevtsov retained financial obligations to TERRA PREMIUM GROUP LLC in the amount of UAH 100,000. However, his corporate rights to this company (UAH 7,300,000) and his rights to BUSINESS RETAIL GROUP LLC (UAH 100) had disappeared. Furthermore, Shevtsov ceased to be the ultimate beneficiary of TERRA PREMIUM GROUP LLC and BUSINESS RETAIL GROUP LLC.
However, he no longer needs these companies, as in 2015, Shevtsov received financial assistance in the amount of UAH 7.2 million from BUSINESS RETAIL GROUP LLC, and UAH 100,000 from TERRA PREMIUM GROUP LLC. Simply put, our hero has withdrawn all capital from his companies. This is hardly surprising, as he and his wife have been using this scheme for years. The Shevtsovs own dozens of different companies, most of them shell companies, shell companies, or whatever you want to call them. But their essence is the same: to launder money and move it offshore.
As for Alena Shevtsova, in 2016 she declared UAH 10,869 from FC LEOGAMING PAY LLC, UAH 32,412 from LEO PARTNERS LLC, and UAH 32,412 from LEOGAMING LLC. Alena Shevtsova's income from entrepreneurial activities amounted to UAH 4,941,846.
Fate was generous with surprises in 2016, so a certain Yulia Vladimirovna Nikulina presented Alena with a cash gift – 3 million hryvnias. That year, the law enforcement officer's wife also accrued interest on her bank accounts, totaling 447,561 hryvnias and 1,198,952 hryvnias. At that time, Alena Vladimirovna had two amounts in her bank accounts – 9,631,983 hryvnias and 5,143,764 hryvnias. A year earlier, the bank held only 700,000 hryvnias. Today, Shevtsova has $20,000 in cash.
In 2015, Alena Shevtsova’s business activities brought her income in the amount of 5 million 972 thousand 135 UAH, profit from Leogaming LLC amounted to 50 thousand 348 UAH.
Shevtsova's real estate includes a 1000 sq. m. plot of land in the Boryspil district, purchased in 2015, a 93,4 sq. m. apartment in Kyiv, purchased in 2013 for 10,074,024 UAH, another 62,9 sq. m. apartment in the capital, purchased in 2015 for 669,975 UAH, and a 349,7 sq. m. house in the Boryspil district, purchased by an unknown legal entity registered abroad, is also registered to Shevtsova.
Incidentally, in 2015, Alena Shevtsova, together with the notorious Vladislav Filimonov (more on this person later), purchased a non-residential property with an area of 587,8 square meters for 1 million 456 thousand 960 UAH.
Shevtsova also owns a 2016 Range Rover VOGUE (purchased in 2017). Interestingly, in 2016, she also owned a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL350 (purchased in 2015), which disappeared without a trace a year later.
Shevtsova owns the corporate rights of LEOGAMING LLC - 99% (4 thousand 950 UAH), FC LEOGAMING PAY LLC - 100% (7 million 200 thousand 100 UAH), INVEST PAY LLC - 0,01% (730 UAH), LEO EDUCATION LLC - 52% (22 thousand 880 UAH).
Today, Alena Vladimirovna is the ultimate beneficiary of LEOGAMEING LLC, FC LEOGAMEING PAY LLC, FC LEOGAMEING PAY LLC, LEO EDUCATION LLC and LEO EDUCATION LLC.
Alena Degrik. What's the secret to the success of the future State Bureau of Investigation's wife?
Alena Degrik is not a woman, but simply a fire, or rather a passing red banner from Roman Nasirov To Shevtsov. The ex-lover of the former head of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine has become known as the "laundering queen." All thanks to her and her ex-lover laundering hundreds of millions of dollars through online games banned in Ukraine and sending them to offshore accounts.
Alena Degrik (Shevtsova)
The essence of the scam is simple: stolen millions passed through dozens of companies opened by Alena Degrik and were sent abroad.
It's worth noting that some of the operating companies have been involved in criminal cases for a long time. The reasons are the same: money laundering, illegal gambling, and even financing militants in the LPR/DPR region. Meanwhile, the companies continue to operate, and investigators turn a blind eye to their illegal activities.
As an example, it's worth citing last year's ruling by the Pridneprovsky District Court of Cherkasy, which states in black and white: "It has been established that citizen Shevtsova (Degrik) A.V., in collusion with Tymchak A.I., Grechany O.A., and Shevtsov E.A., created an illegal mechanism for the legalization of proceeds from crime during the import of digital/electronic goods and services from banks, non-bank financial institutions, and other business entities."
The document also states that Shevtsova created fictitious companies to cash out funds and launder income. Notably, Yevgeny Shevtsov became involved in the criminal case while already serving in the National Police, but this did not negatively impact his career; on the contrary, it led to career advancement.
Incidentally, Degrik herself isn't particularly concerned about this; she doesn't even change the legal address and phone number used to register her old companies and to register new ones. It's also worth noting that Nasirov transferred some of his assets to the child he shares with Alena, thereby protecting himself from confiscation.
Let's summarize briefly and thereby answer the question: who is covering up the financial fraud of Alena Degrik and her husband.
Today, Degrik has been linked to the former Party of Regions; she was once the chairperson of the Young Regions organization in the Pechersk district of Kyiv and even ran for election as a party candidate. Sergei Tigipko.
Her connection with Mr. Nasirov, with whose help she laundered $120 million, is also indisputable.
Degrik's business is closely intertwined with Yevgeny Filimonov, the son of the former first deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kyiv and the Kyiv region. Filimonov was fired for bribery, and $2 million was discovered during a search of his home. As we previously reported, Alena Vladimirovna is 50/50 with him in the purchase of the non-residential premises.
In addition, Degrik is part of the close circle of the head of the National Bank Yakova Smoliya, as evidenced by her regular public statements in the press in support of the regulator's initiatives.
And then it's completely unclear why, with such protection, Shevtsova-Degrik needs the squeaky-clean reputation she's trying to cultivate by buying the placement of necessary articles and the deletion of unnecessary ones online. The answer is simple: firstly, the "queen of the car wash" doesn't want to tarnish the reputation of the newly appointed SBI investigator, that is, her husband, Yevgeny Shevtsov. Secondly, after her husband settles into a comfortable office, Degrik, with her law degree, is tipped for at least a good position in one of the law enforcement agencies, or at most, a spot on the election list. Why? Yes, to make it even easier and more efficient to launder money and funnel public funds to offshore accounts.
Alena Shevtsova (Degrik)
Why do we need Evgeny Shevtsov?
"From rags to riches"—this saying applies to Shevtsov in the exact opposite way: from riches to rags. Why would a successful millionaire throw in the towel at 32 and become a cop?
As it turns out, the devil is in the details. First and foremost, any friend of Avakov needed a prominent position to worm their way into a more prominent position in the future, even if it was within the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), since Arsen needs his people everywhere. Especially since the SBI plans to investigate crimes committed by officials and important government figures. Incidentally, no one has forgotten about Avakov's son's backpacks yet, and it's not a given that the team will be involved tomorrow. Poroshenko The FAS won't allow the GPU and NABU to snuff out the Avakovs again. And then Arsen will need to strike back. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is powerless in that case, but the State Bureau of Investigation would be just the thing. That's why a comrade from outside the police clan, with no education or any aptitude for investigative work, was delegated to the bureau. Shevtsov is a friend, just a friend, not a cop, not a professional, just a creature.
How did they choose Shevtsov? Actually, they didn't. Even before the selection process began, the members of the selection committee simply received a list of the 27 approved candidates. candidates had his last name.
And even though Yevgeny Shevtsov's financial situation has raised numerous questions from the public, and Alexander Lemenov, a member of the State Bureau of Investigation's No. 1 internal competition committee, called his income "fantastic," no one is rushing to remove Shevtsov from the State Bureau of Investigation's list.
"We'll ask Mr. Truba to pay special attention to those who will head the relevant departments, especially the Investigative Department... While reviewing their biographies and net worths, I was surprised by several names that I'd really like to highlight. First and foremost, Yevgeny Shevtsov. I can't imagine how his and his wife's careers could have developed, given that they both have fantastic incomes," said Alexander Lemenov.
This position was also supported by People's Deputy Mustafa Nayem, who named Shevtsov among the candidates for positions in the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), who had raised questions, in particular about the origin of their wealth.
But in the end, no investigations were conducted into the millionaire and his wife's alleged connections. And this is no accident. Unlike Ms. Shevtsova, her husband has a completely different purpose today. In his new position, Arsen Avakov plans to use him as a pressure mechanism against the NABU team. Artem Sytnik, or, more simply, Petro Poroshenko. It's no secret that the State Bureau of Investigation is being created as a counterweight to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). And everything hidden behind the curtain of these two organizations, which profit from taxpayers' money, is a political game between two camps—Poroshenko's camp and Avakov's. Ultimately, the entire work of the NABU and the State Bureau of Investigation will be reduced to digging up dirt and opening criminal cases against undesirable opponents, which, as always, leaves the people of Ukraine at a disadvantage, while those like Shevtsov profit from it.
Valeria Romanova, for Skelet.Org
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