- Two Ukrainian nationals arrested in Utah in an alleged money laundering scheme.
- Damir Ovsiannikov and Liubomyr Prokopchuck were arrested for investigation of fraud and conspiracy.
- Police say they intercepted them during a third pickup attempt involving gold and cash.
LOGAN — Two Ukrainian nationals have been arrested in northern Utah for their alleged roles in what police are calling "an elaborate money laundering operation."
Damir Ovsiannikov, 18, and Liubomyr Prokopchuck, 27, were each booked into the Cache County Jail for investigation of money laundering, communications fraud and criminal conspiracy.
The investigation began when a 78-year-old Logan man contacted police claiming he had been "scammed out of cash and gold," according to a police booking affidavit. The man said he was contacted by someone "claiming to be an agent of the federal government" who told him that "to protect his money and clear a case," he needed to give funds to couriers who would be sent to his home.
Logan police on Thursday said they were still investigating how the alleged perpetrators found the victim, but they do not believe he was part of any legitimate law enforcement case.
On two visits in March and April, the man gave approximately $300,000 worth of gold coins to the couriers and "had ordered approximately $700,000 more for the suspects," according to the affidavit. "The victim reported the courier would provide a code word the victim was also previously given by phone from the suspect. The victim reported he would then hand the box of gold over to the courier who would then drive away."
The person on the phone who set up the payments provided the man with a federal ID, which police were able to determine was fake because of "incorrect fonts, no electronic chip, and improper placement of information," according to the affidavit.
A plan was then made to have police waiting as the couriers returned for a third pickup on Wednesday.
Ovsiannikov and Prokopchuck were taken into custody when both showed up in separate rental cars.
"Liubomyr told (police) he was paid to drive to Chicago to get a on a plane and then fly to Salt Lake City, rent a car, and film a person who would leave a residence to provide a package with money to Damir Ovsiannikov," the affidavit states. "Liubomyr claimed he was being paid 2,000 Ukrainian dollars."
Prokopchuck told police he had never been in Utah before.
"Liubomyr claimed the person that hired him was Ivan who allegedly live in Ukraine and only spoke Ukrainian with him. (Police) also spoke with Damir who reported he had done at least three total pickups," including in other states, according to the affidavit.
Police believe both men were going to leave Utah on Thursday.
"Both Damir and Liubomyr have international ties to Ukraine as they are Ukrainian nationals and reportedly from their own statements have active contacts and co-conspirators in Ukraine," the affidavit alleges. "Damir lives temporarily in Hawaii with family and also has a rental property he stays at in Ohio. Liubomyr lives at a rental property in Minnesota."
Logan police say they are working with the Department of Homeland Security as the investigation continues.
