The Matador special operation revealed a scheme involving forged documents and illegal car sales
Prosecutors have submitted an indictment against five individuals involved in an international scheme to steal luxury vehicles in EU countries. The suspects rented cars in France using forged documents before reselling them or dismantling them for parts. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing the Telegram channel of Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
The investigation established that the group’s activities spanned from December 2022 to May 2023. The scheme participants used counterfeit driver’s licenses to rent luxury cars from French companies. Subsequently, the vehicles were transferred to other accomplices, who blocked GPS signals and altered vehicle identification data for parts and components.
Scale of international Matador special operation
The case confirmed the illegal seizure of five vehicles, including models such as Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 218, Audi E-tron, BMW 420i, and BMW 530 XDrive. The investigation was conducted as part of the Matador international special operation, which involved over 50 individuals from various states.
In May 2024, law enforcement authorities carried out approximately 70 searches across France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine. Suspicions were formally notified in October 2025, and in early September 2026, the case materials were referred to the courts.
Legal qualification of the crime and liability
The five defendants are charged with illegal seizure of motor vehicles, as well as falsification and use of forged official documents. Under the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the group’s actions are qualified under articles regarding participation in organized crime and document forgery.
It should be noted that all suspects are presumed innocent until a final court verdict is delivered. The justice system must determine the degree of guilt for each participant in the international scheme, which specialized in the theft of high-value transport in Europe.
Photo: Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine
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