An underground production facility was uncovered in the Kyiv region, where counterfeit coffee was produced under the brands of well-known international brands.
This was reported by the Prosecutor General's Office.
According to the investigation, a group of men set up production workshops in warehouses in the Kyiv region.
There they roasted the raw materials, packaged and packaged the coffee, illegally using the logos of popular brands.
Finished products were sold through online stores, marketplaces, social networks and messengers, and were also supplied to coffee shops in various regions of Ukraine.
To mask their illegal activities, the scheme participants involved individuals who registered a fictitious business and used it to receive payments.
The investigation established that the defendants had previously officially cooperated with the copyright holder of one of the brands, but after the contract expired in 2021, they continued to use the trademark without permission.
The counterfeit coffee did not undergo any quality control and could pose a health risk to consumers.
During the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement officers conducted 22 searches and seized production equipment, printing products, thousands of packages of finished coffee, raw materials, vehicles, documentation, and significant amounts of cash.
The estimated value of the seized property is almost 20 million hryvnias.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under Part 3 of Article 229 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal use of a mark for goods and services, which caused material damage in an especially large amount).
Currently, the full circle of persons involved is being established, and reports of suspicion are being prepared.
The NGO emphasizes that in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime until his guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
Here are the key details of this case and tips on how to avoid falling victim to similar schemes:
Key facts of the revelation:
-
Scale: The workshop operated in warehouses in the Kyiv region, distributing counterfeit goods throughout the country.
-
"Masking" scheme: The attackers used fictitious sole proprietorships to accept payments in order to hide the real owners of the business.
-
Audacity: The defendants previously had an official contract with the copyright holder of one of the brands, but after 2021 they decided to "work for themselves", illegally using other people's logos.
-
Damages and withdrawals: Law enforcement officers seized property worth approximately 20 million hryvnias, including roasting and packaging equipment.
What is dangerous about counterfeiting?
Since the production was underground, the product did not undergo any sanitary or technological control:
-
Low-quality raw materials: Instead of premium varieties, cheap, low-quality robusta or even coffee production waste is often used.
-
Harmful impurities: Barley, rye, chicory, or artificial flavors of unknown origin may be added to coffee to add weight or color.
-
Hygiene violations: Mold and fungus in storage areas can cause serious poisoning or allergic reactions.
How to protect yourself (buyer's checklist):
Although "Diya" does not yet test coffee, you can detect a fake yourself by several signs:
-
Price: If a well-known brand is sold on a marketplace or social media at a price that is 30–50% lowerthan in large supermarkets — it is 99% fake.
-
Packaging: Pay attention to the quality of the print (clearness of logos) and the tightness of the seams. The original packaging always has a special air valve.
-
Place of purchase: Try to buy coffee from large retail chains or official distributors. Social networks (Telegram, Instagram) are the highest risk areas.
-
Marking: The absence of a production date, batch number, or an error in the brand name are direct signs of counterfeiting.
Importantly: If you have already purchased a suspicious product in a coffee shop or store, you have the right to demand a quality certificate. If refused, contact the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
