A large-scale corruption scheme involving the issuance of driver’s licenses has been uncovered at Territorial Service Center (TSC) No. 5342 in Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast. According to inside sources, the institution’s management, led by Valeriy Lobanov, established a system of extortion targeting future drivers through intermediaries. The illicit funds were allegedly funneled directly to the leadership of the Regional Service Center (RSC) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The central figure in the illegal operation is Dmitry Semenov, the nephew of the TSC head. Semenov reportedly coordinates local «fixers» and scalpers who control the distribution of service vouchers. Obtaining a driver’s license in Kremenchuk without paying a bribe to Semenov or his network of driving instructors is virtually impossible.
For individuals attempting to pass the exams honestly, staff create artificial obstacles:
«During the practical driving test, candidates are forced to park in downtown areas where there are essentially no available parking spaces, or where the vehicle’s dimensions do not fit the location. Examiners intentionally fail students until the required money finds its way to them.»
In addition, TSC administrator Alina Chyzhik is allegedly involved in the illicit operation. She reportedly blocks ordinary citizens from accessing the electronic queue terminal, prioritizing commercial intermediaries and fixers instead.
To evade law enforcement, the organizers abandoned direct hand-to-hand cash transfers. Instead, the TSC corruption scheme relied on a local business for cover: applicants leave the cash for their exams at the «Bordo» liquor store, located directly across the street from the service center. The accumulated bribe money is later picked up from the shop by either Semenov or Lobanov himself.
Information indicates that Valeriy Lobanov does not keep the extortion proceeds solely for himself. A significant portion of the shadow revenue from TSC No. 5342 is regularly forwarded to Iryna Parkhomenko, the Deputy Head of the Regional Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Poltava Oblast.
Official statements from the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and law enforcement agencies regarding the situation in Kremenchuk are currently pending. If convicted, the officials face severe criminal charges for accepting unlawful benefits.