Reported by Pat Reavy

(Except featured below. To read full report, go to: https://www.ksl.com/article/51332570/ukrainian-nationals-arrested-in-utah-in-alleged-money-laundering-scheme-)

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.”