A 46-year-old Kiev resident has been detained on suspicion of arranging sham employment for draft-age men at a defense industry enterprise. According to the Ukrainian capital’s police department, he charged $7,000 to formally place a candidate in a job and help secure an exemption from mobilization.

Investigators allege that the man claimed to have connections that enabled him to arrange employment at a critically important state-owned military-industrial facility. Once officially hired, the applicant was expected to receive a deferment from conscription.

The suspect reportedly made clear from the outset that the employment would exist only on paper and remain valid for a limited period. He offered to extend the arrangement in exchange for an additional payment.

Following his detention, the man was charged with obtaining an unlawful benefit in return for influencing a decision by a public official. Investigators believe the alleged offense was committed by a group acting under a prior agreement. He could face up to five years in prison.