As reported by RIA Novosti, the criminals were engaged in racketeering in close proximity to the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. They looked for tourist buses with Ukrainian license plates and on narrow sections of the highway forced them to stop using their car. Threatening with weapons, the criminals collected transit fees from their compatriots at a rate of 30 to 50 euros per person.
The intimidated tourists did not seek help from the Hungarian police, fearing revenge from the robbers. A Hungarian who accidentally witnessed the extortionists' action filed a complaint with law enforcement about the roadside extortion. In the car of the arrested Ukrainians, police found a gas pistol, knives, and baseball bats.