Seven Arrested for Operating Fraudulent Call Centers, General Prosecutor's Office Reports
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, February 5, 2024
On February 3, according to the General Prosecutor's Office, seven members of an organized criminal group were arrested on charges of arranging and organizing fraudulent call centers.
The prosecutor's office is currently investigating a case involving the establishment of fraudulent call centers, in collaboration with their Swiss colleagues. As part of this ongoing investigation, raids were conducted on July 18, 2023, and on February 1 of this year. These operations targeted fraudulent call centers, dozens of individuals, and their residential apartments, cars, and workplaces across different locations in Tbilisi.
Law enforcement authorities have reported that the investigation determined that the members of the organized group created electronic trading platforms under different brand names. They utilized websites to give the impression of reliable investment companies and offered various types of profitable financial deals to the victims. Subsequently, a significant sum of money belonging to the victims was stolen and laundered.
"In this manner, members of the organized crime group fraudulently obtained several million Swiss francs belonging to the citizens of the Swiss Confederation. Subsequently, to legitimize the fraudulently acquired funds, they deposited them into bank accounts under their control and incorporated them into economic transactions, including real estate purchases.
Hundreds of electronic devices, documents, and a substantial amount of cash were seized. Additionally, electronic information has been sought from dozens of objects as part of the investigation," the statement reads.
The investigation seized real estate and personal assets valued at up to 5 million GEL owned by the defendants, thereby preventing any further disposal or concealment.
As per the prosecutor's office, the detainees have been charged with participating in fraud and money laundering as part of an organized group, for which the potential sentence is 9 to 12 years in prison.
