Interior Ministry detains one, seeks another in connection with construction fraud

Officers from the Fraud Division of the Tbilisi Police Department’s Main Investigative Division have detained one person on charges of large-scale fraud, while a search is underway for a second suspect, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported.

According to the investigation, the suspects used deceptive advertisements and fictitious contracts to offer citizens residential construction and renovation services.

“Under the pretext of fast-tracking the work, the suspects demanded and received advance payments from the victims totalling GEL 242,000. They subsequently misappropriated the funds without fulfilling their obligations.

Following operational and investigative measures, law enforcement officers apprehended one of the perpetrators under a judge’s warrant. Criminal proceedings against the second suspect have been initiated in absentia,” MIA reported.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 180, Part 2, Sub-paragraph (a), and Part 3, Sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which covers large-scale fraud committed by a group with prior agreement. The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to nine years’ imprisonment.