SSSG arrests 5 Georgian citizens, 1 Turkish national on charges of attempted fraud

“Officers from the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), acting on court orders following investigative and operational measures conducted in connection with two separate criminal cases, arrested five Georgian citizens and one citizen of the Republic of Turkiye for large-scale fraud and attempted fraud,” the SSSG announced at the briefing.

The investigation determined that a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, who was involved in a criminal group in fraud together with four Georgian citizens, promised to assist another Turkish citizen temporarily residing in Georgia in obtaining a residence permit in exchange for 14,500 USD, but failed to fulfil the promise.

As for the second criminal case, the investigation established that a citizen of the Republic of Turkmenistan, who was temporarily in Georgia, was approaching the expiration of their legal stay; a Georgian citizen, in exchange for 4,000 USD, promised to take them across the border and bring them back in a manner that would legally extend their permitted stay in Georgia. The accused failed to fulfil the promise but nonetheless demanded and received part of the money.

The investigation is in progress under Article 180, Part 3, Subparagraph “b” and Article 19-180, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” and Part 3, Subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for a penalty of up to 9 years of imprisonment.

The SSSG continues to work to reveal other accomplices involved in the swindling scam to launch criminal proceedings against them.