18-Year-Old Charged with Possession and Distribution of Counterfeit Banknotes

The investigation into the case of producing, possessing, and distributing counterfeit banknotes has concluded at the Investigative Department of Ajapnyak and Davtashen administrative districts of the Yerevan Investigative Committee. An 18-year-old resident of Yerevan has been charged.

According to the information provided by the press service of the Investigative Committee, based on the data obtained during the investigation, the 18-year-old resident of Yerevan, on September 1, 2019, became acquainted with an advertisement on the social network 'Telegram' regarding acquiring 'banknotes at half price.' After transferring money to an unidentified account for this purpose, he received a guide in the form of a map. Subsequently, he went to one of the buildings in the HAT neighborhood of Yerevan and retrieved 12 pieces of 20,000 AMD banknotes from the cash collection boxes placed at the entrance—totaling 240,000 AMD.

Using these banknotes, he made purchases at various shops in the city, while keeping the rest for distribution.

On October 13, 2019, during a personal search of the 18-year-old, nine counterfeit banknotes with a nominal value of 20,000 were found, which have been recognized as material evidence. Forensic expertise has been appointed. Based on the gathered evidence, the 18-year-old has been charged under the first part of Article 202 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. A measure of constraint in the form of a signature not to leave has been selected for him.

The investigation is complete, and the criminal case has been sent to the prosecutor overseeing the legality of the investigation with an accusatory conclusion.