Prosecutor's Office Calls for Caution and Warns Citizens of Fraudulent Activities

The law enforcement authorities in Yerevan have issued a warning based on numerous reports received from citizens regarding fraudulent activities causing financial harm. Investigations conducted by the Investigative Committee of Yerevan revealed that Mariam Ananyan, a resident of Yerevan, committed over 30 frauds between 2018 and 2020, continuing to deceive citizens to unlawfully acquire their funds.

According to a statement from the Public Relations Department of the Prosecutor General's Office, Ananyan posed as a seller on social media and websites under the names “Luna Furniture” and “Ava Market,” posting fake advertisements for furniture sales. After engaging with responding citizens, she convinced them to pay to her designated bank accounts electronically, promising to deliver the ordered furniture after receiving the payment. Once she received the agreed-upon amount, she disappeared without fulfilling her promises.

There are legal verdicts against Ananyan for the aforementioned frauds; however, she remains at liberty as the execution of her prison sentence has been postponed until her minor child turns three. Moreover, a motion to detain her as a precautionary measure was rejected by the court in ongoing criminal proceedings.

Given the continued reports from citizens regarding Ananyan’s fraudulent activities, and considering that her criminal conduct spans the entire territory of Armenia, the Prosecutor's Office urges citizens to refrain from engaging with the purported services advertised by the accounts “Luna Furniture” and “Ava Market,” which do not exist. Citizens are advised to inform others about these incidents as a preventive measure against such fraudulent acts.

To avoid becoming victims of fraud, it is also recommended to verify the existence of such services and offered products through additional means, confirming business registration, address, and bank details before engaging with similar advertisements on social media.