29 and 21-Year-Old Youths Embezzle Approximately 4 Million Dram

Necessary investigative and procedural actions are continuing to uncover all circumstances of the large-scale internet fraud committed by an organized group against internet users, as well as to identify the affected individuals. This was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia, elaborating that during the preliminary investigation, extensive measures conducted in collaboration with the National Security Service have led to the identification of two members of the criminal group and the mechanism of the fraud.

“The investigation has revealed that the 29 and 21-year-olds created a criminal group with the intent to embezzle a particularly large amount of money through fraud via social networks. They recruited members for the group, including a computer expert who created a website named ‘ajakic.com’. Following this, they placed advertisements on the social media platform www.facebook.com claiming that an organization named ‘Rapid Assistance’ provides loans up to 4 million dram within minutes, without the need for a credit history or guarantor. Users were directed to submit loan applications on the aforementioned website they created.

By establishing contact with the applicants and presenting themselves under fictitious names as employees of the lending organization, they misled citizens by assuring them that the loan amounts had been confirmed. They required applicants to transfer a prepayment equal to the first monthly payment of the loan to accounts opened in the ‘Tellcell’ payment system using the phone numbers 094 605-868 and 077 137-362. The sums were subsequently cashed by members of the organized group on different days and embezzled,” the statement from the Investigative Committee reads.

The investigation has established that through this method, during July-September 2021, the group fraudulently embezzled a total of approximately 3 million 939 thousand 800 dram from more than ten individuals. Based on the sufficient evidence gathered, charges have been brought against the youths. A measure of restraint in the form of arrest has been applied to the 29-year-old, while the 21-year-old has been given a signature not to leave.

The preliminary investigation is ongoing. The investigative body is taking necessary actions to clarify potential other methods of fraud committed by the criminal group and to identify the complete circle of victims. The Investigative Committee urges all citizens who have been affected by similar actions of organized groups to contact the investigative division in the Kanaker-Zeytun administrative district of the Yerevan city investigative department.

At the same time, the Investigative Committee of Armenia advises citizens to use only the services of verified and reliable organizations.

Notice: A suspect or accused in a presumed crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, by a legally valid court verdict.