VIDEO: Raid at Call Center

The Police of the Republic of Armenia informs that the Criminal Police Department received operational information about an organized call center operating on the street of Jewelers in Yerevan, where individuals, abusing the trust of people located in foreign countries, were stealing particularly large sums of money.

Haik Mkrtchyan, head of the Criminal Police Department's High-Tech Crime Division, presented the findings: "Comprehensive operational-investigative measures were undertaken, which made it possible to clarify the actual activities of the mentioned call center. The individuals at the center were establishing internet phone calls with foreign citizens and, abusing their trust, were stealing money. Moreover, the alleged criminals represented themselves as legal service providers and as representatives of law enforcement agencies to the victims."

The call center exclusively targeted foreign citizens, particularly those who had already fallen victim to fraud. By obtaining necessary information, they contacted the victims, posing as employees of law enforcement bodies and members of a legal service organization, claiming that their organization was involved in the recovery of stolen financial assets, and that the victims needed to pay various fees.

By studying the obtained information, the identities of the individuals involved in the criminal organization, their roles, and the pseudonyms used within the criminal scheme were revealed. While police were verifying the information received, the organization’s leaders relocated the office to the fourth floor of a multifunctional building on Hakob Hakobyan Street in Yerevan to prevent the exposure of their criminal activities.

"Having all the information, we submitted a report to the Investigative Committee, where a criminal case was initiated," says Haik Mkrtchyan. The joint actions of law enforcement during the criminal investigation were carried out as quickly as possible. One of the reasons for deciding to conduct the raid shortly after midnight was that, considering the time zone differences, members of the criminal organization established contact with potential foreign victims mainly at night. This was not the only reason for the urgency of the law enforcement actions.

Milena Manukyan, an investigator in the Investigative Committee, stated: "Completing the data received from the police, as well as the evidence gathered during the criminal proceedings, and understanding that delays in this case could lead to new victims being added every day, we conducted a search at the address of criminal activity on October 12 in collaboration with the police. A number of significant evidences for the criminal case were discovered, particularly electronic evidence, as well as information regarding potential victims and the alleged members of the criminal organization."

As a result of the raid and subsequent actions, it also became evident that the criminal organization had concealed the nature of its actual activities and the amount of income from tax authorities, thereby avoiding various tax payments and causing financial damage to the state.

Currently, the police are actively collaborating with foreign law enforcement agencies to identify the citizens harmed by the criminal activities. The preliminary investigation continues, and circumstances are being clarified.