Over 810 Million Drams Stolen on Social Media: Investigative Committee Details

The citizens of the Republic of Armenia and a group of foreign nationals created and led a transnational organized crime group from March 2022 to December 2023, committing exceptionally large-scale computer theft.

According to the Investigative Committee, at least 144 members, including minors, were involved in this criminal organization. During the investigation, substantial factual evidence was obtained indicating that the individuals involved created and directed websites with false content, conducted advertisements on social networks, rented office spaces, and frequently changed fictitious company names and bank accounts used for monetary transfers to cover up their criminal activities.

They used foreign virtual phone numbers, performed verification checks on newly recruited employees with printing equipment, provided them with pseudonyms and sequential numbers to avoid exposing their identities, instructed them on behavioral rules in case of potential problems, and installed and operated data destruction mechanisms for electronic data and other carriers.

Thus, the members of the criminal organization established contact primarily with residents of European countries and presented themselves as employees of a reputable international investment company operating with artificial intelligence, which provided significant income, ultimately committing computer theft.

After deceiving victims and strengthening their trust, they directed them to transfer varying amounts of money to bank accounts managed by the organization. As a result, members of the criminal organization gained the real opportunity to manage and use financial resources exceeding 810 million 71 thousand 577 drams from 1,404 foreign victims.

Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against one leader of the organization under Article 318, Part 2, Clause 2 (establishing or leading a criminal organization), Article 257, Part 3, Clauses 1 and 3 (computer theft), Article 285, Part 2, Clauses 1 and 3 (creating or using a legal entity or business for illegal activities), and Article 296, Part 3, Clauses 1 and 3 (money laundering). Proceedings have also been initiated against another leader under Article 318, Part 1 (establishing or leading a criminal organization), Article 257, Part 3, Clauses 1 and 3 (computer theft), Article 285, Part 2, Clauses 1 and 3, and Article 296, Part 3, Clauses 1 and 3, as well as against 16 members under Article 319, Part 1 (participating in a criminal organization) and Article 257, Part 3, Clauses 1 and 3.

The criminal proceedings have been submitted to the supervising prosecutor with an accusatory conclusion.