Preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding initiated on swindling in particularly large amount from a number of RA and IRI citizens committed by three residents of Yerevan was completed in the Department of Investigation of Crimes against Property of General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee.

Through the factual data obtained in the result of large-scale investigative and procedural actions conducted in the course of preliminary investigation it was found out and grounded that two IRI citizens, having intention to carry out the process of obtaining an entry permit for countries located in the territory of the Schengen zone in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, learning from their acquaintance that 56 year-old resident of Yerevan could organize the mentioned process in the RA, in June-August, 2019 arrived in Yerevan. They met 56 year-old woman in one of the cafes in Yerevan and the latter, aiming to fraudulently swindle money in particularly large amount, told them fake data that didn’t actually exist assuring them that she could organize the acquisition of the entry permit of the Schengen countries for 3.500 USD for each person.

With the intent to organize the mentioned process, the above-mentioned IRI citizens invited a number of countrymen to the RA. Under the fake pretext of organizing the acquisition of the entry permit of the Schengen countries, 56 year-old woman took money in particularly large amount, 49.980.000 AMD tantamount to 105.000 USD, in total from them through the mentioned two IRI citizens and fraudulently swindled.

Through investigation it was also found out that the above-mentioned two IRI citizens, through another acquaintance met 35 year-old resident of Yerevan with the intent to organize the acquisition of the entry permit of the Schengen countries. The latter, introducing himself as an employee of Embassy of Serbia to the RA, through the same mechanism swindled totally 15.311.000 AMD tantamount to 21.000 Euros and 9.000 USD from IRI citizens. In the same way 55 year-old man swindled 12.000 Euros tantamount to 7.140.000 AMD from his acquaintance as well, under the pretext of organizing the entry of the latter’s daughter’s family to the Republic of France.

Besides, 56 year-old woman alone, as well as with prior agreement with 47 year-old woman and others, swindled money in different amounts from a number of citizens. Particularly, learning about the citizens’ intention to acquire an apartment, 56 year-old woman introduced herself, in some cases her 47 year-old accomplice introduced her as an employee of service of Compulsory Enforcement of Judicial Acts who could organize the acquisition of an apartment at a lower than market value through an auction from the mentioned service. 56 year-old woman, abusing the citizens’ confidence, sent them photos of different apartments through a mobile application as non-existent documents drawn up regarding the participation in the CEJA auction. She also showed them apartments located at different addresses in Yerevan pretending that she was engaged in the process of acquisition of apartments. Receiving positive answers from the citizens, under the pretext of paying the expenses for the transaction, as well as a prepayment, 56 year-old woman received money in particularly large amount and swindled.

She also swindled money in different amounts from citizens under the pretext of providing apartments for rent.

On the base of the obtained sufficient evidence charge was pressed against 56 year-old woman according to the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 255 (2 counts), the Points 1 and 3 of the Part 2 of the Article 255 (3 counts), the Point 3 of the Part 2 of the Article 255 (2 counts) and the Part 1 of the Article 255 (3 counts) of RA Criminal Code. Charge was pressed against 47 year-old woman according to the Points 1 and 3 of the Part 2 of the Article 255 (2 counts) of RA Criminal Code and against 55 year-old man according to the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 255 (2 counts) of RA Criminal Code.  Detention was used as a pretrial measure against the mentioned two women, absence ban was used as a pretrial measure against 55 year-old man.

Preliminary investigation on the mentioned three defendants was completed, materials of the criminal proceeding with the bill of indictment were sent to the prosecutor for approval and referral to court.