In the result of investigatory actions of great volume conducted in the framework of the criminal case investigated in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee the frame of those involved in swindling money in particularly large amount from Cubans under the pretext of organizing departure to the USA for permanent residence through the area of Armenia was found, charge was pressed against two persons, search was declared against one more person.

In 2016 the citizen of Cuba, who is in Yerevan, submitted a written report to the RA law enforcement bodies informing that money in particularly large amount was taken from him for organizing permanent residence in the USA for his family – six members in total, but the departure was not organized, neither the money was returned.

A criminal case was initiated on the base of the report preliminary investigation of which has been conducted in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee since February, 2017. In the result of investigatory and other procedural actions of great volume conducted in the framework of the criminal case the circumstances, mechanism of the case were found, the persons having committed the alleged crime were identified; they are also citizens of Cuba.

Through preliminary investigation factual data were obtained on the allegation that a Cuban woman, born in 1962, cheated her countrymen, who wanted to leave for the USA for permanent residence, and persuaded that she could organize their departure through the area of Armenia. Pursuant to the achieved agreement Gomes' family members - 6 people arrived in Armenia by Havana-Moscow-Yerevan flight where they were met by Cuban woman's daughter and son-in-law. The latters provided them with temporary residence promising to organize their departure to the USA in a short time. Under the pretext of formulating the necessary documents money in particularly large amount - 36.300 USD and 2.000 Euros was taken from the family which was swindled by cheating; the family did not get permission to leave for the USA, neither the money was returned.

In the result of objective investigation it was found that one more Cuban family had been affected by the actions of the mentioned people and through the same mechanism 24.920 USD had been swindled to organize the departure to the USA for permanent residence of the mentioned family.

On the base of the obtained sufficient evidence charge was pressed against the woman, born in 1962, and the latter's daughter according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code (two counts), search was declared against the son-in-law for the same charges.

The part on two women was separated as a separate proceeding preliminary investigation of which was completed and the criminal case with the bill of indictment was sent to the prosecutor supervising the legality of preliminary investigation.

Preliminary investigation of the criminal case on son-in-law’s part is ongoing. During preliminary investigation information was received from the RF law enforcement bodies that the wanted Cuban man was found at the area of Russia and the appropriate documents were sent to RF law enforcement bodies to discuss the issue of his transfer.  

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.