Man charged in Georgia over $5,600 residency permit fraud

Georgian prosecutors have charged a man with attempting to fraudulently obtain a large sum of money by falsely promising to secure a residence permit for a foreign national.

The Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday said an investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Agency of Georgia’s State Security Service had found that the accused - a Georgian citizen - offered to help a foreign national obtain a one-year residence permit in Georgia. In return, he allegedly demanded $5,600, claiming he could facilitate the process through his influential connections.

Part of the requested sum was reportedly wired directly to the suspect’s bank account, while the remaining $2,500 was handed over in person during meetings in May and June 2025.

The suspect has been charged with attempted large-scale fraud, a crime punishable by up to nine years in prison under Georgian law.

The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed it will formally request pre-trial detention as a preventive measure within the legally prescribed timeframe.