Five Georgian Nationals, One Turkish Citizen Arrested over Fraud and Attempted Fraud

Georgia’s State Security Service (SSSG) has arrested five Georgian nationals and one Turkish citizen on charges of large-scale fraud and attempted fraud in connection with two separate criminal cases.

According to the SSSG, the arrests were made by officers of its Anti-Corruption Agency following investigative and operational measures and on the basis of court warrants.

In one case, investigators found that a Turkish citizen, acting together with four Georgian nationals as part of an alleged fraudulent group, promised to help another Turkish citizen temporarily residing in Georgia obtain a residence permit in exchange for $14,500, but failed to deliver on the promise.

The victim’s legal period of stay in Georgia had already expired, a fact allegedly known to other members of the group. Georgian nationals linked to the detained suspect later contacted the same Turkish citizen and, in exchange for $3,000, allegedly helped create a false legal basis for his continued stay in the country.

According to investigators, official stamps indicating entry into and exit from Georgia were placed on travel documentation using the individual’s identity card, despite there having been no actual crossing of the state border.

In the second case, investigators said a citizen of Turkmenistan who was temporarily staying in Georgia was approaching the end of his lawful period of residence. A Georgian citizen allegedly promised, in exchange for $4,000, to take him across the border and then bring him back into the country in a way that would extend his legal stay.

The suspect allegedly failed to carry out the arrangement but still demanded and received part of the agreed payment.

The investigation is being conducted under relevant provisions of Article 180 and Article 19-180 of Georgia’s Criminal Code. The offences carry a maximum sentence of nine years in prison.

The SSSG’s Anti-Corruption Agency said the investigation is continuing to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and bring them to criminal responsibility.