Two Hrodna Residents Sentenced for Selling Fake Tours

Reform.news Editorial Team · 28 October 2026, 22:27

https://reform.news/en/two-hrodna-residents-sentenced-for-selling-fake-tours/

Two men have been convicted of fraud in Hrodna for posing as travel package sellers. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office reported, 45 people fell victim to their scheme, losing more than 150,000 rubles.

According to the case materials, from June 2025 to February 2026, the 37-year-old and 38-year-old Hrodna residents advertised tours on Instagram, Telegram and Viber. They attracted customers with below-market prices and persuaded them to make advance payments to secure bookings. However, the men never intended to fulfill their obligations and had no actual means of organizing the trips.

They transferred the money they received to bank accounts under their control that belonged to people unaware of the criminal activity. To launder the proceeds, the defendants used accounts belonging to money mules and cryptocurrency exchanges. Some of the stolen funds were withdrawn from ATMs in Hrodna. The men spent the money on their personal needs.

The victims included 45 people aged between 22 and 62. One defendant committed 41 criminal acts, while the other was responsible for eight acts involving 10 victims.

Both defendants fully admitted their guilt, expressed remorse and voluntarily compensated the victims for their material losses, as well as repaid the proceeds obtained through criminal activity.

The Oktyabrsky District Court of Hrodna sentenced the 37-year-old defendant to four years in prison in a correctional colony with an enhanced security regime and fined him 300 base units (13,500 rubles). He was taken into custody in the courtroom. The second defendant was sentenced to three years in prison and fined 300 base units. Execution of his prison sentence was deferred for three years.

The verdict has not yet entered into force and may be appealed.