A group suspected of real estate fraud has been detained in Minsk. Officers from the Almaz and Granit special forces units took part in the operation, the Interior Ministry said.
“Six suspects have been detained. Among them is one of the leaders of Belarus’ criminal underworld, while the others have previous convictions for fraud, illegal business activities, theft and other crimes. A representative of one of the capital’s real estate agencies also participated in the scheme,” the ministry said.
According to the police, the suspects used a common fraud scheme. They targeted apartment owners with antisocial lifestyles who had accumulated utility payment debts. The victims were persuaded to exchange their homes for cheaper properties in return for a cash payment. They were then provided with rooms in shared apartments. At the same time, the value of the property being sold was artificially understated, while the price of the replacement property was inflated.
“The members of the group appropriated and divided the bulk of the profits among themselves, while the remainder was sent to Russia to replenish the so-called thieves’ common fund,” the Interior Ministry added.
Criminal cases have been opened on fraud charges. Four of the suspects have already been placed in pretrial detention, while the others have been placed in temporary detention facilities.
