Novosibirsk Police Detain Shadow Bankers in 2-Billion-Ruble Scheme
Early this morning, according to NGS, a group of suspects in «illegal banking activity» was brought to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Novosibirsk Region. The department«s press service later confirmed the information.
Eight people were detained. Six were in Novosibirsk, and two more in Yalta, Crimea.
According to preliminary data, in 2023–2024, the perpetrators were engaged in illegal cash-out operations for legal entities in Novosibirsk Region. For this, they created at least 30 shell companies, without having a banking license. Funds were transferred to controlled accounts under the guise of payment for services or delivery of goods.
In total, over 2 billion rubles (approximately $20 million at current rates) passed through the scheme. The group«s illegal income, according to police, amounted to at least 105 million rubles (about $1.05 million).
During searches at the detainees« places of residence, police officers seized documents, cash, mobile phones, bank and SIM cards.
Investigators have initiated a criminal case under the article «Illegal Banking Activity» (clause «b» of part 2 of Article 172 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). All those involved have been brought to the police, and the issue of choosing a preventive measure is being decided.
On January 30, nine people were detained in Novosibirsk on suspicion of organizing a series of fictitious traffic accidents. The fraudsters staged accidents and filed European accident reports with the data of acquaintances.
