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16.01.25, 16:26

A Group of People Involved in Different Criminal Groups Stole a Particularly Large Amount of Money from a Number of Game Accounts of Bookmaking Companies Operating in the RA

A Group of People Involved in Different Criminal Groups Stole a Particularly Large Amount of Money from a Number of Game Accounts of Bookmaking Companies Operating in the RA

Preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding investigated in the Department for Investigation of Cybercrime and High Technology Crime of General Department for Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee regarding another case on committing theft by means of computer was completed on the part of seven people involved in four different criminal groups.

In the course of preliminary investigation factual data were obtained on the allegation that in June-August, 2021 a group of people, with prior agreement, stole money in particularly large amount from a number of game accounts registered in bookmaking websites owned by companies operating in the RA. It was found out that a part of those means was stolen by 7 people involved in four different criminal groups amd people who had reached prior agreement with the latters and had been involved in the criminal group.

The people involved in the mentioned criminal groups, being aware about the software defect of the ATMs of two banks operating in the Republic of Armenia, deposited money into game accounts registered in their own and other people's names on the websites of bookmaking companies operating at the RA territory and in order to ensure the artificial circulation of deposited funds, they placed bets with a low probability of loss. Then taking advantage of the software defect, the funds accumulated in the user account were simultaneously withdrawn from two different ATMs through multiple cash withdrawal transactions, embezzling a particularly large amount of money, at least 55 million 480 thousand AMD.

Besides, through investigation it was grounded that in February, 2022 the members of the mentioned criminal groups, taking advantage of the software defect that ensures the normal process of withdrawing money from ATMs,  by means of computer embazzled a particularly large amount of money, at least 55 million 636 thousand AMD.

Public criminal prosecution was initiated against one of the mentioned seven people according to the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 257 and the Point 3 of the Part 2 of the Article 257 of RA Criminal Code, against one person – accoridng to the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 257 (2 counts), against two persons – according to the Points 1 and 3 of the Part 2 of the Article 257 and the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 257 of RA Criminal Code and against three persons – according to the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 257 (2 counts) of RA Criminal Code.

Detention was applied as a pretrial measure against four persons, administrative control was applied against one person and absence ban was applied as a pretrial measure against two persons.

The materials of the proceeding with the bill of indictment were sent to the prosecutor.

Preliminary investigation on the part of others involved in the criminal group, as well as other criminal groups, is ongoing.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.