As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities, representatives of Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, for the purpose of misappropriation, on the fact of attempting to fraudulently appropriate a large amount of money, detained one person, the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance reports.

According to the agency, investigation determined that, the accused person, who was a head of several companies, in order to fraudulently appropriate money, was posting the announcements regarding the sale of apartments in the districts of Tbilisi, on different web pages. The accused was showing the persons, interested in buying real estate, the areas where as if the construction of residential buildings was starting.

"In order to disguise the fraudulent intent, relevant contracts were drawn up by the accused, regarding the sale of apartments, which were subsequently certified by a notary.

The accused was arrested, with the mentioned criminal intent, on the fact of attempting to fraudulently appropriate USD 30 000 from one of the persons interested in buying the apartment.

Investigation is underway under the third part of Article 19 - 180 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from 6 to 9 years.

According to the preliminary data, the amount fraudulently obtained by the accused exceeds half a million US dollars.

Relevant investigative activities are being carried out in order to identify other possible victims," reads the statement.

source: IPN