Six people have been arrested and two others are wanted as part of the operation codenamed "XUEX", which targeted a fraud network operating through online platforms and cryptocurrencies.
The operation was carried out by the Fier Police in cooperation with the Fier Judicial District Prosecutor's Office and included numerous checks in several cities in the country.
Investigations to date have uncovered a sophisticated pyramid scheme, where citizens were promised quick and safe profits through investments that were in fact structured frauds.
Persons arrested and wanted
The following were arrested:
Arbër Çela, 38 years old, from Lushnja
Emanuel Taullau, 21 years old, from Lushnja
Flavio Mukaj, 23 years old, from Lushnja
Marius Kodra, 28 years old, from Tirana
Brunilda Todi, 38 years old, from Divjaka
Brunilda Ndini, 38 years old, from Divjaka
Meanwhile, the following were declared wanted:
Sh., 35 years old, resident of Divjaka
Sh., 29 years old, resident of Divjaka
All persons involved are suspected of the criminal offenses of "Fraudulent Pyramid Schemes" and "Computer Fraud", acting as key agents of the scheme for recruiting participants and directing their investments.
How the pyramid scheme worked
Investigations have shown that the network operated through fake investment platforms, where citizens were promised immediate and secure profits through investments in cryptocurrencies such as USDT and TRON. These platforms were actually online sites or applications that claimed to allow citizens to “invest” safely and multiply their money. But in reality, they did not offer real investments; they only functioned as a mechanism to take investors’ money and distribute it among the organizers of the pyramid.
The scheme had a classic pyramid structure, where investors were instructed to bring in at least 5 new people to increase the promised profits. The more members you brought in and the greater the invested value, the more income would appear in your virtual account. However, the real benefits only went to the higher levels of the pyramid, while most investors lost their savings.
To recruit and instruct participants, the group used closed groups on the Telegram app, where members received instructions on how to invest and transfer funds. This created a controlled structure, where information about illegal activities was kept away from outside eyes and made it more difficult to track the flow of money.
The operation took place in the cities of Fier, Lushnje, Divjakë, Tirana, Dibër, Berat and Gramsh, and included a total of 83 checks on people, homes and businesses.
During the operation, the following material evidence was seized:
50 mobile phones
11 computer units
1 DVR and 2 hard drives
1 vehicle
4.2 million lek, 28 thousand euros, 1,750 dollars and 340 francs
Also, 6 cryptocurrency accounts were frozen, which were allegedly used to channel proceeds from criminal activity.
Authorities have announced that investigations are continuing and citizens are advised to be wary of offers that promise immediate and secure profits, and not to allow pressure from well-known individuals or the desire for quick profit to make them part of pyramid schemes.
Boldnews
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