A number of businesspeople, who convened a news conference at IPN, complained that they were involved in illegal schemes without their knowledge by persons whom they considered partners, but who turned out to be swindlers. The persons said that over half a billion lei was stolen from banks and a leasing company of Moldova by these schemes.
Denis Ureche, former administrator of “ProAcvaCom” SRL, said the swindling schemes were put into practice by two Moldovans who managed to steal large sums of money with the help of the administrators of the banks. One of the swindlers offered him a project for which to ask for a loan from Banca de Economii. The businessman was deceived. The swindlers stole his money, the project wasn’t completed and his company remained with debts.
According to Denis Ureche, by similar schemes the swindlers appropriated over 300 million lei from Banca de Economii in 2010-2012, when one of those involved was arrested. Denis Ureche and other businessmen who were persuaded to take out loans from the bank found out that the money was shared out by those who planned this scheme. Denis Ureche said he has audio recordings where the swindlers say that they are not afraid of the legal system as they are protected by high-ranking officials.
Businessman Alexei Damaschin said that he was involved in a scheme to steal 30 million lei from Eximbank, while the institution’s administration allowed issuing this money in the form of loans without checking if the money is spent on the presented projects. The law enforcement bodies jailed the son of one of the swindlers, who wasn’t actually involved in those schemes. This way they wanted to remove suspicion from the real culprits.
Businesswoman Lilia Muntean said the swindlers deceived a number of persons by offering them to purchase farmland. They persuaded the owners to confirm that they received the money for the land and to sign the sale-purchase contracts, promising that they will transfer the money immediately after they receive money for their projects. Afterward, the swindlers pledged the land with Victoriabank, obtaining 120 million lei. The owners now have neither money nor land.
Businessman Andrei Chirdei complained that he remained with debts of 5 million lei as a result of a scheme planned by the same swindlers.
The businesspeople sent a letter to the prosecutor general, presenting details of the given schemes and evidence showing that they are intimidated. The letter was remitted to the National Anticorruption Center.
