More than 60 phantom companies created in Moldova caused damage of over 100 million lei to the state by using money laundering schemes during seven years. The police established that the companies were founded by a criminal group that held forged stamps of most of the state institutions and banks, IPN reports.
In a news conference on April 11, Tudor Bejan, head of the Interior Ministry’s Organized Crime Division, said the group specialized in sale of state companies, forging of documents and money laundering. The illegal schemes involved employees of banks, the Main State Tax Inspectorate, the State Registration Chamber and other public institutions.
Prosecutor Vladimir Mosneaga said that the main members of the group are under arrest. They were caught after the police examined over 2,000 recordings of tapped phone conversations and carried out searches at different companies. Among those arrested are persons with a criminal record and entrepreneurs.
A criminal case was started over forging of public documents, money laundering and tax evasion.
