Convictions and restitution in the "Banca de Economii" fraud case
Two individuals were sentenced to nine and five years in prison, respectively, for money laundering and large-scale fraud in a case involving 4.4 million lei in damages to SA ‘Banca de Economii,’ according to a ruling by the Chisinau Court in Buiucani.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, on December 16, the court found two people guilty of committing the crimes of money laundering in particularly large proportions and fraud in large proportions, acts resulting in material damage estimated at 4.4 million lei.
In the case of one of the defendants, the court ordered, by partial cumulation of the sentences, "a sentence of 9 years in prison, with the deprivation of the right to carry out activities in the field of property management for a period of 5 years". The second defendant, found guilty of money laundering, was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
The preventive measure, "preventive arrest", was maintained for both defendants, and they are currently on general search.
At the same time, the court admitted the civil action filed by SA "Banca de Economii", ordering "the joint collection, from the defendants' account, of the sum of 200,000 lei, as compensation for the material damage".
According to the evidence administered by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, jointly with the National Anti-Corruption Center, a group of individuals allegedly obtained by fraud, in December 2011, a loan worth 4,400,000 lei from SA "Banca de Economii". The actions were allegedly carried out in complicity with the administrator and founder of some companies, as well as with other individuals against whom, currently, legal actions are being taken.
Subsequently, the funds were allegedly appropriated through various criminal schemes, causing the financial institution significant damage.
According to prosecutors, the individuals involved allegedly engaged in money laundering by concealing and disguising the origin of funds, transferring 4,400,000 lei through fictitious business contracts to the bank accounts of several companies. The money was then withdrawn in cash by accomplices, including the defendants.
The Prosecutor General's Office emphasizes that the accused are presumed innocent until a final court decision is issued..
