Employees of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Georgian State Security Service, as a result of operational-search and investigative activities, arrested two Georgian citizens, D.K. and G.O., for attempting large-scale fraud by a group with prior agreement.

As stated by Emzar Gagnidze, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service, during a briefing held at the agency, the case involves an attempt to fraudulently obtain a large sum of money from a foreign citizen in exchange for securing a residence permit in Georgia.

"The investigation established that D.K., in prior agreement with G.O., promised a citizen of a foreign country to secure a residence permit in Georgia through their connections and high-ranking officials, demanding 8,000 USD in return.

On September 26, 2025, the aforementioned foreign citizen, at the request of D.K. and G.O., handed over a portion of the amount, 1,500 GEL, in cash.

Following this, D.K. and G.O. systematically contacted the individual, persistently demanding payment of the remaining amount. They repeatedly claimed that high-ranking officials were allegedly involved in the process and that the residence permit would definitely be obtained with their assistance. On October 1, 2025, in Tbilisi, during a meeting with D.K. and G.O., the foreign citizen handed over an additional portion of the requested amount, 2,500 GEL.

Thus, D.K. and G.O., with the intent of unlawful appropriation, fraudulently obtained 4,000 GEL from the foreign citizen out of the 8,000 USD they demanded.

It is also significant that, within the scope of the investigation, covert investigative actions were carried out based on a court order, resulting in the collection of audio/video evidence documenting the commission of this criminal act.

The investigation into this criminal act is being conducted under Article 19-180, Part 2, Subparagraph 'a,' and Part 3, Subparagraph 'b,' of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for imprisonment for a term of 6 to 9 years.

The State Security Service continues to actively work to eliminate all forms of corrupt crimes. We also appeal to the public to immediately report such incidents, especially cases involving illegal promises made by invoking the names and surnames of high-ranking officials," said Emzar Gagnidze.