Two executives of a construction company have been detained in Batumi on allegations of fraud in apartment sales. Georgia's Interior Ministry reported the detentions. According to investigators, buyers paid for their homes, but the apartments were subsequently sold to other people. Investigators describe the following scheme: the executives promised buyers that ownership would be registered in their names and received large sums of money. However, registration was delayed, and buyers were only allowed to use the apartments. Buyers renovated the homes at their own expense. After the renovations, the accused sold the apartments again and registered them in the names of third parties. According to investigators, the accused misappropriated buyers' money through this scheme: 190.5 thousand dollars and 42.6 thousand lari. Both detainees had previous convictions. They were detained on the basis of a court order. The case is being investigated under Article 180, parts 2 and 3, of Georgia's Criminal Code. The allegations concern large-scale fraud committed by a group. The maximum penalty the suspects face is up to 9 years in prison.
