Law enforcement in Balashikha, near Moscow, detained a businesswoman and two police officers amid allegations of an illegal scheme to regularize foreign visitors to Russia. The information comes from the Telegram channel Baza.
According to the report, a 47-year-old businesswoman from Reutov established the “Immigration Services Bureau,” where foreigners were registered in exchange for payments. In addition to the businesswoman, two officers from the immigration division were allegedly involved in the fraud scheme. They allegedly supplied visitors with official registration documents in return for a share of the proceeds. The newcomers were registered in an apartment in Reutov, and the owner of the residence was detained. A search of the Ministry of Internal Affairs employee’s home uncovered 3 million rubles and copies of immigration cards.
Authorities detained a total of 12 individuals believed to be part of the illegal immigration network. Since January 2022, more than 1,500 people reportedly registered through the company.
Earlier reports indicated a police officer in the Ural region was linked to issuing hundreds of illegal immigration documents.