State Security Service of Georgia uncovers illegal business, wire transfer schemes of Iranian citizens

The officers of the Anti-Corruption Agency and Counterterrorism Centre under the State Security Service of Georgia have uncovered an illegal business and wire transfer scheme run by citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Georgia. 

Search and investigative activities have been carried out for several months to uncover the wire transfer scheme which employed the so-called Hawala method, which allowed for the transfer of money from Georgia to the banking system of the Islamic Republic of Iran without a permit for the mentioned activity and bypassing the banking system of Georgia.
 
Those individuals received sums of money in large quantities in return for this service. Officers of the Anti-Corruption Agency and Counterterrorism Centre have conducted searches in the offices and apartments of Iranian citizens located in Tbilisi. 

As a result of the mentioned activities, money in large quantities, so-called “black ledger” and PIN pads manufactured in Iran have been seized, which is evidence of their illegal business activities.

Investigators continue to try to uncover other individuals involved in the criminal activities.