Group charged with defrauding real estate buyers through forged papers

A group of four individuals has been charged with defrauding real estate buyers by using forged documents misrepresenting the value of land plots in Georgia, the Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office said on Monday.

The body said the individuals had appropriated ₾221,725 ($85,000) from citizens interested in buying land plots by using forged papers indicating presence of real estate on them.

The documents were used to artificially inflate the value of the plots, the Office added, noting the locations were “unsuitable for accommodation”.

Using the scheme, the group was able to defraud five individuals through deals struck with their targets.

One of four arrested individuals has been released on bail, with the group facing seven to 10 years in prison.