Moldovan anticorruption centre detains former MP suspected in file of Savings Bank frauds

Chisinau, 25 May /MOLDPRES/ – An ex-member of the Moldovan Parliament was detained by the officers of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) in the file of frauds of Savings Bank of Moldova (BEM), Social Bank and Unibank. This one, together with three representatives of an economic agent, are suspected of money laundering.

According to CNA, the former deputy, being the manager and the beneficial owner of Toast Delux SRL and IPA International Project Agency, along with intercepted persons, would have committed money laundering in several episodes.

In 2012-2014, several offshore companies, based on fictitious consultancy services, transferred to the non-resident IPA International Project Agency, with open accounts in Liechtenstein $440 thousand. Analyzing the money trajectory, it was found that they were derived from bad loans, taken away from BEM, Unibank and the Social Bank in 2012-2014 by off-shores.

It was also established that in 2013 Toast Delux SRL, the beneficiary of which is the former deputy, would have obtained from Unibank another non-pledged loan worth MDL 5 million. Then, the funds were converted and transferred via a group of companies to a non-resident company. Finally, the amount of $401,650 came to Rouseau Alliance LP accounts that transferred it to BEM, for assigning non-performing loans.

The former legislator and his three accomplices risk up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Now, the ex-deputy is being also investigated for violating the legal status of property declaration, on the ground that in his wealth statement he maintained the title of a company, alleged to being involved in bank fraud.

(Reporter A. Zara, editor M. Jantovan)