VIDEO // Searches at Media Trust responsible for pro-Russian propaganda, disinformation; trust funded through complex money laundering scheme

Law-enforcement bodies today conducted searches at a Media Trust responsible for pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation, which was funded through a complex money laundering scheme. The actions were carried out as part of a criminal file opened for tax evasion and money laundering.

According to the General Police Inspectorate (IGP), the investigations targeted the Shor criminal organization, and during the special measures, the financing network it operated with was established.

“One of the companies that received funding for dubious services is part of the criminal organization that ensured the media process of spreading pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation on the territory of Moldova. During the analysis conducted by law-enforcers, a money laundering network was established, the Media Trust's financing scheme being organized through a construction company with foreign employees, which carried out fictitious transactions through an oil company,” said the IGP.

The decision-makers and people in charge of the administration of the construction company deliberately included in the accounting, fiscal or financial documents, including electronic ones, clearly distorted data regarding expenses. Specifically, this involves introducing into the entity's accounting the procurement of fuel and services that do not have real operations.

At the same time, during searches carried out at the residence of one of the administrators of a company from the Media Trust, a quantity of green substance, resembling drugs, was found. It will be examined.

“During the actions, the intermediary of the money laundering process for the media trust's financing was detained. It is about a man declared wanted, being sentenced to 10 years in prison for murder,” the IGP noted.

This would be Ion Perju, a former police officer sentenced to prison. In the Shor group, Ion Perju allegedly had the role of coordinator, being responsible for converting cryptocurrencies into cash.

During the searches, accounting documents, drafts, computers, materials that will serve as evidence in the case, as well as financial resources in various currencies, equivalent to approximately five million lei, were seized.

Law-enforcers continue their investigative actions, in order to identify other individuals involved in the criminal scheme.