The swindler who stole using phishing money allegedly for restoration of the temple is detained

[Teacher]

Employees of the Criminal investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Nizhny Novgorod region detained a suspect in fraud under the pretext of collecting money for the restoration of the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Fedorovskoye, Konakovsky district of the Tver region.

"Operatives found out that the attacker conducted a phishing channel in one of the messengers, where he offered citizens to make donations.

To inspire confidence in the audience, the scam artist positioned his channel as the official media resource of the parish. However, he indicated his own banking details for receiving donations, and did not transfer the money received for public needs," said Irina Volk, an official representative of the Russian Interior Ministry.

A criminal case was opened by an investigator of the Department of Internal Affairs of Nizhny Novgorod on the grounds of a crime under Part two of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

"During the search of the defendant's home, computer equipment, work records, bank and SIM cards, as well as other items of evidentiary value were seized. 600,000 rubles were found in the safe, as well as more than 31,000 euros and 78,000 US dollars.

The man was given a preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions. The preliminary investigation continues, " Iryna Volk said.

The rector of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Priest Anthony, thanked the operatives for their efficient work, noting: "The police quickly and efficiently identified the attacker. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Nizhny Novgorod region for their professionalism."

• Video:

 

[Man]

A resident of the Nizhny Novgorod region will answer in court for embezzlement of money under the guise of a fee for the restoration of the temple.

Investigators of the SC of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Nizhny Novgorod Region have completed the investigation of a criminal case against a 51-year-old resident of the city of Vyksa, accused of embezzling money from several citizens under the pretext of collecting donations. The fact that the man collected funds allegedly for the restoration work in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Tver region, but did not transfer the money received for public needs, was reported on our website in February of this year by the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Irina Volk.

During the investigation, it was established that the accused, for mercenary purposes, created channels in the messenger and on video hosting, which he visually designed as media resources of the parish. On their pages, he posted videos from home containing images of Orthodox icons, and called on people to financially participate in the restoration of the temple. To collect donations, the attacker indicated the details of his bank account and in the period from March 2023 to January of this year, he received a total of just over 250 thousand rubles from six concerned citizens. The swindler spent all this money on personal needs.

The illegal activities of the man were suppressed by officers of the fifth department of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Nizhny Novgorod region. While under investigation, he fully compensated the victims for the damage.

Currently, the materials of the criminal case initiated under Part 3 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation have been sent to the Vyksa City Court for consideration on the merits.

Video