Major fraud in history

Moscow Criminal Investigation Department (CIS) reports the capture of several swindlers involved in an unprecedented fraudulent activity in the sphere of Russian tourism.

They have sold fake tours on a total sum of more than $1 million USD to customers right before New Year's. The criminals were arrested red-handed when they were already selling trips to Portugal for the European Soccer Championship.

According to the Department's press-services, two members Vadim Shur and Andrey Shchegolev of the criminal organization have been arrested April 21.

Moscow law enforcement informs that both men founded a firm “Niko-tours” in November of last year. It began active promotion of its New Year tours to the Caribbean. Police claims that back then, the swindlers managed to trick 250 people for more than $1 million USD, writes newspaper “Vedomosti.”

Investigators consider this to be the major fraud in history.

Both men were arrested in connection with the article 159 part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Both face 10 years of imprisonment.