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Yekaterinburg police investigating 3-billion-rouble theft

Members of criminal group fraudulently drew three billion roubles of credits from commercial banks, offering, as loan collateral, fake real estate documents

YEKATERINBURG, November 29 (Itar-Tass) — Regional police said searches were underway in Yekaterinburg within the framework of the probe into the case over the theft of three billion roubles belonging to Russian banks.

Police have ascertained the identities of nine persons who were members of the criminal group, the press service of the Interior Ministry's department for the Ural Federal District told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

Its members, on behalf of affiliated companies and organizations, fraudulently drew three billion roubles of credits from commercial banks. According to the investigator, they offered, as loan collateral, fake real estate documents or the property that has already been pledged.

"The searches enabled the police to retrieve the documents that make crucial evidence," the press service said.

Police detained the suspected leader of the criminal group. He was identified as Andrei Palferov, a Yekaterinburg resident. He was charged with grand fraud committed by organized group. If found guilty, he may face up to ten years in jail.

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