After the entry of foreigners into Russia, companies did not comply with the obligations provided for by national laws, which allowed migrants to move freely around the country.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) dismantled a large migrant trafficking network by detaining the coordinator and 20 other elements of the criminal organization, the agency reported this Tuesday.
“Criminals offered foreigners fictitious invitations from nominal companies in exchange for payment, with the aim of facilitating their entry into the country with business visas,” said the FSB, cited by the Russian news agency Interfax.
“It was found that the majority of clients were migrants from countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East, who intended to use Russian territory as a means of transit to European countries or to carry out illegal work activities,” the security service said.
After the entry of foreigners into Russia, companies did not comply with the obligations provided for by national laws, which allowed migrants to move freely around the country.
“As of 2024, criminals have legalized the status of more than 2,000 citizens of Asian, Pacific and Middle Eastern countries using this scheme, obtaining illegal profits of at least 500 million rubles [5,40 milhões de euros]”, stated the Federal Investigative Service (FBS).
During the operation, Russian security agents carried out 65 raids in the Rostov, Novgorod, Ivanovo, Leningrad and Perm regions, and interrogated more than 100 people involved and witnesses.
“A large quantity of falsified immigration documents, clandestine accounting records, cash, computers and office equipment were seized,” the agency said, adding that it had initiated a criminal case for organizing illegal immigration.
