Relatives of scammers recorded an appeal to Lukashenka. They say they are ordinary businessmen, simply buying equipment for pennies
People were convicted in the "quick loans" case. According to the investigation, more than 200 people and three banks suffered from the group's actions. The total damage is 875 thousand rubles. But the relatives see no crime in this and say that the statements from the victims were extorted by GUBOPiK (Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption).
Relatives of those convicted in the "quick loans" case. Screenshot of a TikTok video
A video address to Lukashenka appeared on TikTok. The people in the frame say they are relatives of 13 individuals convicted in the "quick loans" case.
They report that this spring, in the Central District Court of Gomel, thirteen young people were convicted (eleven of whom are currently in custody). All of them were found guilty under Part 4 of Article 209 (fraud committed by a group of persons or on an especially large scale). The possible punishment under this article is from 3 to 10 years.
The relatives rather vaguely explain why their loved ones ended up behind bars. They say that what the people did does not constitute a crime. They claim they worked like ordinary entrepreneurs.
A man in the frame says:
— The accusation against our relatives was artificially created. None of the 238 clients, recognized as victims, applied to law enforcement agencies or filed a complaint against the entrepreneur. GUBOPiK and Investigative Committee officers summoned them and forced them to write statements. Many were threatened that otherwise they would be accomplices. The victims' testimonies were not recorded from their words, which many of them openly stated in court. They pointed to pressure from the investigation; the victims' testimonies were all written identically: identical phrases, identical conclusions. How could 238 people, unknown to each other, give identical testimonies?
He also adds that none of the victims stated that they had not been paid the pre-agreed amount. He says the victims confirmed in court that the terms of the deal were met. But the court concluded that the people were deceived.
Another man explains: their relatives were convicted for taking someone else's property through deception. From his words, one can already somewhat understand what this is about.
In short, this scheme is as old as time. People were engaged in microloans. A person was offered to purchase some equipment in a store on credit or in installments. When they received the purchase, it was bought back at a significantly reduced price. Then the gadget was resold for normal money.
On the one hand, the person quickly received money, but on the other hand — they were then forced to repay that high-interest loan for months (or even years).
The relatives say they don't see this as fraud. They claim there was no deception, and their loved ones honestly explained all the nuances of the deal — and others were adults who independently decided whether the scheme suited them or not.
The argument is: people themselves arranged the credit or installment plan. The repayment terms should have been explained in the store. So, they say, what questions can there be for those who have no relation to the agreement for those credits and installment plans?
— They simply bought the equipment later at a specific price, which was agreed upon in advance, and gave the money immediately. At the same time, they formally documented the purchase and sale.
In fact, the "quick loans" case was resonant — "Gomelskaya Pravda" (Gomel Truth) wrote about a family contract. The organizer from Gomel suggested to his wife, an accountant, an idea of how to quickly make money. And then he also found employees in the regions.
The target audience for the scammers-businessmen were pensioners, unemployed, students — in short, those who urgently needed some money.
Advertising flyers were posted throughout the country, and the entrepreneurs' website displayed logos of well-known banks. They worked simply: they collected applications, managers scheduled meetings by phone in shopping centers. On site, people were quickly persuaded to take some expensive equipment on installment. The scammers bought it back for half its cost. Then the gadgets were sold through ads, and the profits were shared.
It is noted that victims rarely contacted the police due to feelings of guilt.
The total estimated damage is 875 thousand rubles. About half was paid before the trial.
The defendants in the case were sentenced to terms ranging from 3 to 8 years in a penal colony. They must also pay a fine — from 100 to 400 basic units, which means from 4500 to 18000 rubles.
However, the relatives say that all this is unfair.
— The investigation and trial were accompanied by unprecedented pressure and cruelty. During court sessions, inadmissible investigative methods, threats, and violence against our relatives during the investigation stage were reported. Moreover, acts of physical violence by police officers who were escorting them occurred directly during breaks between court sessions.
The man says that relatives asked to call an ambulance to the court, to react to the violations, but the court and the prosecutor's representative ignored it.
A woman in the frame quotes Lukashenka: he spoke about the inadmissibility of falsifying criminal case materials and pressuring the accused.
— We ask you to take personal control over the review of this case to ensure a lawful, objective, and fair consideration of the case in the appellate court. We very much hope for your attention to this problem. And that you will not allow violations of legality and justice in our wonderful country. We want to believe that this incident is an exception to the general practice of our state's law enforcement system.
In less than 24 hours, the video gained about half a million views on TikTok. Commenters' opinions were divided: some felt sorry for the relatives, others believed everything was done correctly, and still others complained that there has long been no law in the country.
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