Three persons were arrested in Chisinau on suspicion of blackmail. The General Police Inspectorate said the three are aged between 29, 32 and 35 and are members of criminal groups operating in Russia and Ukraine. Claiming alleged debts, these threated persons with physical harassment in order to get money from them, IPN reports.

A victim complained to the police, which established that the suspects intended to come to Moldova to obtain US$100,000 from the man.

On December 27, these entered the apartment of the victim’s mother, posing as couriers. They told the woman that her son owes them money and, taking a picture of her, sent this to the man. The police arrested the suspects when they were intimidating the woman.

According to the police, the group’s head earlier worked as a prosecutor in Ukraine. Another member of the group is a former Ukrainian service member who deserted to the Russian army and is a martial arts instructor in the armed forces in Donbas region.

The group members were placed under arrest for 72 hours initially and are to be held on remand for 30 days.