UrBC, Chelyabinsk, December 18, 2019. An organized crime group helping undocumented immigrants get fake authorization papers was uncovered and brought down in the Southern Urals, press service at the Russian Federal Security Service’s Border Control Administration’s Chelyabinsk Region division reports.

‘The primary suspects and alleged accomplices within this organized crime group got detained in Chelyabinsk Region by Counter Terrorism & Counter Extremism Center and Chelyabinsk Region division of Russia’s Internal Affairs Ministry’s Central Investigation Department, with support from the special operations unit,’ the press service says.

It is believed the crime group issued fake residence registrations for a number of foreign nationals, produced fake work contracts using false facts, and transferred illegal immigrants across the border in order to renew their period of stay within Russia. The foreign nationals paid RUB 1,500 to RUB 3,000 for the service.

‘A number of international travel passports, filled-in residence registration forms, and fake work contracts have been found and confiscated during the search. Based on our preliminary estimates, the crime proceeds can amount to more than RUB 3m,’ the press service says.

Chelyabinsk Region division of Russia’s Internal Affairs Ministry’s Central Investigation Department instituted criminal proceedings on the case, with charges based on Article 322.1 (Part 2) of the Russian Federation Criminal Code (Organization of Illegal Migration).