New details have emerged from criminal file No. 4099, which is linked to a group of call centers located in the “Delijorgji” complex in Tirana, suspected of defrauding dozens of citizens from Canada and England through an IP address identified as active in London.
Although the premises where the operators worked were physically located in Tirana, the investigation proved that the IP used for this illegal activity appeared to be based in England.
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Following complaints and the verifications carried out, Tirana prosecutor Bledar Velikaj expanded the investigation into the people who owned this call center site, while various citizens are suspected of having been deceived and of losing their savings after just one phone call.
In connection with this case, Ernest Kurti, Amanti Jeshili, Elio Dyrmishi and Marjo Myftari have been arrested and are in prison. They are accused of “Computer Fraud” committed in collaboration, “Illegal Employment” and “Concealment of Income.”
According to the investigation data, Ernest Kurti was known by the nickname “Maksi” and had the role of manager, Marjo Myftari was an agent, Amanti Jeshili served as “IT,” while Eljo Dyrmishi handled support.
The detainees had an organizational role in managing the call center floor and, according to the case file, hid behind false identities such as “Maks,” “Majkëll,” “Xhejson,” “Olivia,” “Neit,” “Elsa,” “Belvedero” and “Grifin.”
The investigative file also sets out how employees were recruited through the Instagram page “DUA PUNË,” how the fraud scheme targeting citizens from Canada, England and other European countries worked, as well as how employees were paid.
One of the operators, Klajdi B., told Tirana Police that he had learned about the job on “Instagram,” where he arranged a meeting and was received by a young man who interviewed him, introducing himself as “Maks,” though he did not know his real name. According to him, at first he heard the other operators talking about stock market investments and the clients were mainly Canadian citizens. He said the operators offered cryptocurrency investments, promising returns 2 or 3 times higher than the amount invested. When the client agreed, they initially invested around $250 and were then passed on to another operator called “Retention,” while regarding what followed, he said he had no knowledge.
Another operator, Serxhio M., also testified to Tirana Police that the work he carried out was “Recovery,” which consisted of contacting people who had lost money on investments and promising that it would be returned. According to him, this was fraud because nothing was returned to them, and at first they were made to pay 200 euros, after which they were passed on to other unknown people. He said that Ernest Kurti had interviewed and hired him, and that Kurti was also the manager of the entity. Payment was given in cash at the beginning of the first week of the new month and amounted to 1,000 euros. According to his testimony, Ernest Kurti set the rules and the way the work was carried out, while Elio Dyrmishi dealt with technical support for the network and computer equipment.
According to the investigative file, the statements of the people found at the searched premises, the inspection reports and the seized materials create reasonable suspicion that Ernest Kurti, Amanti Jeshili, Elio Dyrmishi and Marjo Myftari organized and carried out a structured activity through computer systems and online platforms, with the aim of obtaining unjust financial gain at the expense of foreign nationals.
During the search of the premises adapted as a “Call Center,” 94 computer units, laptops, mobile phones, databases containing the personal data of foreign nationals, as well as programs and platforms used to communicate with potential clients, were found.
Employees’ statements showed that the operators contacted foreign individuals, mainly Canadians, promising either the recovery of previous financial losses or major profits from stock market and cryptocurrency investments.
Testimony from citizens Noel Sulollari, Heljos Reka, Serxhio Meta, Adrian Elezaj, Klejdi Balla, Brikena Myftari, David Kapxhiu, Jeton Mziu and many other employees shows that the operators contacted foreign nationals, mainly from Canada, England and other countries, presenting investment opportunities in stocks, cryptocurrencies and forex, or promising to recover previous financial losses.
According to the investigative materials, these citizens were shown fictitious platforms displaying false monetary amounts or alleged profits in order to persuade them to make further payments or investments.
The employees also stated that after the victims invested the requested sums, the funds were not returned and communication was then cut off.
These circumstances, according to the case file, create reasonable suspicion that the activity carried out on these premises was fraudulent in nature and was conducted through the use of computer systems and electronic platforms, raising reasonable suspicion that the elements of the criminal offense of “Computer Fraud” committed in the form of collaboration have been fulfilled.
