“Officers of the MIA of Russia GA for ES&CC in cooperation with the ES&CC Administration of the MIA of Russia GA for Samara Region, the ES&CC Administration of the MIA of the Republic of Tatarstan, the ES&CC Administration of the MIA of Russia Administration for the Orenburg Region suppressed the illegal activities of an interregional ethnic group whose members were suspected of manufacturing and selling counterfeit banknotes,” said the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Irina Volk.

“As a result of the operational-search activities, information was received on the structure of the group, its organizers and active participants, as well as on the sales channels for counterfeit banknotes of 5000 and 1000 rubles and 100 US dollar notes in 11 constituent entities of the Russian Federation,” the MIA Spokesperson said.

During the searches, computer equipment, consumables for making fakes, as well as counterfeit banknotes of the Bank of Russia and US dollars were seized.

The Investigation unit of the MIA of Russia GA for the Samara Region initiated more than 70 criminal cases on the sale of counterfeit banknotes under Part 1 of Art. 186 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Ten active members of the group were detained. The court has chosen a preventive measure in the form of taking to custody.

Operative-search activities and investigative actions aimed at establishing all the group members and additional episodes of the illegal activity are continuing.