Police Arrest 7 for Luring Men with Fake Profiles and Group Assaults

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has arrested 7 people on charges of organizing group violence, robbery and extortion.

According to the investigation, the suspects created fake profiles under women's names on various social networks, contacted men and arranged meetings for the purpose of getting acquainted. Upon arrival, the victims were attacked by groups and physically assaulted.

According to the ministry, the evidence established that one of the suspects formed an organized criminal group. Together with its members, he planned attacks on citizens, physical retaliation against them and the unlawful acquisition of material benefits. The meetings were arranged at pre-selected locations.

The suspects dealt with citizens with particular cruelty, using bladed weapons and sharp objects to demonstrate force, subjecting them to verbal and physical abuse, and unlawfully taking their money and personal belongings.

Members of the group filmed the beating and humiliation of the victims on mobile phones, spread the videos on social networks, and continued to psychologically pressure and extort money from the same people.

During searches, bladed weapons, masks, tactical equipment, mobile phones and computer equipment were seized as evidence.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 178, 181 and 225 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for imprisonment of up to 12 years.