NSS Uncovers Another Case of Extortion

The National Security Service (NSS) has received factual data indicating that one of the citizens of Armenia has extorted money from the territorial military commissioner of the Ministry of Defense in Lori Province. The individual allegedly threatened to disclose damaging information to the NSS about three young men of conscription age, claiming to illegally exempt them from mandatory military service.

In October 2019, the extortionist demanded a large sum of $30,000 be transferred to two bank accounts, citing the threat of informing the NSS of the fabricated information. The NSS press service reports that during the investigative operations, additional details were obtained from another citizen who had also been contacted using the same phone number, involving a demand for $15,000 under similar threats.

Through extensive operational-investigative measures, the identities of the perpetrators have been established. The involved individuals have been clarified. In connection with the evident criminal activity, a criminal case has been initiated in the NSS investigative department under the relevant article of the Criminal Code, and on November 21, 2019, it was forwarded to the Investigative Committee of Armenia for further investigation.