As a result of the complex activities carried out by several departments of the RA State Revenue Committee's investigation and operational intelligence department, an interconnected chain of importing mobile phones and computer equipment from the United Arab Emirates and their subsequent shadow sale in Armenia was revealed.
It was found that around 8-10 persons operating in the same group, through companies registered under the names of different persons, imported large quantities of mobile phones, laptops and other computer equipment from the UAE to Armenia during 2026.
Using the import features the goods were imported without making the appropriate tax payments at that time, and later in a short period of time, were realized without corresponding tax accounts. The income received from the sale was not fully reflected in the tax calculations, as a result of which the resulting taxes were not paid to the state budget.
The goods were sold in Armenia from apartments, places of trade, as well as through delivery.
As a result of the complex measures, the mechanism to ensure the continuity of the activity was also revealed. In particular, it was found that after carrying out imports through separate companies for a certain period of time, persons operating in the same group continued the same activities through newly registered companies.
A report on the damage of around 75 million drams caused to the state by one of the companies affiliated with the same group was submitted to the Investigative Committee, where criminal proceedings were initiated.
The actions of the members of the group and the ways of transporting the goods were recorded during the external observation carried out with the permission of the court.
In particular, 120 mobile phones imported to Armenia through one company were taken from "Zvartnots" International Airport and moved to the apartment used by the group members. The imported phones were found during a search of the apartment with the permission of the court.
In general, it was found that the persons operating in the same group were involved in the importation and further sale of goods carried out through at least five different companies.
Through those five companies, 1,946 mobile phones with a customs value of about 753 million drams, as well as computer equipment, cameras and other products with a customs value of about 98.5 million drams were imported into Armenia. The total customs value of the imported goods was about 851 million drams, and the damage caused to the state was about 190.2 million drams. Regarding the activities of these companies, crime reports were submitted to the RA Investigative Committee, where criminal proceedings were initiated.
At present, measures and administrative actions are ongoing in order to find out the entire movement of goods, the scope of the persons involved in the activity, the companies used, the actual volumes of sale and the full extent of the damage caused to the state.
The State Revenue Committee of RA will continue the work of uncovering shady activities in the sphere of circulation of high-value and fast-moving goods, focusing on the cases where companies registered under the names of different persons and following each other are used in order to avoid tax obligations and ensure the continuity of activities.
Notice: The person suspected or accused of the alleged crime is considered innocent, until his guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, by a legally binding court verdict.
