Prosecutors seek detention for three suspects in Kumanovo loan‑shark case
Prosecutors say a group active since 2021 used threats, forged contracts and notary fraud to extort money and launder funds.
The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption has launched an investigation against four people suspected of belonging to a criminal group that allegedly carried out extortion, money laundering and related offences.
Proposal for detention and one suspect abroad
For three of the suspects the office has submitted a proposal for detention to a judge of the Basic Criminal Court Skopje; the fourth suspect is currently outside the country. The investigation document states the group operated over an extended period, beginning in 2021.
According to the prosecution, the group formed by the primary suspect from Kumanovo used severe threats to extort money from victims, often taking advantage of their dependence after prior loans. In one case a victim borrowed €4,000 and verbally agreed to repay it within one month with an additional €2,500 in interest. Even after she repaid the agreed amount, the suspect demanded that she allow his group to move other funds through her bank account; when she refused, threats followed.
The suspects allegedly prepared a fabricated bill of sale to present the victim's car as collateral for an invented debt. They are also accused of creating another forged loan contract for 1,000,000 denars. The prosecution says the suspects falsified the victim’s signature on both documents and had them notarized without her knowledge.
The notary who certified those false documents is himself suspected of negligent performance of official duties; prosecutors have submitted a proposal to the court seeking precautionary measures against him.
In another example from 2021, a different victim borrowed 180,000 denars twice from the suspected organizer to pay for his wife’s medical treatment. Although he repaid those loans according to the agreements, the suspects continued to demand additional payments presented as interest and pressured him to use the organizer’s account to channel large sums obtained by extortion as formal loans, which were then withdrawn in cash.
Photo: press material from the event
