The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has finalized its investigation into one of the biggest financial fraud schemes in Albania, bringing charges against 16 individuals and 4 legal entities.
The accused are suspected of being part of a structured criminal group that, over a period exceeding nine years, allegedly defrauded thousands of economically vulnerable citizens through an aggressive and illegal microcredit and enforcement system.
At the center of the scheme was Arben Meskuti, identified as the organizer and leader of the criminal group, alongside his associates, which included former executives and employees of Micro Credit Albania, Final, ADCA companies, and the enforcement office TDR Group.
They face charges including “Fraud with serious consequences,” “Document forgery,” “Organized criminal group,” and other related offenses.
According to SPAK, the criminal group operated a complex network involving:
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Use of the same computer system to manipulate financial data;
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Illegal transfer of obligations among family members;
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Expansion of debts through daily interest rates up to 2%;
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Unlawful seizure of assets for minimal amounts;
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Holding thousands of citizens’ bank accounts hostage for years;
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Fictitious auctions transferring property ownership to companies.
The investigation uncovered that through pressure tactics, unlawful notifications, and threatening phone calls to debtors and their relatives, the group caused significant economic and social harm. Numerous citizens lost their assets and sank into debts exceeding the original value of their loans.
As part of property security measures, SPAK has seized:
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All assets of Micro Credit Albania and Final sh.p.k., including movable and immovable property;
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Approximately 420 million Albanian lek and 1.3 million euros in bank accounts, deposits, and treasury bonds of the defendants.
The case will be tried by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime. SPAK emphasizes that this is one of the most significant cases aimed at dismantling a criminal system intertwined with Albania’s non-banking financial sector.