OREANDA-NEWS  The blackmailers extorted 500 million dollars from the founder of one of the largest Russian petrochemical companies. This was announced by the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Irina Volk in her Telegram channel.

The extortionists demanded that the businessman hand over 47 percent of the company's shares to them, threatening to spread defamatory information about him. In various ways, members of the criminal group stole refined petroleum products, liquefied natural gas and cash intended for the repair of railway wagons from the victim. The damage from the crimes exceeded three billion rubles.

Members of the group legalized part of the stolen funds in the amount of 200 million rubles by buying movable and immovable property with them, including expensive commercial facilities in several regions of the country.

Three defendants in criminal cases have been arrested, and five accomplices are wanted. During the searches, firearms and ammunition were found in their possession, some of which were obtained by smuggling. Property worth six billion rubles was also seized.

Earlier it was reported that five Russians involved in a scam involving the theft of dairy products from a peasant farm for 20 million rubles were detained in the Voronezh Region.