The Amur Region Prosecutor's Office has referred to court a criminal case involving illegal migration and the trafficking of precious metals. According to the investigation, members of a criminal group brought 24 foreign citizens into Russia between November 2024 and January 2025 under the guise of highly qualified specialists.
The migrants were taken to the Bissa River valley in the Selemdzhinsky District, where they were forced to mine for gold in unauthorized areas. During a raid conducted by law enforcement agencies, more than 15 kilograms of gold and over 1 kilogram of silver were confiscated. The total value of the seized precious metals is approximately 130 million rubles.
The defendants are charged with organizing illegal migration and conducting illegal operations with precious metals. Additionally, one of the group members is suspected of providing fraudulent migration registration for the foreign nationals. Under these charges, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison.
This case highlights the importance of ensuring the legality of documentation when hiring foreign workers. Migrants are advised to verify the legitimacy of their employers' activities and ensure that the proposed working conditions are consistent with those specified in their employment contracts.
