David Kezerashvili, Georgia’s former defense minister, has found himself at the center of an international scandal involving a fraudulent call center network that allegedly defrauded millions of dollars from European citizens, particularly pensioners. According to a BBC investigation, the scam operated out of Georgia and Ukraine, using fake investment platforms to lure victims into parting with their savings. Kezerashvili is believed to have played a significant role in the scheme, with the investigation linking his name to the companies involved and suggesting that he may have been a central figure behind the operation.
The operation, commonly referred to as the Milton Group, was a large-scale fraud involving several companies that duped individuals through false promises of lucrative investments in cryptocurrency and other assets. These included “Milton Group” in Ukraine and “Morgan Limited” in Georgia. Victims were shown fake trading platforms that simulated growing profits, only for the scammers to disappear once the victims tried to withdraw their funds. The investigation noted that while no public documentation explicitly tied Kezerashvili to the Milton Group, many former company employees confirmed his involvement.
Kezerashvili has denied any involvement in the fraudulent activities, dismissing the investigation as part of a politically motivated smear campaign against him. He claimed the allegations were baseless and that he would take legal action to clear his name. This is not the first time Kezerashvili has faced legal issues; in 2021, he was sentenced in absentia for embezzling $5 million from the Georgian military during his tenure as defense minister.
Authorities in Georgia and Germany are continuing to investigate the call centers, which reportedly defrauded tens of thousands of victims, particularly in Germany, Slovenia, and Slovakia. In raids carried out by Georgian law enforcement, hundreds of computers and phones were seized, along with large sums of cash. Despite Kezerashvili’s denials, the scandal has raised serious questions about his continued influence in Georgia, especially given his media ownership and political connections.
The fallout from this investigation is ongoing, with both Georgian and European authorities expressing a desire to see Kezerashvili brought to justice. Many in Georgia see this case as part of a broader pattern of corruption linked to the country’s former leadership under the United National Movement. However, Kezerashvili’s supporters argue that the investigation is a political witch hunt orchestrated by his opponents in the Georgian Dream government. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case will likely continue to generate significant attention in both Georgia and Europe.