On July 29, authorities in the UAE extradited blogger Lusik Karapetyan to Russia in connection with a fraud case involving betting schemes, as reported by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Karapetyan was detained by local law enforcement back in August 2023. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the perpetrators promised victims winnings from bets on sports matches, but instead, they embezzled the funds.
She faces charges under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which can lead to up to 10 years in prison. The Prosecutor General's Office claims that from December 2020 to April 2021, she acted as part of an organized group, stealing $85,000 from citizens, causing significant damage. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Internal Affairs describes her as the organizer of a group formed in 2022.
To attract victims, Karapetyan posted photos and videos on her social media showcasing her wealth and promoted investment services with promises of high returns. After the case was initiated, the blogger fled abroad, and a court issued an arrest warrant in absentia, leading the Prosecutor General's Office to place Karapetyan on an international wanted list.