Georgian authorities have detained a man accused of orchestrating a 2.6 million lari ($996,000) land fraud scheme involving property owned by a foreign national.

The suspect, who had previously been convicted of fraud three times, formed a criminal group to carry out the scheme, according to Sputnik Georgia.

Using a forged power of attorney, the group arranged a sale agreement for a plot of land in the village of Gamardjveba that belonged to a foreign citizen.

The suspects reportedly presented a notary with a fake power of attorney issued in Greece. The document falsely stated that the foreign owner had transferred full rights to the property to one of the group members, allowing the suspects to legally sell the land without the owner’s authorization.

Authorities uncovered the scheme and detained the suspect.

If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison.