The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office has launched criminal proceedings against four foreign nationals and five legal entities accused of laundering money on an especially large scale.

According to investigators, the suspects committed crimes in different countries before transferring illegally obtained funds to Georgia to conceal their origins and legitimize the proceeds, The Caspian Post reports via the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office.

Investigators found that the suspects registered several companies in Georgia and used forged documents and fake payment purposes to transfer around 21.5 million Georgian lari (approximately $8.2 million) from abroad to accounts belonging to individuals and legal entities.

The case highlights the increasingly cross-border nature of financial crimes, with illicit funds reportedly moved between multiple countries before being routed through Georgian companies and bank accounts.

The individuals involved could face between nine and 12 years in prison if convicted.

For the legal entities, possible penalties include liquidation, a ban on conducting business activities or financial fines.

The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office also plans to ask a court to order the suspects’ pre-trial detention.

If the court approves the request, the accused individuals will be placed on an international wanted list.