Russian diamond miner Alrosa has uncovered an internal smuggling scheme in which an employee allegedly swapped low-value diamonds for higher-quality stones and sold them to Armenian smugglers.
According to a company statement released Monday, Alrosa’s internal security team, in collaboration with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), caught a diamond sorter in the act of attempting to smuggle a batch of rough diamonds valued at RUB 1.9 million ($24,153). The intercepted batch weighed approximately 250 carats.
The investigation revealed that the scheme was orchestrated by Alrosa employee V.A. Matyushchenkova, who worked alongside her son, A.I. Matyushchenkov, acting as an intermediary.
Two dual Armenian-Russian nationals, A.P. Petrosyan and A.S. Saakyan, were also involved. They allegedly supplied the low-grade diamonds used for substitution and facilitated the smuggling of the higher-value stones to Armenia.
During subsequent searches, authorities seized critical evidence, including approximately 200,000 carats of industrial diamonds intended for swapping, along with large sums of cash and luxury jewelry believed to have been acquired through the illicit operation.
The four suspects have been detained. Meanwhile, two Armenian brothers identified as the masterminds behind the operation are now internationally wanted for diamond smuggling.
According to the FSB, the stolen diamonds were trafficked to ADM Diamond, an Armenian company reportedly owned by businessman and National Assembly deputy H. Sukiasyan.
Alrosa has launched an internal investigation to determine whether additional employees were involved in the criminal network.
