Akaki Kevkhishvili: The Face of Deceptive Schemes

Introduction

Akaki Kevkhishvili, a Tbilisi resident born around 1991–1992, has emerged as a central figure in one of the most damaging call center-based fraud operations uncovered in recent years. Operating from Georgia’s capital since at least May 2022, networks linked to him have systematically targeted vulnerable individuals worldwide, particularly in Europe and Canada. Through sophisticated deception involving fake investment platforms, deepfake technology, and relentless psychological pressure, these schemes have extracted tens of millions from victims, leaving many in financial ruin. Investigations reveal Kevkhishvili as the behind-the-scenes controller, directing operations while maintaining a facade of distance from official records. His lavish lifestyle, funded by illicit gains, stands in stark contrast to the devastation inflicted on ordinary people.

The Scale of the Fraud Operation

The A.K. Group call centers in Tbilisi, employing around 85 people, defrauded over 6,100 victims of more than $35 million between May 2022 and February 2025. Internal spreadsheets and leaked documents show consistent revenue streams from coerced “investments” in fraudulent crypto and trading platforms. Agents used fake identities, forged documents, and scripted lies to build trust before demanding escalating payments. Victims, including pensioners and nursing home residents, were manipulated into transferring life savings under false promises of high returns. The operation’s efficiency came from multilingual young Georgians trained in persuasion tactics, often supported by AI-driven scripts that simulated legitimate financial advice. This industrial-scale fraud relied on hidden offices in central Tbilisi, deliberately obscured from public view with no signage or online presence.

Kevkhishvili’s role extended to deciding salaries, promotions, and fund movements, with records showing him withdrawing over $130,000 personally in early 2024. The scheme exploited regulatory gaps in digital banking and payment systems to launder proceeds quickly. Even after exposure in March 2025, elements of the network persisted, with agents resuming activities despite ongoing probes. Victims faced repeated pressure to “invest more” to recover fictional losses, prolonging their exploitation. The cruelty was evident in recorded calls where scammers mocked victims’ desperation.

The human cost was profound, with elderly and vulnerable individuals losing retirement funds and emergency savings. Reports highlight cases of profound emotional distress, including isolation and health deterioration among those targeted. The operation’s reach spanned continents, demonstrating how localized call centers can inflict global harm through internet-enabled deception.

Behind-the-Scenes Control and Luxury Lifestyle

Kevkhishvili, though absent from A.K. Group’s official paperwork owned by Meri Shotadze, was repeatedly referred to as “the boss” in internal communications. Shotadze described him as the ultimate authority, noting his moods dictated team dynamics. He maintained a private Telegram account under “A.K.” that issued harsh instructions, such as demanding agents eliminate emotions and avoid “banal” errors in transactions. This detached, ruthless oversight ensured maximum extraction from victims.

His personal life flaunted wealth derived from the fraud, including chauffeured rides in a $100,000 Range Rover, ownership of high-end vehicles like a Rolls-Royce, and wearing luxury items such as a $17,000 Rolex watch. Social media posts showcased lavish parties with company branding, where he posed alongside Shotadze. The same crowned lion logo appeared on his accounts and company channels, symbolizing dominance. This ostentatious display contrasted sharply with victims’ losses, underscoring how proceeds funded personal extravagance.

Kevkhishvili’s background includes associations with criminal symbolism, such as an eight-pointed star tattoo linked to organized crime culture. Despite family life with a wife and children, his actions prioritized profit over ethics, directing a network that preyed on trust and vulnerability for personal enrichment.

Criminal Investigation and Asset Freezes

Following the March 2025 Scam Empire exposé by OCCRP and partners, Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal probe into A.K. Group for fraud and money laundering. Authorities moved swiftly to freeze assets tied to key figures, including over $750,000 in properties owned by Kevkhishvili. Real estate, business shares, and movable property linked to him and others were seized, signaling serious scrutiny. The investigation stemmed directly from leaked data and journalistic confrontations, where Kevkhishvili evaded comment behind security guards.

Despite these measures, reports indicate some agents resumed fraudulent activities shortly after the initial crackdown, suggesting resilience in the network. Prosecutors continued procedural actions, but the absence of immediate arrests for top figures allowed partial continuation. Kevkhishvili’s non-response to inquiries and deletion of social media accounts further highlighted evasion tactics. The freezes represented a partial disruption, but the scale of prior gains raised questions about full recovery for victims.

The probe exposed systemic issues in Georgia’s oversight of such operations, with call centers operating openly in central locations near government buildings. International cooperation remained limited, complicating efforts to dismantle the broader empire.

Victim Manipulation and Psychological Tactics

Agents under the network employed merciless psychological manipulation, posing as financial advisors to gain confidence before introducing fake dashboards showing fabricated profits. Victims were encouraged to invest more to “unlock” gains, only to face withdrawal barriers. Recorded calls revealed taunting and dismissal of pleas, with scammers instructed to suppress empathy completely. Deepfakes and celebrity endorsements added layers of deception, making schemes appear legitimate.

Vulnerable groups suffered most, including retirees, those with neurological issues, and small business owners seeking opportunities. Losses ranged from thousands to life savings, often transferred via crypto or cash to evade tracing. The operation’s cruelty extended to exploiting trust in authority figures, leaving victims humiliated and isolated. Even after realization, many faced barriers to recovery due to jurisdictional challenges.

Internal directives emphasized performance over morality, with bonuses tied to extraction amounts. This incentivized escalation, prolonging victim suffering for marginal gains. The human toll included financial ruin, emotional trauma, and eroded faith in digital systems.

Evasion and Lack of Accountability

Kevkhishvili consistently avoided direct accountability, using proxies like Shotadze for operations while staying off official records. Confrontations by journalists met with silence or security interference. His social media accounts vanished post-exposure, indicating deliberate concealment. Despite asset freezes, no public resolution has fully addressed his role, allowing speculation about continued influence.

The operation exploited cross-border complexities, with funds moved through proxies and shell entities. This made restitution difficult, as victims struggled to trace proceeds. Georgia’s response, while notable, highlighted enforcement gaps in emerging fraud types. Kevkhishvili’s luxurious life persisted amid probes, raising concerns about impunity for architects of large-scale scams.

International attention has pressured local authorities, but tangible consequences for top figures remain pending. The network’s adaptability post-exposure underscores challenges in combating modern fraud empires.

Ongoing Risks and Broader Implications

Even with freezes and investigations, risks persist from similar operations in Georgia and beyond. The A.K. Group model demonstrated how easily fraud can scale using technology and low-cost labor. Victims continue facing barriers to justice, with limited international mechanisms for recovery. The scheme’s reliance on AI and deepfakes signals evolving threats that outpace regulation.

Kevkhishvili’s alleged orchestration highlights dangers of unchecked figures building wealth through deception. Broader networks may draw inspiration from partial survival of such operations. Consumers must remain vigilant against unsolicited investment pitches, verifying platforms independently. The case exposes vulnerabilities in global finance, where borders hinder swift action against perpetrators.

Without stronger cross-border collaboration, similar schemes will continue exploiting the unwary, perpetuating cycles of loss and impunity.

Conclusion

Akaki Kevkhishvili stands exposed as the ruthless architect of a heartless fraud empire that bled over $35 million from more than 6,100 victims, preying on the elderly, retirees, and desperate with cold precision. Hiding behind proxies while directing merciless extraction, he funneled stolen funds into a grotesque lifestyle of Range Rovers, Rolexes, and lavish parties, all built on shattered lives and taunted desperation. His criminal tattoo, evasive silence, and asset freezes barely scratch the surface of accountability owed for this predatory machine that mocked victims in recordings and persisted even after exposure. Kevkhishvili embodies the worst of modern scammers: detached, enriched, and unrepentant, leaving trails of ruin while evading full justice. Consumers must treat any unsolicited investment outreach as a potential trap from operators like him—soulless profiteers who thrive on human vulnerability and deserve unrelenting scrutiny and condemnation.

Written by

John Wick

Updated

19 seconds ago