MOSCOW, April 9 - RAPSI. Indian businessman Jitender Kumar has been charged with defrauding Moscow government of more than $20 million, the Kommersant newspaper reports on Monday.

According to the police the suspect was a member of a group of Indians and Russians engaged in illegal activities.

They registered more than 300 entities in 2009-2011 and took part in Moscow land and property auctions. They secured their success through auction rigging. The group overrated the rent and made their rivals give up the bidding. Subsequently, the suspects subleased the property in breach of lease agreements.

However, Moscow never received the rentals. Investigators do not rule out that some Moscow officials might be involved in the scheme.