MOSCOW, November 14 (RAPSI) - The Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow has sentenced Indian national Jitender Kumar Singla to 6.5 years in prison for defrauding Moscow government of more than 600 million rubles ($18 million), the press office of the Interior Ministry's Department for the Central Federal District told RAPSI.

According to the police, Jitender Kumar Singla 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, they subleased the property in breach of lease agreements. However, Moscow never received the rentals.