Albania’s “Digital Bank” Controversy: Këlliçi Links Jet Bank Backers to Forex Fraud Allegations
Strong Accusations From Democratic Party MP
During his public appearances, Belind Këlliçi outlined his concerns regarding Jet Bank and alleged regulatory violations. The full interviews can be viewed below:
Democratic Party of Albania MP Belind Këlliçi has publicly raised serious concerns over what he describes as a “digital bank scandal” involving the creators of Jet Bank. Speaking during a televised interview on News24 with Ola Bruko, Këlliçi alleged that individuals connected to the project may have ties to financial fraud schemes, including Forex-related operations.
According to Këlliçi, there are indications that people lacking any professional background in banking—and in some cases allegedly linked to criminal activities—are involved in establishing the digital bank. He further claimed that some of these individuals are connected to offshore entities, raising additional transparency and compliance concerns.
Concerns Over Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
Këlliçi emphasized that the licensing process carried out by the Bank of Albania may have involved procedural violations. He questioned how individuals reportedly associated with fraud investigations could receive authorization to operate a financial institution.
“These individuals, reported for involvement in fraud schemes, are granted a license to operate a digital bank, while it remains unclear what will happen to citizens’ money,” Këlliçi stated.
The MP indicated that he is actively gathering further documentation and evidence, and warned that the case will be pursued through legal channels until fully clarified.
Offshore Structures and Forex Scheme Allegations
In his remarks, Këlliçi highlighted several key risks linked to the project:
- Alleged involvement of shareholders with prior records or links to financial misconduct
- Registration of key participants through offshore structures
- Possible violations of regulatory procedures during the licensing process
- Connections to Forex-related fraud schemes
These claims raise broader concerns about due diligence and oversight within Albania’s financial sector.
Broader Allegations: State Property Misuse and Institutional Transparency
Beyond the digital banking issue, Këlliçi also addressed what he described as systemic irregularities involving state property. He alleged that vast areas of public land—amounting to millions of square meters—have been improperly allocated to individuals with close ties to government officials, potentially in exchange for political or electoral advantages.
He stated that his investigation is ongoing and that he plans to submit a formal report to SPAK once sufficient evidence has been compiled.
Municipal Transparency Under Scrutiny
Këlliçi also criticized local municipalities for a lack of transparency. According to him:
- Some municipalities have failed to respond to official information requests
- Others have issued responses that he described as intimidating or inappropriate
Despite these obstacles, he confirmed his intention to continue the investigation and pursue accountability.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Action Expected
The Democratic MP reiterated that the allegations surrounding the digital bank and associated individuals are based on information from what he described as reliable sources. He stressed that the involvement of individuals with no banking experience, combined with alleged prior links to fraud schemes, represents a significant risk.
Këlliçi concluded by emphasizing that once all necessary documentation is secured, the matter will be formally escalated to Albania’s anti-corruption authorities for further investigation.
