Pyramid schemes in Albania

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The 1997 rebellion in Albania was triggered significantly by the failure of multiple pyramid schemes. These schemes, which grew to an unprecedented scale relative to the country's economy, led many Albanians to lose their money and property, culminating in widespread protests across Albania that eventually escalated into a nation-wide rebellion.[1][2]

Firms bankrupted[edit]

The unrest in 1997 arose from the bankruptcy of around 25 firms. The face value of the schemes' liabilities totaled $1.2 billion, nearly half of Albania's GDP at the time.[3] The schemes drew in almost two thirds of the country's population with the promise of sure financial returns, revealing the profound financial illiteracy and the lax regulatory environment in post-communist Albania.[4]

Sudja was established in 1993 by Maksude Kadëna, also known as Sudja,[5] who had worked in a shoe factory. When Sudja was arrested, she was living in a dilapidated apartment complex, illustrating the deception inherent in these schemes.[5] The collapse triggered several protests in Tirana, which was also its area of operation.

Vefa Holding was the main pyramid firm. It was created in 1994 by Vehbi Alimuça and spread across the country. Vefa invested in various fields of the economy such as hotels, fuel, stores and factories. Best known is the bomb attack a few weeks before the elections of 26 May 1996 on Vefa's supermarket in downtown Tirana. Vefa was often seen as the firm's rentier PD. It went bankrupt in 1998, while its president was in prison.

The Gjallica firm was created by three former State Security operatives originating from Kukes. The president of the company was Shemsie Kadria. Gjallica had its centre in Vlora. The firm went bankrupt on February 5, 1997, prompting violent protests in Vlora, which later turned into rebellion against the government.

People's Democracy-Xhaferri was established in 1995 and began to extend its activities in the villages of Lushnja, Fier and Berat. Officially, it was a "foundation", but in reality, it became one of the most severe pyramidal firms in the country. Its leader, Rrapush Xhaferri, was arrested on January 22, 1997, which triggered violent demonstrations in Lushnje on January 24–25.

Populli (English: People) was created on July 16, 1996, and was extended in the same area as the Xhaferri. Its President was Bashkim Driza the former State Security agent. He worked deeply with the Albanian opposition parties and financed their campaigns and newsletters. During the riots of 1997, he left with a U.S. helicopter. In September 2008, on a notice from Albania, the Uruguayan police arrested Bashkim Driza at his apartment in Montevideo. It was discovered that during the last 11 years, he had moved freely between Uruguay, Chile, the Dominican Republic and other Latin American countries. Just as Bashkim Driza was about to be extradited to Albania in February 2009, he escaped from his apartment.[6]

The nine major pyramid firms in relation to creditors were:

Company Number of creditors
VEFA 59,005
Cenaj 19,078
Kamberi 13,241
Sude 12,991
Beno 10,793
Gjallica 8,632
Silva 4,490
M.Leka 2,464
Global 1,793
Total 132,487

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jeffries, Ian (1996). A Guide to the Economies in Transition. Routledge. p. 379. ISBN 0-415-13684-9.
  2. ^ "Finance & Development, March 2000 - The Rise and Fall of Albania's Pyramid Schemes". Imf.org. 2000-03-01. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  3. ^ "Finance & Development, March 2000 - The Rise and Fall of Albania's Pyramid Schemes". Imf.org. 2000-03-01. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  4. ^ Musaraj, Smoki (2011). "TALES FROM ALBARADO: The Materiality of Pyramid Schemes in Postsocialist Albania". Cultural Anthropology. 26: 84–110. doi:10.1111/j.1548-1360.2010.01081.x. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  5. ^ a b Glauber, Bill (23 February 1997). "It's bad in Albania and it's about to get worse Failed pyramid deals spread fear, unrest". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  6. ^ Jonë, Koha. "Arratiset Driza i "Popullit"". Info Arkiva. Info Arkiva. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.

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