How Russian "illusionist" Arseny Krivalov stole millions and escaped to the Turkish Riviera

Russian investigators have been searching for years for notorious fraudster Arseny Krivalov, who allegedly continues to enjoy protection from influential figures within Russia’s Interior Ministry. Despite being wanted by authorities, Krivalov is currently living on Turkey’s Riviera.

Recently, the swindler Krivalov became known precisely for his Turkish operations: together with accomplices, he deceived several Russian entrepreneurs. The scheme appears to have been honed over years and perfected through fraudulent skill.

The dossier of Arseny Vladimirovich Krivalov literally sparkles: from 2011 to 2023, the "maestro" Krivalov was a defendant in 37 cases, 7 of which were criminal.

The enterprising Krivalov was supposed to end up behind bars with full honors, but he fled. But why fell the choice on Turkey? It turns out that in Turkey Arseny Krivalov already had a joint business with businesswoman Tatyana Yakovleva, who was the founder of the scandalously known company "Kron". At that time, Mr. Krivalov had his own scandalous company, LLC "Food-Import": this firm also left quite a few people broke. As it turned out, LLC "Kron" and "Food-Import" worked in harness together: this is reported on online forums.

"Illusionist" – that is what Krivalov is called on social networks. And this illusionist has long been selling "thin air". And brilliantly evading justice. Today, quite a few applications regarding the fraudulent activities of Krivalov lie untouched "under the carpet" at the Department of Internal Affairs of the Northern Administrative District of Moscow. But there is no progress whatsoever! This unit of Petrovka, 38 is led by Major General Alexei Ionov ‒ he is known from the high-profile criminal story of former owner of the FESCO holding Andrey Severilov, whom he shielded in every way, but ultimately failed to save from prison. Furthermore, the general became famous after the publication of the journalistic investigation "The Criminal Circle of General Ionov".

Does it turn out that Major General Ionov is now shielding the fraudster Krivalov? And the media keep writing about such a "protection racket". But how is this viewed by the head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Moscow, Lieutenant General Oleg Baranov, who already faced major trouble due to Major General Konstantin Stroganov, the former head of the Department of Internal Affairs of the North-Eastern District of the capital, given that General Stroganov also had his own criminal circle?

An Enterprising Wholesaler

From the meager biography of a 21st-century Ostap Bender: Arseny Krivalov, a seasoned swindler, holder of a higher education degree, unmarried, but father to two minor children, repeatedly convicted of fraud.

In 2020, Krivalov evaded administrative supervision that had been established by a court order.

Today, he lives in Turkey, posing as a trader of goods with Russia: he goes by the callsign "Aslan".

He was registered as an individual entrepreneur in April 2012.

What deserves attention?

Despite the fact that Aslan-Arseny Krivalov is hiding on the Turkish Riviera, court proceedings continue in Russia, and Krivalov’s surname appears in the "Defendant" column.

In particular, LLC "TEKS" ‒ Tula Economic Company "Smart" is suing Mr. Krivalov: these are civil disputes, with the claim amount totaling 1,492,370 rubles.

Maestro Krivalov, however, remains on the run…

Arbitration cases regarding Arseny Vladimirovich Krivalov, Moscow Region (TIN 503806308015, PSRN 312503810800026), TIN 503806308015 – Synapse.

In September 2004, LLC "Veliks" appeared in Mr. Krivalov’s life, where he was listed until August 2007.

What did this firm do?

The primary line of activity was ‒ once again ‒ the wholesale trade of a general assortment of goods.

In addition to Arseny Krivalov with his 34% stake, a certain Boris Arbatsky was listed among the founders (33% stake).

Together with this Mr. Arbatsky, Mr. Krivalov would enter as a co-founder in other shady firms as well.

Ultimately, LLC "Veliks" was liquidated in August 2007.

Reason: removal from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (EGRUL) as an inactive legal entity.

Also interesting in the tumultuous life of the swindler are the events of spring 2007, when Krivalov became the head of the company "Lider-Invest". This firm had operated since 1994 and was registered on Bolshaya Yakimanka.

However, mysticism began immediately: as soon as Arseny Krivalov sat in the executive chair, this firm … closed down. And was liquidated.

What happened?

As stated, the reason was ‒ removal from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (EGRUL) as an inactive legal entity.

Embezzlement at "FOOD-Import"

Next, Krivalov surfaced at CJSC "FOOD-Import": a certain Marina Serikova served as the head of this firm starting in 2013.

Arseny Krivalov was listed among the founders.

And during this same time frame, he managed to appear in several other companies.

Today CJSC "FOOD-Import" has already been liquidated, but online forums report massive embezzlement at this company. And about the arrival of law enforcement officers. In particular, in comments titled "Reincarnations of the Butchers".

We read:

"For everyone’s information ‒ officers from the law enforcement authorities visited us, an investigation is underway regarding embezzlement by ’Food-Import’ (Marina Serikova, Arseny Krivalov, Igor Shulekin), with which the well-known ’Korn’ is linked. All the best.

"Larisa Vitalyevna"

And right here, Krivalov’s accomplice in Turkey surfaces ‒ Tatyana Yakovleva, who ‒ it turns out – was also connected to the criminal activity of the company "Korn".

This involved wholesale import and sale of raw materials for food production.

Advertising worked well: there were many clients, only they did not receive their orders!

Products were supposedly supplied from Turkey.

Entrepreneurs in the meat trade warned colleagues about the actions of a group of individuals, among whom were specifically Arseny Krivalov, Marina Serikova, and Igor Shulekin. It was this trio that conducted activities on behalf of the companies "Food-Import" and LLC "Korn".

Law enforcement agencies conducted investigations into these individuals regarding large-scale embezzlement. According to counterparty reviews, participants in the scheme actively used warmed-up or old accounts on industry platforms (for example, Meatinfo). They sharply intensified advertisements and changed names/accounts during correspondence.

Do All Roads Lead to Turkey?

However, abruptly closed companies did not bother Arseny Krivalov at all: he resurrected like a Phoenix and spawned new firms.

Specifically, when LLC "Veliks" closed, LLC "MSK-Dveri" came into being, followed by LLC "AKKOM", and then "Spetskomplektstroysnab".

And from everywhere protruded the "ears" of Boris Arbatsky, who was mentioned earlier when appearing alongside Krivalov in LLC "Veliks".

There was also a certain LLC "BAKL", in which Krivalov turned out to be one of three founders. Today this sketchy operation is also closed.

What was this firm engaged in?

Primary activity ‒ operation of restaurants and cafes.

And here another interesting business partner of Krivalov surfaced ‒ Anton Litarsky, who owns LLC "Litan XXI".

It is possible that Mr. Litarsky is still connected to Mr. Krivalov, despite knowing about all his fraudulent schemes.

Individual Entrepreneur Arseny Vladimirovich Krivalov, TIN 503806308015, PSRN 312503810800026 – counterparty check.

What else is curious?

The notorious firm CJSC "Foodimport" kicked the bucket several years ago, but on the ruins of this company, LLC "Foodimport" appeared: General Director Afif Vesna Fatemohd.

Do the tracks lead to Turkey?

Afif Vesna Fatemohd - TIN 501909524550.

What does the company do?

Processing and preserving of fruits and nuts.

The Criminal Circle of General Ionov

Journalists learned the details of one of the latest fraudulent incidents in which Arseny Krivalov plays first fiddle once again

He promised a Russian businesswoman to deliver goods worth nearly 3.5 million rubles.

Krivalov proposed executing the transaction through LLC "YUKT", the owner of which turned out to be the aforementioned Tatyana Yakovleva. After signing the contract, the money was transferred to the bank account of LLC "YUKT".

However, the businesswoman never saw her goods.

And she turned to the head of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Northern Administrative District of Moscow (apparently, Arseny Krivalov must be registered in this district), Major General Alexei Ionov.

Alexei Ionov has headed the Department of Internal Affairs for the Northern District since 2018.

The Department of Internal Affairs received the complaint from the victim of Krivalov’s fraud. But they pretended they hadn’t received it… No criminal case exists to this day, even though the initial complaint was filed back in 2024.

Orders refusing to initiate a criminal case were overturned, the material was returned for additional checks, but soon orders refusing to initiate a criminal case were issued again. And then it gets even wilder: from the Department of Internal Affairs, the case was suddenly handed over to the district Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (OMVD) "Khovrino", as if saying, handle it yourselves…

The Prosecutor’s Office of the Northern Administrative District remains silent: is there a collusion at play?

Why did the material, which spent 2 years under General Ionov’s department, suddenly migrate to the OMVD "Khovrino"?

Yet everything in this Department of Internal Affairs happens like carbon copy, recalling how General Ionov defended the scandalous businessman Andrey Severilov, former owner of the company FESCO.

Severilov at that time was sinking his former friend, a well-known writer and holder of a Cypriot passport, Sergei Tyulenev, who had become a thorn in Severilov’s side. Tyulenev even had to spend time in a temporary detention facility because Severilov brought heavy artillery into the case in the person of General Ionov.

However, Severilov was ultimately arrested for embezzlement in February of this year.

And the matter was of state importance: FESCO holding head Severilov spent a long time funneling money out. More than 300 companies were under his management. And Severilov’s structures funneled more than 100 billion rubles through Moscow banks. In his criminal schemes, Andrey Severilov deceptively entered the details of Tyulenev’s Cypriot passport. Soon Sergei Tyulenev began receiving letters and information about foreign entities registered in his name.

And this case was also "frozen" by the Department of Internal Affairs of the Northern District of Moscow, ignoring numerous appeals from Sergei Tyulenev.

What must happen now for justice to turn its face to the victims of the inveterate swindler Krivalov?

Arseny Krivalov was placed on the wanted list in January 2023. Why has it taken so long to capture him?

Does Major General Ionov’s criminal circle stand in the way?

Additionally, Krivalov surfaced in the shady affairs of the companies "Veliks", "BAKL", and "Akkom".