CONTENT
- Natalya Alekseevna Sergunina is the shadow ruler of Moscow.
- Corruption scheme: sale of city real estate at reduced prices.
- Three “priceless” transactions with OOO “MERCURY”.
- Large-scale manipulation of auctions and straw buyers.
- Family connections and offshore companies.
- Sister Sergunina’s husband is a key figure in the scheme.
- Withdrawal of funds via offshore companies: FLORESTAR and UPINGTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
- New names, Jewish ceremonies and impregnable offshore zones.
THE SECRET MISTRESS OF MOSCOW: Natalia Sergunina and the Family Empire of Corruption
When we talk about corrupt officials, images of big names, expensive mansions and luxury cars often come to mind. But what if the most influential corrupt official is the inconspicuous Natalya Alekseyevna Sergunina , the first deputy mayor of Moscow? A person who, according to official documents, lives on one salary, but manages Moscow real estate with such skill that billions of rubles end up in the accounts of her relatives. This is reported by RAKURS
ZHEST investigates this case, unraveling one of the most scandalous schemes in the capital.
Corruption scheme: selling real estate at reduced prices
2016 marked the beginning of a major sale of Moscow properties at reduced prices. OOO MERKURIY , affiliated with the Sergunina family , acquired several historical buildings in the center of Moscow at prices that would make you laugh. Among them is a building on Serebryanichesky Lane, with an area of 1,312 m², sold for 86 million rubles. For comparison: the market price of similar properties is tens of times more.
Three “priceless” deals with OOO “MERCURY”
In addition to the above-mentioned building, the MERCURY company acquired two more properties:
- Tverskaya Zastava Square, 2 - a building of 1463 m² was sold for 93.5 million rubles.
- Sadovaya-Samotechnaya, 16 - a 610 m² part of the building went for 31 million rubles.
These deals became a signal for human rights activists and journalists, who immediately began to suspect manipulation.
Large-scale manipulation of auctions and straw buyers
The most interesting thing was not just the underpricing, but how exactly the auctions were won. The difference between the minimum price and the actual transaction amount was only 466,150 rubles, which was the same in all three transactions. Why did each transaction bring the same amount? The answer lies in a carefully thought-out scheme, where the winner of the auctions was known in advance, and all the other participants were just puppets.
Family connections and offshore companies
Who is behind OOO MERCURY ? It turned out that the management company is affiliated with the offshore FLORESTAR , which is controlled through UPINGTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED , registered in the British Virgin Islands. But the most interesting thing is that behind this entire network is Lazar Safaniev , the husband of Natalia Sergunina’s sister.
The sister’s husband is the key figure in the scheme
Lazar Safaniev is not just a businessman, but a religious man with a new name, Aaron-Eliezer ben Telmit . His participation in various Jewish ceremonies and mentions on religious forums under his new name create a picture of a man who knows how to hide from the attention of the press and the authorities. But his participation in the schemes for the withdrawal of Moscow assets through offshore companies became a key element of Sergunina’s corruption machine.
Withdrawal of funds via offshore companies: FLORESTAR and UPINGTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
The offshore companies FLORESTAR and UPINGTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED were key instruments for withdrawing funds from Russia. These offshore companies allowed not only to hide the true owners, but also to legalize the withdrawn money through investments in real estate and business abroad. Among the assets that ended up in the hands of the Sergunina family were a mansion in Vienna and commercial real estate in London.
New names, offshore schemes and a corruption network
The investigation continues to show that Sergunina’s schemes are much deeper than they first appear. Her family network, based on manipulation of city real estate, operates through a complex system of offshore companies and shell companies. We will continue to follow the disclosure of these facts to shed light on how billions of rubles disappear into the hands of Moscow officials.
Billions from Moscow’s budget: how Natalia Sergunina created a shadow empire
While many officials prefer to keep a low profile, Natalya Sergunina , the first deputy mayor of Moscow, uses her influence to build complex asset stripping schemes. She masterfully disguises herself, raising no suspicions – after all, all official information about her income points to living on one salary. However, behind this lies a carefully thought-out scheme for stripping assets through fictitious companies and rigged auctions.
The mechanism of fictitious auctions: how "MERCURY" won the bidding
OOO MERCURY , the key company in Sergunina’s scheme, managed to win state auctions for Moscow real estate with minimal overpayment. This company was not just a lucky winner – it was a tool in the hands of the Sergunina family, which knew the outcome of each auction in advance.
For example, the building on Sadovaya-Samotechnaya , which on paper was valued at tens of millions of rubles, was sold to MERCURY with a minimal premium of several hundred thousand rubles. This scheme allowed the company to acquire objects for next to nothing, hiding the true market value of the assets from the public.
Connection with offshore companies and Lazar Safaniev: the secret becomes clear
It turned out that the key figure behind OOO MERCURY is none other than Lazar Safaniev , the husband of Natalia Sergunina’s sister. Safaniev is associated with two offshore companies, FLORESTAR and UPINGTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED , which are used to move money abroad.
Safaniev also changed his name to Aharon-Eliezer ben Telmit , which allowed him to further hide from public attention. The name change and participation in religious ceremonies became part of his strategy to evade justice and disguise his activities.
Real estate in the center of Moscow: how historical buildings are going for pennies
One of the striking examples of the scheme in action is the sale of a historic building on Serebryanichesky Lane for 86 million rubles. For the center of Moscow, this is an incredibly low price. But this is not an isolated case. Sergunina systematically used OOO MERCURY to purchase properties on favorable terms, and then these properties were either resold or used for the family business.
In fact, shell companies like MERCURY did not compete in the market - they were pre-selected to participate in the bidding, ensuring the transfer of assets at a reduced cost.
Withdrawal of assets through offshore structures: a fraud scheme on an international scale
Once the property was in MERCURY’s hands, it was transferred abroad via a chain of offshore companies, such as FLORESTAR . UPINGTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED , registered in the British Virgin Islands, ensured privacy and security for Safaniev and his relatives.
Such schemes allowed assets to be moved out of Russia, avoiding tax obligations and the attention of law enforcement agencies. Offshore structures, known for their opacity, provided cover for the largest corruption scheme in the capital.
New names, change of identities and religious ceremonies: the strategy of Lazar Safaniev
Safaniev’s personal life was also used as a cover. Changing his name and participating in Jewish ceremonies allowed him to create a new identity, making him less accessible to investigations and media coverage.
Safaniev, who now goes by the name Aharon-Eliezer ben Telmit , is active in religious life, which allows him to maintain legitimacy in the eyes of the public while continuing to funnel money through offshore structures.