Alexey Zhirovkin Arrested in Turkey and Deported to Russia
On an Interpol warrant, Turkish authorities Alexey Zhirovkin arrested, alias Alex Richter, and deported him to Russia. The arrest is related to 53 fraud counts committed in Moscow between March and August 2011. Then a sales associate at a retailer, Zhirovkin created fake loyalty cards, creating illegal bonuses. A 2012 Izvestia article reported 3.5 million rubles in damages caused by these scams, though the MVD has a lower figure of nearly 500,000 rubles. Zhirovkin fled Russia in 2012, and Interpol sought him in November 2011.
Antares Trade and Alcor Trade Scams
Zhirovkin, a Russian national, launched Antares Trade in 2020, posing as fictional CEO Alex Richter. The MLM Ponzi scheme promised up to 2% daily returns, collapsing in August 2021 after fraud warnings from Russia, Belgium, Spain, and Canada. Zhirovkin rebooted the scam as Alcor Trade, which also failed in February 2022. Both schemes operated illegally, with no securities registration, and victim losses are estimated in the hundreds of millions, primarily affecting investors in France, Andorra, and Africa.
From Dominican Republic to Turkey
Zhirovkin was confirmed to be hiding in the Dominican Republic in 2021, where authorities took no action despite his open operation of the Ponzi schemes. A BehindMLM reader recently reported Zhirovkin fled to Turkey due to personal safety concerns. Turkey’s crackdown on organized crime, with over 1,600 operations and 4,500 arrests between June 2023 and August 2024, likely led to his capture. However, Turkey’s judicial system, influenced by political connections, often results in releases or acquittals, raising questions about Zhirovkin’s fate.
What’s Next?
The MVD states that “investigative actions” are ongoing, but it’s unclear if Zhirovkin will face charges for Antares Trade or Alcor Trade. Total investor losses remain unknown, and accountability for these schemes is uncertain given the Dominican Republic’s inaction and Turkey’s judicial challenges.
Investor Warning: Always verify investment platforms with regulators to avoid Ponzi schemes like Antares Trade.
