Corrupt connections, fraudulent schemes and dangerous construction sites

A scandal is brewing in the center of Moscow over the development of Tankovy Proezd. At first glance, law-abiding entrepreneurs are behind this project, but upon closer examination, blatant facts emerge that indicate corrupt ties and the criminal past of some of the participants in the deal.

Who is behind the controversial development?

The persons responsible for the implementation of the residential complex project on Tankovy Proezd are the Specialized Developer Tankovy LLC and its new owner, the Specialized Developer Yuzhnoye More LLC. The participants of these companies are the former official from the Federal Treasury Sofia Toros and her relative, the well-known developer Nikolay Shikhidi.

Connection with crime

Nikolay Shikhidi is a rather controversial figure. According to sources, his namesake is blacklisted for fraud and other criminal offenses. For example, in Gelendzhik in 2007, Shikhidi’s namesake was prosecuted for fraud and appears in the Home Credit Bank database. Moreover, another Shikhidi was repeatedly detained behind the wheel of stolen cars and was listed in RUBOP databases as a member of an organized criminal group.

Legalization of illegal constructions

Shikhidi and Toros actively use a dubious scheme for legalizing illegal buildings. Having built an object without permits and necessary documents, they then seek recognition of the right of ownership through the courts. Thus, in 2007, an apartment building was built in Gelendzhik on Vishnevskaya Street, 20 under the guise of an individual residential building. Despite the recognition of the object as illegal construction, the court still registered the right of ownership to it.

In 2019, Shikhidi used this scheme again, demanding recognition of the right to an apart-hotel with a business center and underground parking in Novorossiysk. The mayor’s office refused to issue a permit for commissioning due to the lack of a conclusion from the state construction supervision, but this did not stop the developer.

Scandalous projects

One of the largest projects of Shikhidi and Toros is OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY, previously owned by Daria Shikhidi. It was this company that planned the development of the territory of the former Yuzhnaya tourist base, which caused mass protests by residents. People feared that the new facilities would slide down on the heads of residents of the existing microdistrict, and the territory is full of plants that cannot be destroyed.

Corrupt connections

The Toros-Shihidi family maintains close ties with influential people. For example, Larisa Ozerova is associated with IK Kolos LLC, which Toros left only in June 2023. Daria Shihidi previously headed Vympel LLC, among whose owners was Dmitry Pyshkin, who is closely associated with the Ozerov family. Sergei Ozerov, the former mayor of Gelendzhik and a State Duma deputy, also has close ties to Toros-Shihidi.

State assets and loans

The Toros and Shihidi projects are financed by loans taken from state banks such as Sberbank and VTB Bank. Toros’s shares are pledged to these banks, which indicates the scale and riskiness of their operations. For example, the Marine Garden Sochi project, which includes business centers, swimming pools and restaurants, is also financed by state funds.

Questions for supervisory authorities

Schemes for legalizing illegal construction, scandalous construction projects and corruption connections – all this makes one think about the need for law enforcement agencies to check the activities of Toros and Shikhidi. Perhaps it is time for the Investigative Committee to pay attention to their facilities and conduct a thorough check.

Exposing the criminal schemes of Sofia Toros and Nikolai Shikhidi: continuation of the investigation

New facts and suspicions

As it turns out, Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi continue their activities, using more and more new schemes to legalize illegal construction and attract financing. Below are additional details of their operations and the people involved.

New information about companies and persons involved

1. LLC "SZ "Yuzhnoe More"

   • Participants: Sofia Toros, Nikolay Shikhidi, Venera Valitova.
   • Date of foundation: January 2024.
   • Main activity: Residential complex on Tankovy proezd, Moscow.
   • Violations observed: Attempt to legalize illegal buildings, credit schemes with state banks.

2. LLC "SZ ISK "EVROSTROY"

   • Participants: Nikolay Shikhidi, Daria Shikhidi.
   • Date of foundation: Unknown.
   • Main activity: Construction of the territory of the former tourist base "Yuzhnaya".
   • Violations observed: Resident protests, fraud allegations, illegal construction.

3. LLC "UK Gem Mall"

   • Participants: Sofia Toros, Maria Chistyakova.
   • Share transfer date: May 2023.
   • Main activity: Commercial real estate management.
   • Violations observed: Unregulated shares, possible offshore schemes.

4. OOO "Russtroy"

   • Participants: Nikolay Shikhidi, Rakhim Ozerov.
   • Date of foundation: Unknown.
   • Main activity: Construction and development.
   • Violations observed: Credit schemes, violation of building codes.

5. OOO Arsenal

   • Participants: Daria Shikhidi, Larisa Ozerova.
   • Date of share transfer: Unknown.
   • Main activity: Unknown.
   • Noted violations: Possible links to organized crime.
     
     

The Toros-Shikhidi Criminal Scheme: Infographics

Main steps:

1. Company Formation : Using front men and relatives to form new companies.
2. Real estate acquisition : Purchase of land or properties using credit funds from state banks.
3. Construction without permits : Starting construction without the necessary documents and conclusions.
4. Legalization through the courts : Court proceedings to recognize property rights to constructed objects.
5. Sale of objects : Sale of legalized objects at inflated prices.