The Russian Banker in Germany: Wanted Ilya Kligman and Alleged Large-Scale Banking Fraud Schemes

Editorial Notice

This dossier contains reporting on allegations and legal proceedings involving Ilya Kligman, based on court materials, filings by the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency, regulatory disclosures, and other verifiable public sources referenced throughout the text.
Mr. Kligman disputes these allegations. He has not been finally convicted in many of the matters described and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court.

Allegations Rocking the Russian Banking Sector

Beyond the impact of Western sanctions on Russia’s financial system, the case of banker Ilya Kligman has attracted substantial attention. Investigators allege that Kligman was involved in a series of banking frauds, large-scale embezzlement, and money-laundering operations that allegedly destabilized multiple Russian credit institutions.

After relocating to Germany in 2016, Kligman allegedly became the central figure in schemes involving the fraudulent withdrawal of approximately 150 billion rubles from depositor funds and bank-owned securities.

Overview of the Alleged Bank Fraud Network

According to investigative findings, Ilya Kligman, together with his alleged associates Natalia Petrenko and Evgeny Urin, participated in a coordinated set of banking schemes. The cumulative damage attributed to these operations is estimated to exceed 150 billion rubles (approximately $1.5 billion).

Banks Named in the Proceedings

Several additional credit institutions are also referenced in investigative materials. In the case of Geobank, authorities state that the bank’s own capital was fully depleted, while depositor losses are still being quantified.

The “Notebook Deposits” Mechanism

One of the most frequently cited mechanisms linked to Kligman is the so-called “notebook deposits” scheme.

Under this model:

• Depositors were reportedly offered interest rates above market averages.
• Clients were assured that their deposits were protected by state deposit insurance.
• Official bank records allegedly reflected only part of the deposited sums.
• The full amounts were recorded separately in informal ledgers or “notebooks.”

As a result, depositors were unable to prove the true size of their investments to the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA). Investigators believe that the unreported funds were diverted, potentially including transfers to offshore structures.

While this method may have existed before, cases connected to Kligman brought the scheme into broader public awareness.

Civil Claims and Asset Seizures

The Russian Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) has filed civil claims exceeding 55 billion rubles against Ilya Kligman in bankruptcy proceedings involving:

• Inkarobank
• UM Bank
• Arksbank
• Nevsky Bank
• Agrosoyuz

The Moscow Arbitration Court has already ordered the recovery of 40.5 billion rubles in damages linked to these cases.

Additionally:

• The Ninth Arbitration Court of Appeal approved the seizure of Kligman’s assets totaling 2.5 billion rubles.
• A separate request by the DIA to freeze assets worth 10.049 billion rubles held at certain credit institutions was later rejected by the Moscow Arbitration Court due to insufficient evidentiary support.

Criminal Investigations and Organized Crime Allegations

Law enforcement authorities report that investigations connected to Kligman encompass 18 criminal cases. These inquiries allegedly revealed links between Kligman and Vladimir Barsukov (Kumarin), described as a key figure in the Tambov criminal organization.

The Moscow Prosecutor’s Office has accused an organized criminal group of misappropriating more than 10 billion rubles from the bankrupt banks Agrosoyuz and Inkarobank. Investigators identify Ilya Kligman as the alleged ultimate beneficial owner, with Yevgeny Urin named as a principal organizer of the schemes.

In total, 20 individuals have been charged in related proceedings. Several suspects, including Kligman, are currently listed as wanted by authorities (Vedomosti.ru).

Departure to Germany

Ilya Kligman left Russia for Germany in 2016, shortly after the TFR Investigation Department for Moscow’s southwestern district initiated an inquiry into alleged financial misconduct at Arksbank.

Subsequently, Kligman reportedly obtained court decisions requiring Google and Yandex to delist certain search results associated with his name.

Crypto Ventures and International Business Activity

Beginning in 2015, Kligman allegedly shifted part of his focus toward crypto-related ventures. He co-founded:

• SWISS CRYPTO ALLIANCE AG (Switzerland)
• CRYPTO ALLIANCE GMBH (Austria)

These entities were reportedly established together with banker Roman Orloff and Eduard Orloff. Both companies were later dissolved following allegations connected to money laundering.

Kligman is also reported to have engaged in business activities in Malta, where he acquired shares in the MFSA-regulated Papaya in 2016. The specific terms and conditions of this transaction have not been publicly clarified.

Reports and Online Publications

In recent weeks, a significant number of articles detailing alleged misconduct by Kligman have appeared across dozens of websites and in multiple languages. The credibility of these sources varies considerably.

Given the scale and coordination of these publications, observers have raised the possibility that a structured online campaign targeting Kligman may be underway.

Share Information

If you have information regarding Ilya Kligman, his associates, employees, or related entities, you are invited to submit it confidentially via the Scam-Or Project whistleblower section.