17.01.2025 Investigations Money laundering

Hetmantsev, tax authorities and KRAIL created an empire to protect illegal business and put pressure on Ukraine

Кравченко, Руслан Андреевич — Википедия

The appointment of Ruslan Kravchenko to the post of Head of the State Tax Service raised many questions and controversies. The fact is that the country’s tax system has long been a participant in political and business games not only by representatives of large tax evading entities, but also by officials of the highest rank, such as Danylo Hetmantsev. For a long time, the latter, together with the head of the National Bank Andriy Pyshnyi, protected and helped to circumvent the law, so now we wonder: will the new head of the tax service continue to manipulate the regulations?

PariMatch: how does the casino manage to circumvent NSDC restrictions?

Как скачать приложение Париматч на телефон Андроид или IOS | Другие | XSPORT.ua

In early 2023, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the Russian online casino PariMatch, revoking its license. However, despite this, the company’s owners, who are likely to continue to be linked to Russia and Belarus, found a workaround. Through a number of controlled companies, such as SITIKOD LLC and GORILLABET LLC, they continued their activities in Ukraine and even received new gambling licenses.

Despite the fact that these companies were officially registered, the speed of issuing licenses for their activities in KRAIL looked suspicious. Instead of the standard waiting time of 6 to 9 months, the licenses were issued in a matter of days.

Who is behind PariMatch?

The actual owner of the company, Eduard Shvindlerman, is still one of the key players in the structure of the PariMatch group, although he uses so-called “pseudo-Ukrainian” owners to disguise his influence. For example, Kateryna Belorusskaya, who was formally the owner of the company, sold her stake to another person in 2024, Serhiy Portnov, the former marketing director of PariMatch, although in fact, Schwindlerman still remains the owner.

Criminal schemes, PariMatch and international connections

A very important part of this story is the international context of PariMatch’s activities. Offshore companies associated with the casino business are actively used to withdraw funds from Ukraine. The list of such companies includes Ericius Investments Limited, which owns domains for Russia and Belarus, as well as Parimatch United Investments Limited, which is managed by Russian citizens.

In particular, Belorusskaya and Portnov, through the offshore company WELPAY MEDIA HOLDING LIMITED, control Pokermatch.ua LLC, which operates without the necessary license in Ukraine.

Shevtsova, Kolomoisky and Ibox: how does PariMatch manipulate banking institutions?

Portnov, together with his partner Roman Syrotyan, set up a complex system of illegal withdrawal of funds from Ukraine through Ibox Bank. The criminal scheme involves the use of financial institutions and online casinos to legalize significant amounts of money obtained through violation of the law.

Key figures in the financial sector are also involved in this process, including Alyona Shevtsova, co-owner of Ibox Bank and CEO of LeoGaming, as well as her partner Yevhen Berezovsky. In addition, Shevtsova is the de facto owner of several other companies, including ITI Solutions LLC, which has a license from the National Bank of Ukraine issued under the leadership of Yakiv Smoliy, the former head of the NBU. It is through these companies that some of the illegal financial transactions are carried out, allowing to legalize the funds obtained through the PariMatch online casino.

Shevtsova, together with her partner Ihor Kolomoisky, was not only one of the main actors in the creation of the bank, but also actively facilitated illegal financial transactions. In particular, prior to the closure of Ayboks Bank in 2023, when the NBU revoked the financial institution’s license, numerous financial frauds were recorded, leading to large-scale withdrawals of funds from the country. Only a few days before the loss of its license, the bank made two huge deposits in the names of individuals, including UAH 175 million taken by Shevtsova, and another UAH 125 million received by Kolomoisky.

However, this is not the only scandal involving Shevtsova. She is also actively manipulating the media space, harassing witnesses in the Ayboks Bank case and using her media and financial influence to manipulate investigations. One such case was the harassment of former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi. Shevtsova not only managed to get him fired, but also actively “works” through the media, spreading compromising materials and jeopardizing his reputation.

It is also worth noting that the so-called “Joker” is actively harassing Verbytskyi, a person who used to work for Shevtsova and is now trying to squeeze money out of him through information pressure under the guise of “connections in high places.” At the same time, the Joker is known for frequently changing sides, and then, when the situation “smells like money,” he returns to his old schemes. But here’s an interesting detail: his numerous compromising posts and screenshots about the bookmaker that appeared in the public domain disappeared from the pages after he received the money. Nevertheless, we have kept these materials and prepared them for further publications on the activities of both PariMatch and the Joker himself. Remember: such manipulators can only work on information emissions.

Melnyk, a former banker, is currently under similar media pressure. Various telegram channels, including those owned by Shevtsova, continue to sling mud at the man. Apparently, the Shevtsovs simply could not share the “pie” of the bank’s financial resources, and this caused the conflict.

Alyona Shevtsova also controls several other companies, including TECH-SOFT ATLAS LLC and DIGITAL FINANCE LLC, which are also involved in the criminal scheme. The situation is complicated by the fact that one of these companies, ITI SOLUTIONS, is controlled by foreign investors, in particular, Yuldashev Dzhokhongir Ruziboyevich from Uzbekistan.

Will Kravchenko withstand the pressure of established tax schemes?

Of course, with the appointment of the new head of the tax service, Kravchenko, society expects to stop corruption schemes and fight against shadow revenues generated by illegal gambling. However, will the new head be able to change the situation? Kravchenko has every opportunity to introduce tough measures to stop illegal schemes, but if there is no political will to act decisively, we may see another impunity for corrupt officials.

Based on our materials, the TU BES in Lviv region initiated criminal proceedings № 72024142500000046. In addition, the Halytskyi District Court of Lviv ordered the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office and the Main Department of the National Police in Lviv Oblast to enter information into the URPTI. We’ll see if law enforcement will fulfill their obligations.

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