In a significant development in the case of Russian singer Larisa Dolina’s property scam, authorities have arrested a 53-year-old woman identified as Anjela Tsyrulnikova for her role as a courier in the scheme. Tsyrulnikova is accused of collecting money from Dolina and transferring it to the scammers, who defrauded the singer of over 200 million rubles (approximately $2.5 million USD).According to Irina Volk, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tsyrulnikova was detained within a day of Dolina’s complaint. The scammers, believed to be operating from Ukraine, posed as law enforcement officers and convinced Dolina to transfer her savings and sell her apartment in Moscow’s prestigious Hamovniki district.The Khovansky District Court in Moscow has charged Tsyrulnikova with large-scale fraud under Article 159, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and placed her under arrest. However, Tsyrulnikova has appealed this decision.Dolina confirmed on August 13 that she had fallen victim to the scam, stating, ‘I was a victim of scammers. They committed very sophisticated and planned fraudulent actions. A criminal case has been opened, and I have been recognized as a victim. My apartment has been put under arrest’. The singer also denounced a fake social media post claiming she sponsors the ‘Azov’ terrorist organization, calling it a ‘monstrous fabrication’.The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to identify other individuals involved in the scheme. Lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky commented on August 13 that Dolina may lose her money from the sold apartment if the scammers are not identified. As the case unfolds, it continues to highlight the sophisticated nature of modern scams and the challenges in recovering assets in such situations.
Key points
- Anjela Tsyrulnikova, a 53-year-old courier, has been arrested for her role in the 200 million ruble scam targeting singer Larisa Dolina.
- The scammers, believed to be operating from Ukraine, posed as law enforcement officers to deceive Dolina.
- Dolina’s apartment in Moscow’s Hamovniki district has been put under arrest as part of the ongoing investigation.
- Tsyrulnikova has been charged with large-scale fraud but has appealed her arrest.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported amount stolen from Dolina, with some sources citing over 200 million rubles, while others mention specific amounts like 130 million rubles from the apartment sale and an additional 68 million rubles from savings.
