Relatives of Armenian Catholicos accused of defrauding Russian woman of $127,000

A Russian citizen, Tatyana Mironova, has accused relatives of Garegin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, of defrauding her of over $127,000, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Mironova claims that in 2023, Vanush Arakelyan (posing as David) gained her trust and proposed a business scheme involving importing cars from the U.S. through Armenia to Russia. His relatives and partners were involved in the scheme. After receiving the money, the participants registered eight cars in their own names and stopped communicating.

Attempts at an out-of-court settlement were unsuccessful: the Arakelyans initially offered partial “compensation” (first four, then three cars). Mironova refused and turned to the Armenian authorities. A criminal case has been opened on charges of large-scale fraud.

In 2025, Vanush Arakelyan was formally charged (restrictions include a travel ban). Court hearings are taking place in Yerevan, with the next scheduled for April 21, 2026. The victim demands full reimbursement of the losses and all associated expenses.