Russian university vice-rector and son wanted in major fraud case

Natalia Kuzmina, Vice-Rector of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) for Financial and Economic Affairs, and her son, Enver Kuzmin, have been placed on a wanted list in connection with a major fraud case, Russian media reported on August 27.

According to RBC, citing sources familiar with the investigation, the two are accused of organising a scheme involving the alleged illegal transfer of ownership of non-residential premises at the upscale Knightsbridge Private Park residential complex in Moscow’s Khamovniki district.

Investigators allege that the suspects used affiliated companies to take control of property that was not intended for individual private ownership. The case reportedly concerns 80 non-residential premises used for maintaining the residential complex and housing engineering infrastructure.

Such facilities are intended to serve the entire residential development. However, according to investigators, the premises were registered as private property and subsequently transferred to other owners.

The criminal case was reportedly launched following a complaint by the Dom na Efremova homeowners’ association. The association replaced Restavratsiya-N+, a company that RBC sources reportedly linked to the suspects.

Following an inventory of the complex, the homeowners’ association allegedly discovered that some of the facilities had been registered as privately owned.

Kuzmina and her son have reportedly been charged in absentia and placed on the wanted list. RBC said they are currently abroad and deny the allegations.

The investigation is being conducted by the Main Investigative Directorate of Russia’s Interior Ministry in Moscow.