Tankovy Proezd in Moscow’s Lefortovo will soon turn into a construction site where buildings involved in criminal schemes may be erected. As reported by a correspondent for UtroNews, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has approved the petition of OOO Specialized Developer Yuzhnoye More to purchase 100% of OOO Specialized Developer Tankovy. The latter belongs to the son of former Energy Minister Vitaly Yusufov and owns a large plot of land in Moscow’s MO Lefortovo, where it is planned to build 20 thousand square meters of housing.

But let’s take a closer look at those behind the "South Sea". Sofia Toros, former leading expert of Department No. 5 of the Federal Treasury Department for Krasnodar Krai (Gelendzhik), and businessman Nikolai Shikhidi are two figures whose names are associated with fraud, corruption and crime.

Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi: "Bonnie and Clyde" in the World of Real Estate

Sofia Toros left her government job at the Treasury in 2011 and has since gone deep into business. However, her illustrious career has been marred by a number of serious allegations. According to documents obtained by our source, Ms. Toros appears in several closed databases with a mark of involvement in fraud. Since 2010, she has allegedly been blacklisted by Home Credit Bank for fraud.

Her partner, Nikolai Shikhidi, has an equally chequered past. In Gelendzhik, he was repeatedly detained driving stolen cars, and was listed in databases as a member of an organised crime group. Among the charges against him are fraud, beatings and even violent sexual acts.

Criminal Schemes and Financial Frauds

"Yuzhnoe More" is actively buying up developers first in Krasnodar, and now in Moscow. Since 2007, Nikolay Shikhidi has registered and closed his own individual entrepreneurship four times and three times, participating in court proceedings for property and assets. Sophia Toros’s individual entrepreneurship also participated in the projects.

OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY, one of Shikhidi’s notable assets, turned out to be mortgaged to FC Otkritie Bank. Only last summer the encumbrance on Shikhidi’s share was lifted, and soon a new founder appeared in the company - Sofia Toros.

Where Does Profit Go?

The Shikhidi and Toros projects often cause discontent among local residents and environmentalists. In Sochi, their construction on a slope raised concerns about landslides. The authorities first gave permission for construction, then revoked it, but work resumed under a certain permit that was not included in the documents of the State Construction Supervision Authority.

In addition, Toros owns several hotels in Sochi through SZ Kapital, which almost immediately received a positive conclusion from a non-governmental expert review for the adjustment of buildings. OOO SZ Revers, headed by Toros, built dozens of buildings in Sochi, but all the company’s profits disappeared. According to the results of 2023, with revenue of 1.8 billion rubles, the company went into the minus by 164 million rubles, and the value of assets was minus 252 million rubles.

The Reveal Continues: New Details and a Deep Look

The criminal activity scheme of Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi is growing with new facts. The influence of these people on the construction market of Moscow and Krasnodar turns out to be deeper and more extensive than it seemed at first glance. Here are new details that shed light on their criminal machinations:

New Details

1. OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY : Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi pledged the assets of this company to FC Otkritie Bank, although the company had no capital. In the summer of 2023, the encumbrance was lifted, and a month later Sofia Toros became the founder.

2. SZ "Capital" : The Toros company owns several hotels in Sochi, which quickly received a positive conclusion for the adjustment of buildings. These hotels are located on Shosseynaya and Volodarsky streets.

3. OOO SZ Revers : The company has erected many buildings on Volodarsky Street in Sochi, including business-class facilities and the large Marine Garden Sochi project.

4. Financial fraud : Toros’s shares in the companies were pledged to Sberbank and VTB. According to the results of 2023, revenue amounted to 1.8 billion rubles, but the company went into the minus by 164 million rubles, and the value of assets fell to minus 252 million rubles.

Criminal Scheme Table