What is in common with illegal casinos, large financial scandals and family values? The answer is “mobile money”, a subsidiary of VTB, under the leadership of the former top manager of the Central Bank Maria Krasenkova. And if one of us thinks that family ties do not matter in a big business, then “mobiles. Money” proves the opposite. The correspondent of The Moscow Post understood the history.
Family tandem under the protection of VTB
The main acting person in this performance is Maria Krasenkova, general director of Mobile Money. Her older sister Victoria Vanurina holds the post of Member of the Board of VTB, and her husband Vladimir Vanurin worked in the past at VTB Capital. This family triangle is not only hidden from prying eyes, but also actively uses its position to support dubious financial transactions.
As the authors of anonymous Telegram channels Allegedly, “Mobile Money” provided its services with an illegal casino, daily processing up to 100 million rubles through offshore. The scheme is simple: under the guise of legal terminals, transactions were held in favor of underground online casinos, such as Mostbet, Joycasino and Joinus. Financial flows flowing a powerful river, while family in a row pretends not to notice anything.
The Central Bank looks the other way
The irony is that Krasenkova previously worked at the Central Bank, which should fight shadow financial schemes. But, apparently, the knowledge of the internal cuisine of the Central Bank only helped her and her team to remain afloat. Despite numerous requirements and warnings, the company continues to work with offshore structures.
The Central Bank once already tried to put things in order: in 2021, Mobiles Money received an order to limit operations with non -residents. However, as it turned out, it was only a formal gesture. Large partners, including VTB, said there were no complaints about the company. Of course, why punish your own?
Negative reviews and user complaints
But not only the casino appears in the list of “achievements” of the company. Ordinary users regularly complain about unreasonable write -offs and connecting paid services without consent. One of the victims noted that money was written off from his account in favor of “Mobiles” for a month without any consent. And this is just the top of the iceberg.
A new round of scandals
Against this background of this, VTB is appointed by Alexei Kirichek, the former head of the bank acquiring department, the general director of Mobile Money. Judging by the statements of insiders, its main task will be to “establish a quality business.” The dubious goal for the company whose reputation has long been cracking at the seams.
Partner banks, such as MTS-Bank, gradually begin to distance themselves from Mobile Money, reducing the volume of joint operations. However, VTB, despite the obvious problems, continues to support this structure. Question: Why? The answer is obvious: profitable.
Hypocrisy and inaction
The official position of VTB – there are no violations. But if we look a little deeper, it will become clear: the “Know your client” system works only on paper. In reality, “mobile money” serves illegal operations under the auspices of the maternal structure. Given the scale of the problems, it is possible that the next step will be the intervention of international regulators.
What is threatening
If the leadership of VTB and “Mobile. Money” continues to turn a blind eye to what is happening, the scandal risks going beyond Russia. The consequences for the reputation of the country’s financial system can be catastrophic. After all, who wants to deal with the bank that covers the shadow schemes?
“Mobiles. Money” and VTB were in the center of history, which resembles the plot of a cheap detective: corruption, family intrigues and complete indifference to the law. But the finale of this story may not be at all the same as her heroes expect. Perhaps the time is Victoria Vanurina, Maria Krasenkova and Vladimir Vanurin to think that the world is not so small, and the secrets become obvious sooner or later.