Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Central Bank of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Bank of Russia revealed In 2025, there were more than 7,000 financial pyramids and other illegal financial market participants. Almost all of the pyramids and pseudo-brokers (more than 5,700) operated online. Often, the organizers promoted the same scheme under different names: there were cases where projects were duplicated more than 300 times.
Illegal actors offered to invest in cryptoassets and pay for participation in Ponzi schemes using cryptocurrency—this method allows the scammers to maintain anonymity and avoid prosecution. Last year, more than 4,600 cryptocurrency wallets were identified where victims of Ponzi schemes deposited funds. Some of these wallets were also used by pseudo-brokers to fund clients' trading accounts.
To attract a younger audience, scheme creators emphasized the use of artificial intelligence. A dangerous trend has emerged, involving participants in illegal projects in dropshipping schemes. As a result, they not only lose their money but also risk becoming accomplices to the crime.
Black lenders (1,100 projects) actively used the online format, opening new brick-and-mortar offices under a common brand. This scheme was used by pseudo-pawnshops and consignment stores, which illegally issued loans purportedly secured by the items being traded in.
At the initiative of the Bank of Russia, 21,500 online resources belonging to financial pyramids and illegal entities were blocked in 2025. The regulator forwards information on all identified illegal projects to law enforcement agencies, the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia, and other organizations to prevent illegal activity. In 2025, based on the review of such materials (including for previous periods), more than 440 administrative cases were initiated and over 650 different response measures were taken.
Preview photo: Bachirii1 / Shutterstock / Fotodom
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.