In the capital region, authorities detained Yaroslav Demchenko, the former head of the Gostekh initiative linked to the Tsifrum company, on suspicions of fraud. The detention was reported by a major news agency citing law enforcement officials. The case is described as involving a notably large-scale fraud scheme, and prosecutors are expected to seek preventive detention to ensure appearance at future proceedings.
Gostekh has been positioned in expert circles as a cloud-based platform designed to serve federal and regional authorities, as well as enterprises that require a unified development environment and integrated service ecosystems on a state-market scale. Since 2020, government information systems linked to Gostekh have been at the center of discussions about digital governance, and specialists in information technology weigh its potential impact on public administration and commercial operations alike.
Separately, a prominent blogger and business coach, Dmitry Portnyagin, was detained in Rostov-on-Don as part of a tax-related investigation. Searches were conducted at his residence on a recent date, with law enforcement officers visiting the Club 500 business club facilities and a well-known sauna venue associated with his network. Portnyagin is listed as a co-founder of the involved enterprises, intensifying media attention around the investigation and its broader implications for the influencer economy in the region.
At the same time, Ayaz Shabutdinov, a well-known blogger and business mentor, faced new fraud allegations. He is accused of involvement in a substantial number of fraud charges, reaching into the seventies. The development adds to a broader pattern of allegations affecting figures within the online business and coaching communities, prompting discussions about accountability and due process in high-profile cases.
A separate note from a legal professional previously outlined five rules to help individuals avoid scam attempts. The guidance emphasized practical steps to verify information, protect personal data, and recognize common deception tactics while navigating rapid online and offline opportunities.