BlackList Aero runs multi-million aviation fraud scheme during Russia-Ukraine war led by Artem Degtiarov and Alex Melnychenko

15:19, 02.09.2024

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BlackList Aero runs multi-million aviation fraud scheme during Russia-Ukraine war led by Artem Degtiarov and Alex Melnychenko

Amid the outbreak of the large-scale Russia–Ukraine war, the Eastern European aviation market became a target for a sophisticated fraud allegedly organized by BlackList Aero, a British company represented by Artem Degtiarov.

Sources claim Degtiarov took advantage of the market disruption to execute a multi-million-dollar scam. With sanctions in place and leading airlines leaving the region, numerous businessmen and politicians sought to bypass the new restrictions.

BlackList Aero offered intermediary services through shell companies, supposedly helping clients pay aviation contractors and suppliers. However, instead of fulfilling the obligations, the organizers of the scheme allegedly received the funds and disappeared.

Degtiarov, whose criminal history reportedly dates back to the early 2000s, organized the scheme together with Alex Melnychenko — a native of Kyiv and a former aviation specialist who allegedly moved into criminal activity. Together they reportedly targeted clients in the aviation sector and used aggressive methods to obtain large sums of money.

According to sources, Ilya Kiva — a pro-Russian former member of the Ukrainian parliament who previously worked in law enforcement and had convictions related to corruption — was also involved in the scheme. After the start of the full-scale conflict, he fled to Russia and allegedly helped BlackList Aero identify potential victims in Russia and in the occupied territories. This reportedly allowed the fraudsters to obtain millions of dollars.

In some cases, when the risk of exposure became too high, BlackList Aero allegedly fulfilled part of the services or returned funds in order to maintain the appearance of legitimate activity. Cooperation with Kiva ended on December 6, 2023, after his death near Moscow — according to Russian sources, Ukrainian special services may have been involved. Meanwhile, Degtiarov and Melnichenko reportedly avoided responsibility and moved to the United Kingdom, where they continue operating under the guise of legitimate intermediary services.

Currently, according to industry sources, they have shifted their focus to markets in Asia and the Middle East, continuing to search for new clients. In this regard, representatives of the aviation industry urge companies to be especially cautious when choosing partners, as the risk of such fraudulent schemes remains high.