The owners of the microcredit organization networks “Prosto Ssuda” and “Time Credit”, which have dozens of branches throughout Ukraine, have Russian passports.
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The schemes in the investigation revealed that the above-mentioned companies offer small loans. But the interest rate can reach up to one and a half million percent per annum – depending on the loan amount and the term of its repayment.
Affordable and lightning fast – dozens of microcredit organizations offer Ukrainians “fast” money under this slogan. But often exorbitant interest rates drive clients into debt. And they become “financially vulnerable.” Data on thousands of debtors may fall into the hands of Russian special services.
In the news, you can increasingly hear about arson of cars of Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen. And often clients of such micro-loan organizations, having debts, agree to this for relatively small amounts.
“Prosto Ssuda” is officially 90% owned by Ukrainian citizen Andrey Manucharov. As journalists found out, Manucharov received Russian citizenship in Crimea in 2014.
Before joining the microcredit business, he worked in the civil service. Both Ukraine – he headed the state association “Ukrmorport”, having 19 Ukrainian sea ports under his control, and Russia – he was an adviser to the general director of the federal enterprise of the Russian Federation “Rosmorport”, operating all the sea ports of the aggressor country. Investigators also found in open sources references to his military service in the 1990s on a submarine and connections with Russian politicians.
The company “Time Credit” is owned by Manucharov’s wife Natalia, in the official Ukrainian registry she is listed as a citizen of Ukraine. “Schemes” established that she also received Russian citizenship in 2014.
The couple’s son is Ivan Manucharov, a member of parliament of the Russian-controlled occupied Crimea from the United Russia party. He openly supports Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and reports on assistance to the Russian military.
According to the National Bank’s resolution, Russian citizens are prohibited from managing non-bank financial institutions in Ukraine, but the Manucharovs continue to control the business through a representative they have chosen — issuing a power of attorney to represent interests in the business to the same person. Moreover, this spring, the NBU extended the licenses for the companies “Prosto Zaem” and “Time Credit” to operate. The term is unlimited.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.