News RCN knew images that would give an account of how Russian citizens are present in Colombia in order to enter money from the European country through a new modality known as ‘smurf’.
According to information, they rent accounts from humble and middle-class people, so that they receive the money there and then be able to withdraw it at ATMs in the capital.
Images supplied by the authorities would show ‘Shurik’, a name used to avoid hindering the investigations.
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The subject born in Kazakhstan is one of the Russian citizens who, according to authorities and intelligence agencies of United States and Colombia, is in charge of coordinating money transfers from Russia to Colombian territory.
In the evidence dossier, there are several telephone interceptions in which the man, who entered the country with a tourist visa, indicates to Colombians the benefits they obtain by renting their bank accounts.
“Hello Gonzalo, look, for example, we are now working with his account, but when we finish working with him, they are going to lend us to other people who are going to lend their profile, and each person when they are inside, will get a commission. ”.
The authorities are certain that behind this sophisticated method of bringing money into Colombia avoiding tracking, there is a structure that seeks to finance groups that seek to destabilize public order and interfere in the next election day.
“Look, I am speaking in Spanish, you need to go to a correspondent and consign the money from there, without documents, without anything and without problems, why are you always doing everything your way and always screwing up? Consign the money today, I don’t care in what way, go to a correspondent and consign this money somewhere”.
The structure led by ‘Shurik’ has two points of operation, one in Medellin and another in Bogota. In addition, they have several connections with the Russian embassy.
In photographs known by RCN News, the Russian citizen can be seen walking through some streets in northern Bogotá with ‘Sabir’, a Russian diplomat who works within the technical staff area of the Diplomatic Mission and is accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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The evidence would prove that on several occasions they have met and that they even had encounters with a person who would belong to the Front Line.
Authorities from the United States managed to tap the phone of the ‘Shurik’, who sent several videos in which he is seen actively participating in acts of violence with pyrotechnics and also in recent violent acts during the protests of the so-called National strike.
According to records, the videos were sent to Moscow.
The man of Russian nationality has certificates issued by the Russian Embassy that prove his supposed past without a criminal record and allow him to be in Colombia freely.
In another intercepted audio, the Russian was upset with a Colombian for not following orders. According to the call, the citizen had not transferred the money that he received from Sberbank, one of the leading banks in Russia.
“Look, tell me, please, how much did you consign or how much are you going to consign? Wherever this gentleman is, there is another correspondent nearby, so go record the third part there, in another correspondent, and please don’t get me in trouble. See that the boys are saying that they urgently need the money and today. Do not complicate the situation, I am going to Medellín, because you are not following orders, you are not carrying out anything”.
However, in addition to coordinating ‘the Smurf’, ‘Shurik’ also orders the creation of fake profiles on social networks for specific purposes.
“Hello Johana, look, since you are creating profiles, create a profile of Johana England and when you are creating the profile, you do not put Colombia and you put England and then from England you are going to make this profile”.
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The impact of this organization would go beyond the borders with Colombia, since there are also interceptions where ‘Shurik’ asks another Russian in Colombia if there are conditions in Uruguayyy possibilities to “find powerful friends”.
“Dimi, what’s in Uruguay? tell me where we stopped dead and how to continue this question there that you need conditions or what?”
According to information, the capital is sent from Russia in sums of 5, 11 and 15 million pesos and ‘Shurik’ would be in charge of the accumulation and storage of this money, and then send reports to his bosses in Moscow.
The DEA, the CIA, Colombian Migrationthe prosecutionthe Financial Information and Analysis Unit and the National Policethey track this Russian cell and the money.
