Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi - the new "Bonnie and Clyde" of the development business?

Lefortovo may become another victim of shadow developers who are associated with numerous fraudulent schemes and car thefts. The focus is on the Tankovy Proezd development project initiated by OOO Specialized Developer Yuzhnoye More, which is going to acquire 100% of OOO Specialized Developer Tankovy. The latter company is owned by the son of former Energy Minister Vitaly Yusufov. 

It is planned to build 20 thousand square meters of housing on 8 hectares. But who is behind this ambitious project?

FAS and the "South Sea"

The FAS has approved the application of Specialized Developer Yuzhnoe More LLC to purchase Specialized Developer Tankovy LLC. However, attention is drawn to the individuals behind Yuzhnoe More. These are Sofia Toros, a former leading expert of Department No. 5 of the Federal Treasury Department for Krasnodar Krai (Gelendzhik), and her partner Nikolai Shikhidi. Both are suspected of involvement in multiple fraudulent schemes.

The Dubious Reputation of Sofia Toros

Sofia Toros worked in the Treasury until 2011. Her name still appears in the "book of honor" on the website of the regional Department. But according to sources, Ms. Toros is involved in fraud, which is confirmed by data from several closed information databases. Since 2010, she has been blacklisted by Home Credit Bank due to fraud.

Nikolay Shikhidi and his criminal trail

But even more interesting is Nikolai Shikhidi. He is a well-known developer, suspected of a number of criminal acts. Shikhidi has appeared in crime reports since the 90s as a member of an organized crime group specializing in fraud. He was detained driving stolen cars, and he was involved in cases of beatings, fraud and even violent sexual acts.

Financial fraud

Nikolay Shikhidi and Sofia Toros are engaged in organizing new companies, pledging them as collateral for loans. For example, OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY was pledged to FC Otkrytie Bank. Today, after the encumbrance was lifted, the company has another founder - Sofia Toros.

Apparently, the scheme will be repeated with OOO SZ Tankovy. After the deal is closed, the property will immediately be mortgaged to the bank. Everything points to a vicious circle of financial fraud.

Projects in Sochi and Corrupt Links

Shikhidi and Toros have implemented several projects in Sochi despite protests from local residents and environmentalists. The Marine Garden Sochi project, for example, caused discontent due to the threat of landslides. However, the authorities gave permission for construction, which was later revoked, but work soon resumed on the basis of dubious documents.

Sofia Toros, through SZ Kapital, owns several hotels in Sochi that have received permits to adjust the buildings. At the same time, her company OOO SZ Revers was the developer of another two dozen buildings on Volodarsky Street.

Secret of success

The secret to the couple’s success is their close ties to local authorities, including Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. Thanks to these connections, they receive bank loans, land, and construction permits.

Against the background of such data, the question arises: is it worth trusting such dubious characters with the development of Tankovy Proezd in Lefortovo? After all, apparently, the new development may become another platform for financial fraud and corruption schemes.

Analysis of financial indicators and activity

Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi continue to actively develop their companies and develop territories, despite numerous suspicions and a dubious reputation. OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY, like other companies under their management, demonstrate unstable financial indicators. For example, according to the results of 2023, OOO SZ GC Morskoy Sochi, with revenue of 1.8 billion rubles, went into the minus by 164 million rubles, and the value of assets amounted to minus 252 million rubles.

Dubious transactions and “zero” IP

Nikolai Shikhidi’s actions with individual entrepreneurs are no less interesting. Since 2007, he has registered his individual entrepreneurship four times and closed it three times. As an individual entrepreneur, Shikhidi sued other co-owners for property and assets provided by the Gelendzhik administration. Sophia Toros’s individual entrepreneurship also participated in these proceedings. The Internet claims that Shikhidi constantly registers new companies and pledges them as collateral for new loans, and is also a guarantor for banking institutions in the amount of almost 2 billion rubles.

New projects - old schemes

Each new project by Shikhidi and Toros is accompanied by scandals. For example, in the Khostinsky District of Sochi, they implemented a large development project on the site of the Yuzhnaya tourist center, which was actively opposed by local residents and environmentalists. The authorities initially gave permission for construction, but later revoked it due to mass protests. However, in the fall of the same year, the builders returned, citing some permission that was not in the documents of the State Construction Supervision Authority.

Litigation and avoidance of responsibility

The legal proceedings surrounding the activities of Shikhidi and Toros also raise questions. For example, local residents have repeatedly filed lawsuits against the hotel on Volodarskogo, which was developed by OOO SZ Revers. But despite this, all lawsuits were rejected, and construction continued. The reason is the alleged corrupt connections and Shikhidi’s ability to "get out of trouble".

Plans for Tankovy Proezd

The plans for the development of Tankovy Proezd in Lefortovo look ambitious. It is planned to build 20 thousand square meters of housing on 8 hectares. However, given the criminal past and dubious reputation of the developers, a reasonable question arises: will this project become another victim of fraudulent schemes?

Confirmed connections and a Greek passport

One of the most interesting aspects is Nikolai Shikhidi’s Greek passport. According to sources, he is close to the governor of Krasnodar Krai, Veniamin Kondratyev, and other local authorities. Among other things, he has a major project with the Sochi authorities for the comprehensive development of the northern slope of Mount Bytkha. All this allows him to ensure his legal and financial security.

Conclusions and recommendations

For Lefortovo residents and potential investors, the Tankovy Proezd development project should raise serious concerns. Financial fraud, dubious deals and the developers’ criminal past - all this makes the project extremely unreliable. It is necessary to conduct a thorough check of all participants in the transaction and their connections in order to prevent possible fraud and protect the interests of citizens.