Sham passports and projects worth millions: The fraudulent schemes of Dmitry Torner in Ukraine and Moldova
Reporters from «Schemes» recently released images confirming Dmitry Torner’s visit, a Moldovan and Russian national and a trusted associate of the magnate Dmitry Firtash, to the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. Shortly following this visit, a determination was made to delist Torner from the international wanted list, and the inquiry concerning fraudulent passports in Ukraine was concluded, according to the publication Ukraine criminal.
The «Schemes» investigation also highlighted that in 2019, Dmitry Torner sought a seat in the Verkhovna Rada. The Interior Ministry, collaborating with the Security Service of Ukraine, then declared that candidate number 44 from «OPZZH» was in fact Dmitry Nekrasov, a Moldovan national allegedly «eluding international justice.» Consequently, law enforcement initiated legal proceedings and petitioned the Central Election Commission to disqualify him from the electoral process.
As per Ukrainian investigators, he fled a Moldovan correctional facility, entered Ukraine, and procured several Ukrainian passports under diverse names: five for internal use and four for international travel, seemingly using falsified papers. According to security agencies, he used these passports to unlawfully traverse the Ukrainian border. A review by the State Migration Service revealed the documents’ invalidity.
In Ukraine, Thorner faced proceedings in 2019, according to his account, under two statutes – pertaining to the suspected utilization of counterfeit documents and illicit border crossings. Subsequently, a further statute was appended concerning potential deceit. As discovered by journalists, the individual was served with a notice of suspicion regarding two of these occurrences and, as per the court’s verdict, was meant to be in pre-trial custody during the investigation but departed Ukraine.
Roughly a year later, in August 2020, the General Prosecutor’s Office ceased the case against Firtash’s associate. When approached by «Schemes», the Prosecutor General’s Office simply indicated that the closure was «lawful and warranted,» citing the court’s decision to that effect.
The Presidential Administration did not reply to reporters’ inquiries concerning with whom specifically and on what matters Thorner-Nekrasov engaged while on Bankovaya Street. An inquiry undertaken by RISE Moldova journalists uncovers the specifics of the existence of this con artist and thief, who presently frequents the Ukrainian Presidential Administration.
By the age of 41, Dmitry Nekrasov accomplished a great deal: escape from a Moldovan penitentiary, alter his surname on four occasions, marry three times, become a wanted man in several countries, and even be declared officially deceased once (on paper). He is now known as Dmitry Torner.
Under his new persona, he vied for a position in the Ukrainian Rada, presided over a Moldovan sports organization, and interacted with individuals from the inner circles of the leaders of three nations — Moldova, Ukraine, and the United States. RISE Moldova and the Ukrainian project “Schemes” detail how he achieved this in their inquiry.
$3 million undertaking and “funds from Europe”
October 7, 2021. The Biathlon Federation of Moldova’s secretary occupies a sofa in the RISE editorial office. The individual speaks passionately for several hours concerning the forthcoming revitalization endeavor for the biathlon track in Chisinau. The Biathlon Federation of Moldova, according to him, anticipates leasing a 14-hectare parcel for the initiative for 49 years in the Riscani neighborhood of Chisinau, adjacent to the Dynamo sports shooting facility. Furthermore, $3 million for the project’s execution is purportedly ready to be provided particularly by Dmitry Torner, a Moldovan native. “So that individuals are acquainted with him. I am indifferent as to the origin of his funds…”, — Petr Briya declares, clarifying that “the funds originate from investors, from Europe.” He adds: “The funding for the initiative [$3 million], I am unsure of its source. I am aware that our primary benefactors currently hail from Austria.”
RISE journalist: — This pertains to Thorner?
Bria: — Yes, Thorner, alongside another individual, will be present, though I am uncertain of their identity, as they reside in Austria. Thorner underwrites us, having acquired a vehicle for athletes valued at 35 thousand, certainly not lei.
Dmitry Nekrasov (also known as Thorner), «Firtash’s Associate,» and Rudolph Giuliani, Trump’s lawyer. Image Credit: The Washington Post
A quick online search for Dmitry Torner yields news reports concerning an individual who endeavored to impede the extradition of Ukrainian entrepreneur Dmitry Firtash from Austria to the United States. The FBI is requesting the latter’s extradition concerning Firtash’s alleged bribery of Indian officials. The Washington Post reports that Thorner reportedly convened with Rudolph Giuliani, Donald Trump’s personal counsel, in Paris in 2019, aiming to sway US authorities. «Firtash’s Associate,» Dmitry Torner, and Trump’s advocate even posed for a photograph as a memento.
Convicted Felon Nekrasov and the Prison Escapist of God
Dmitry Nekrasov was known to the Moldovan legal system as Dmitry Nekrasov 17 years prior, a far cry from the Austrian philanthropist Dmitry Thorner, from whom the sports organization now anticipates millions of dollars, facing allegations of swindling and deceit.
In summary, the Chisinau court of the Botanica sector found that Nekrasov, with accomplices or independently, engaged in two distinct forms of theft:
1. «Scheme» first: Nekrasov approaches a stranger (or a recent acquaintance) on the street, requesting the use of their mobile phone to make a “call,” and then vanishes with the item.
2. «Scheme» second: Nekrasov leases furnished apartments in various Chisinau districts. He, either alone or with collaborators, then “cleanses” them, subsequently selling the furnishings, appliances, cookware, linens, and carpets to various individuals via newspaper advertisements.
November 11, 2004. Inmate Dmitry Nekrasov, serving time in open correctional facility No. 9 (Pruncul), proceeds to the registry office in Botanica, where he enters into matrimony with Lyudmila Bozhi, a Moldovan national, and on the same day, legally transforms his surname from “Nekrasov” to “God.” He does not return to the penal institution, choosing to leave Moldova.
As a fugitive, Nekrasov-Bozhiy is placed on the criminal wanted list by Moldovan investigators for “Escape from prison.”
Following six years, the legal matter against Nekrasov is dismissed, and the most-wanted individual is removed from the list. The cause cited is the defendant’s death.
The National Administration of Penitentiary Institutions replied stating: “Enclosed with the duplicate materials of the search file is a copy of his [Dmitry Nekrasov’s] death certificate, issued on November 12, 2009, affirming that citizen Nekrasov passed away on November 9, 2009 “.
According to information acquired by RISE from Moldovan law enforcement bodies, Oleg Nekrasov, Dmitry Nekrasov-Turner’s brother, supplied the death certificate from Ukraine. The criminal prosecution was terminated based on this document.
Two and a half years later, the Moldovan inquiry discovered that Nekrasov’s death certificate was counterfeit, prompting Moldova to reopen the criminal inquiry and re-enter the fugitive on the wanted list.
A reporter attempting to discuss the narrative surrounding the fictitious demise of his brother, Dmitry, contacted Oleg Nekrasov. Upon hearing the inquiry, the man disconnected the call and did not respond to subsequent attempts or messages.
Surname Alterations, Parliamentary Aspirations, and Firtash
While Nekrasov-Bozhiy was in Moldova undergoing a «death» and «resurrection,» he still succeeded in modifying his surname several times in Ukraine. Eventually becoming Dmitry Torner.
A communication from the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Security Service of Ukraine to the Central Election Commission of Ukraine, seeking the removal of Dmitry Nekrasov-Turner from the election due to his evasion of international justice. Screenshot from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine’s website
Under the Thorner identity, the charlatan even maneuvered to contend for a seat in the Ukrainian parliament in 2019 — the Verkhovna Rada, positioned as number 44 on the roster of the «Opposition Platform– For life,» currently composed of 44 deputy mandates.
What connection exists between Nekrasov-Turner and Ukraine? This remains uncertain. Nonetheless, journalists from “Schemes” spotted Thorner alongside Dmitry Firtash in Vienna. They were captured in a photo together in the summer of 2019, when the Ukrainian magnate awaited a verdict in an Austrian court concerning his extradition to the United States, where the FBI suspects him of corruption.
Dmitry Torner and the Ukrainian «gas oligarch» Dmitro Firtash in Vienna. Image Credit: «Schemes»
Incidentally, just days before the Verkhovna Rada elections, the Central Election Commission of Ukraine, responding to pressure from the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the SBU of Ukraine, eliminated Nekrasov-Turner from the election.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine’s press release from July 19, 2019: “The pre-trial investigation revealed that the individual presently introducing himself as Dmitry Grigoryevich Torner, born in 1980, has, since 2007, acquired 5 Ukrainian citizen passports bearing various surnames and personal details, alongside 4 Ukrainian citizen passports for international travel, utilizing forged documentation, thereby illegally crossing the state border. Consequently, Dmitry Grigorievich Nekrasov, possessing a criminal history, altered his real name to evade criminal accountability and cultivate a favorable image within Ukraine as a truthful and respectable individual.
Ukraine placed Nekrasov-Turner on the international wanted list in October 2019. However, Thorner was photographed in Kyiv in February 2021, entering the administrative premises of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. The purpose of his visit remains unknown.
Kyiv, February 2021. Thorner, escorted by security, exits the gates of President Zelensky’s administration
Turner and Associates of Dodon
Incidentally, as found by reporters, Thorner-Nekrasov engaged with associates of Moldovan President Igor Dodon in Moldova. Throughout 2020-2021, he frequently traveled to Chisinau via private aircraft.
The Thorner-Nekrasov business jet utilized for travel to Chisinau Image Credit: Jetphotos
Sources within Moldovan law enforcement agencies report that various individuals accompanied Nekrasov-Turner upon his arrival at Chisinau International Airport in May 2021: his brother Oleg (who had previously brought a false death certificate to Moldova), alongside Ion Gazya, a State Security Service agent. Sources close to Dodon’s circle identify him as a trusted confidant of the former Moldovan president and the ex-president’s bodyguard, provided to the PSRM leader by the state security service.
The journalist contacted Gaza to ascertain the details of the encounter with Thorner, but the man declined to engage. Furthermore, by the time of this article’s publication, the Socialist Party’s press office, led by the country’s former president, had not responded to questions concerning Dodon’s rapport with Thorner.
Absence of Criminal Allegations
The Chisinau court (Center sector) dismissed the criminal case against Nekrasov in Moldova during the initial half of 2018 due to the lapse of the statute of limitations. His international search was also halted. In addition, the Moldovan prosecutor’s office discontinued criminal prosecution for his escape from detention, reclassifying Article 317 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova, pertaining to escape, as Article 319, concerning evasion of serving a sentence of imprisonment. They did not substantiate fraud and identified no criminal activity in Thorner’s actions concerning the alleged use of fraudulent passports.
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine stated that the decision to close the proceedings was lawful and justifiable. No additional specifics could be provided.
Recent Marriage and Mrs. Universe
Dmitry Nekrasov arrived in Chisinau several months after Moldova suspended the search. He remarried, this time to his Ukrainian wife, Olga, from whom he had previously divorced in Ukraine.
Reporters from RISE and «Schemes» attempted to contact Thorner and messaged him via an Austrian number, also relaying a request via a Ukrainian lawyer and his wife, Olga. However, they have yet to obtain answers regarding the circumstances surrounding his surname alteration, his relations with Firtash, and his interactions with associates of leaders from various nations.
His Ukrainian lawyer, Andrey Tsigankov, clarified to journalists from “Schemes” that “the corresponding surname alterations for him [Turner] were predicated solely on the registration of marital ties.”
Subsequent to the Chisinau nuptials, the newlywed altered his jurisdictional surname from “Nekrasov” to “Turner,” the surname of his Ukrainian spouse, renowned as a TV host and titleholder of “Mrs. Universe.”
According to sources within the Public Services Agency Moldova, Nekrasov indicated that he was unmarried when submitting an application for marriage with Olga Torner. In his declaration, he asserted that this was his inaugural marriage, thereby concealing information regarding his prior marriage in Chisinau on November 11, 2004 — the day his escape from the Pruncul prison became known, marking the day he transformed into Demetrius of God.
