March 28. 2025. 3:59

The Daily

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Raiders of the Lost Dirhams: Maurice Anisimov and His Financial Saga

The story of Maurice Anisimov could easily serve as the plot of an exciting thriller—if not for one key detail: this is a real-life saga that not only affected his personal career but also the reputation of an entire sector of international finance. Instead of following the path of legal profit and respect, Anisimov found himself at the center of one of the most high-profile financial investigations in recent times. And while at first glance it all seemed like a routine business venture, this case quickly became a vivid example of how swiftly financial schemes can lead to massive losses and spark large-scale investigations.

Born in 1990 in Vienna, Maurice Anisimov seemed destined to become the epitome of a successful international entrepreneur. He founded the consulting company Nymar Consulting & Trading SA, with which he began to establish business connections around the world. His career was progressing smoothly until, in 2020, the management of the company was handed over to his father, Roman Anisimov. Known for his multiple citizenships and a global approach to business, Anisimov navigated the international financial systems with confidence.

However, in 2022, the international situation began to shift dramatically. Sanctions, political instability, and changing business conditions caused significant upheavals in the financial sector. In this uncertain and risky environment, Anisimov, like many other entrepreneurs, saw new opportunities, which, as it turned out, were not always used for their intended purpose. During this time, he moved to the United Arab Emirates, where he took on the role of managing a large trading company. This is where his activities began to attract attention—not always for the right reasons.

Financial troubles began to surface in mid-2024, when payment delays started occurring and partners expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in transactions. An internal audit uncovered suspicious transfers of funds unrelated to the company's official operations. A series of financial transactions were identified, used to purchase luxury items and real estate—raising immediate red flags with authorities.

As a result of an investigation in the UAE, it was discovered that only about 10 million dollars remained in the company’s available accounts, while the majority of the funds had been transferred through several European banks to an unknown destination. The frozen accounts were the result of a serious investigation, which involved major financial institutions such as Raiffeisen Bank, UBS, and Credit Suisse.

A key moment in the investigation was the discovery that Anisimov and his company, Meliora Trading LLC, had received 129 million AED, which were allegedly meant to be transferred to Covart Energy Ltd as part of an oil trading deal. However, the funds were not transferred as intended. Instead, they were redirected to other accounts, including personal ones. During the investigation, forged banking documents were also uncovered, falsely claiming that the funds remained in the Meliora Trading LLC account, even though the balance at the time was only 9,785 AED.

This case not only broke the law but also served as a serious warning to all market participants. It underscored the importance of adhering to international standards and maintaining transparency in financial transactions. The ongoing investigation could set an important precedent in the fight against financial crimes and strengthen mechanisms for overseeing large-scale transactions.

The Anisimov case is a reminder of how easy it is to lose control in the world of finance, where one wrong move can destroy not just a business but also a career and reputation.