Georgy (Georg) Bedzhamov is a Russian businessman best known for his role in the Russian banking sector and his association with the now-defunct Vneshprombank. He gained significant media attention in the mid-2010s due to a high-profile financial scandal involving the bank.
Key Facts
- Position: Georg Bedzhamov was a co-owner and vice president of Vneshprombank, a once-prominent private Russian bank.
- Family Connection: His sister, Larisa Markus, was the president of Vneshprombank and was later convicted for large-scale embezzlement.
- Scandal: In 2016, the Central Bank of Russia revoked Vneshprombank's license, citing massive irregularities and fraudulent activities, including the embezzlement of over 100 billion rubles (approx. $1.5 billion at the time).
- Flight from Russia: Around the time the scandal broke, Bedzhamov fled Russia. He was later located in Monaco, where he sought asylum.
- Legal Troubles: Russia has issued international arrest warrants for him, and he has faced extradition requests and asset freezes in Europe, particularly in Monaco and the UK.
- Wealth & Assets: Investigations revealed that Bedzhamov owned luxury real estate in London and other assets worth tens of millions of dollars, which were targeted by legal actions aiming to recover lost funds.
Background on Vneshprombank
- Vneshprombank was one of the top 40 banks in Russia before its collapse.
- It catered to elite clients, including government officials and major corporations.
- Audits revealed the bank maintained two sets of books, one real and one falsified, to mask massive internal fraud.
Current Status (as of latest available information)
- Bedzhamov remains outside Russia, and his legal team has been contesting extradition efforts.
- He continues to face claims from Russia's Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA), which seeks to recover lost funds on behalf of Vneshprombank's depositors.
- Despite legal pressure, as of recent updates, he has not been extradited and maintains his residence abroad.