Harmony Training Center: Samara Clients Lose Apartments, Gold

New materials continue to arrive at the editorial office of 63.RU from people who consider themselves victims of the activities of the Harmony training center and its founder Ella Prudnikova. People talk about how, after «personal growth trainings,» they lost huge sums of money. If our first publication was about the system as a whole, now personal stories of people who insist their lives were ruined are coming to the fore. New names, sums, and descriptions of schemes are emerging. And the main question, according to the subjects, becomes even sharper: why, in their view, has this situation still not been resolved?

Version of Alexander Pozdnyakov: how a shift-work engineer was driven into a debt pit with threats of prison

Alexander Pozdnyakov is the same Alexander whose version we began to tell in the first article. Now, with his consent, we are publishing his last name. He shares new extreme details of his case. In Alexander«s opinion, this is a clear instruction on how to turn a person with no legal problems into a cornered, impoverished debtor forced to record suicide videos within a few years.

From «family» to financial slavery

According to Pozdnyakov, after joining Harmony in 2020, he, a successful shift-work engineer, went through all stages of processing: delight at the «elite club,» total control at trainings, humiliating tasks. Then, he believes, the standard push-pull scheme began: they took small loans from him with instant repayment to gain trust.

«They became a »family.« Ella and her assistant knew everything: about my dream to buy an apartment in Samara, about my income, about my parents. They played on this masterfully,» says Pozdnyakov.

According to Alexander, he, like others, was persuaded to take out loans. He cites words that, he insists, Ella Prudnikova said: «Why pay interest to the bank? I»d rather pay you back myself.« Over several years, by the man»s calculations, about 20 million rubles (approximately $200,000 at current rates) passed through his hands. Half were his own funds, the other half were credit funds.

The «ARS Group» firm and the «zeroing» scheme

When the credit resources dried up, Alexander was offered «new opportunities.» He became the founder of the firm ARS Group LLC.

«Ella said: »You«re tired of shift work! Let»s open a firm, you«ll be our partner, like family.» I agreed, like a fool.«

According to him, the firm was registered in his name, but Ella Prudnikova became the sole director and account owner. Alexander believes she conducted no real business. Later, it turned out that a car lease was taken out in her name. After studying the money flow, he became convinced, he says, that he had fallen into a trap of «zeroing» credit card debts through the firm«s account, which, in his opinion, could be interpreted as a violation of the law.

The «zeroing» scheme, as reconstructed by him from statements:

• Loan: Alexander withdrew 500,000 rubles (approximately $5,000) from his credit card and gave the cash to Prudnikova.

• Rollover: When the payment deadline approached, 50,000 rubles (approximately $500) would come from her firm«s account to his card to make the minimum payment and »zero out« the grace period.

• Legalization: Then he was asked to transfer these 50,000 rubles (or a new 500,000) »for services« to the settlement account of ARS Group LLC.

• Counter-debt: Those 50,000 rubles that came from the firm now, according to documents, became a loan from the organization to its founder (Alexander). Under a loan agreement with predatory interest rates.

• Trap: In the end, Alexander had a simple IOU from Ella for 500,000 rubles. But according to his own firm»s documents, he owed a debt to this firm (that is, to Ella as director) of 2-3 million rubles (approximately $20,000-$30,000). And, most importantly, all transfers through the firm«s account could be interpreted as a violation of Federal Law 115 (the anti-money laundering law).

In correspondence provided by Alexander, he is told directly: «And what does the loan have to do with it. You needed to roll over the card, we sent you money from the firm expecting it to be returned. 115-FZ is cash-out» (spelling and punctuation preserved).

«They offered me to sign a fake loan agreement with my own firm to »cover up« the scheme. They threatened that otherwise they would freeze the accounts under 115-FZ. It was pure blackmail,» he insists.

«Better a terrible end than endless terror»

By the beginning of 2025, Alexander realized the full horror of his situation. He says they «kept stringing him along with promises» for months, asked him to «prepare sums and part ways amicably.»

«I realized that if I didn»t close the card, there would be three court cases over the loans. I was afraid they would do to me what they did to others. I decided to play along and prepare for war. Better a terrible end than endless terror. I already understood that I was a victim, and it was a matter of time what I could do while they still thought I was zombified and obeying them.«

He pretended to still be under control, while frantically gathering documents and preparing statements in parallel.

Swindler lawyers and a suicide video

In despair, Alexander turned to lawyers—a certain Olga and Vladimir. However, their «help,» according to him, boiled down to extorting money «for an envelope to the police.»

«They scared me every day, saying a lot of money was needed, otherwise nothing would work out, no one would help me, they told me I would have nothing to eat, that my problems were very expensive... They drove me to the last resort,» Alexander recounts.

Alexander is convinced that the culmination was their proposal to record a suicide video in case of an «attempt on his life by Ella.» The man did it. In the recording, holding a stack of IOUs from Prudnikova for millions, he states:

«If something happens to me... from the Prudnikovs and their assistants... most likely, unlawful actions will have been committed.»

Version of Vera: 12 million, apartment sale, and rented housing in the Moscow region

According to 63.RU information, Vera P. considers herself one of the most severely affected (in terms of damage amount). She tells of a multi-step operation in which, she is convinced, her personal traumas and maternal feelings were used.

According to Vera, in 2021, she, a single mother with a teenage son, dealing with the aftermath of childhood abuse, sought help. She had previously taken a training course in Moscow, and in Samara, acquaintances persuaded her to turn to Harmony. Ella Prudnikova, who holds the status of a psychologist, took Vera on for «annual maintenance» for 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,000), but, the woman insists, hardly conducted any sessions. Meanwhile, as Vera felt, Prudnikova thoroughly studied her pain—the trauma of lacking a safe home (according to Vera, she was thrown out onto the street as a child).

Used to coping on her own all her life, Vera wanted to sell her one-room apartment to buy a two-room one: her son was growing up, they needed more space. At that moment, she believes, Prudnikova«s »right-hand woman« made a tempting offer: »Give us 4.5 million rubles (approximately $45,000) for business, we«ll pay you 100,000 rubles a month for rent.»

Vera initially refused. However, under constant psychological pressure, she first invested in a construction project in Krasnodar, then gave in to persuasion to invest in «glamping.»

Under cumulative pressure (unhealed traumas, problems with her son, complete lack of support) Vera sold her apartment, took out loans, and transferred a total of over 12.5 million rubles (approximately $125,000) to Ella Prudnikova. There was no contract. Even an IOU, Vera insists, she obtained with great difficulty.

In December 2022, almost immediately after receiving money from Vera, Ella Prudnikova bought a two-story house in the Rubezhny settlement in Samara for 17 million rubles (approximately $170,000), registering it in her mother«s name. Vera is not sure these events are connected but considers the coincidence telling.

To cover the growing loan delinquency, Vera pawned her gold (family heirlooms) at a pawnshop. According to Vera, Ella promised to buy it back but did not. In the end, due to payment delinquency, the jewels were lost forever.

Vera says that from 2023 to 2025 she lived in a hell of eternal promises and «tomorrows,» receiving pitiful sums of 20-40 thousand rubles (approximately $200-$400) from Prudnikova. In despair, she wrote to Ella: «You are using my money... do you have any conscience at all??»

The reply was cynical: «You live where you chose to live yourself. I have nothing to do with you selling your apartment.»

The result for Vera:

• A debt of over 12.5 million rubles.

• 8 enforcement proceedings from banks.

• A rented apartment in Moscow for 60,000 rubles (approximately $600) a month instead of her own.

• Real estate sold at a loss, lost gold.

• Deep psychological trauma.

Version of Rubina: from an enthusiastic manager to a victim with a million-ruble debt

Rubina came to Harmony in 2024 on a friend«s invitation. She was impressed by the enthusiastic testimonials on the center»s website: they wrote that one girl became a producer for Meladze, another couple was cured of infertility, someone opened a successful food delivery business. Rubina at that time had a prosperous life: family, children, a house, a car, a good remote job. But, by her own admission, she «lacked something for complete happiness.»

From training to office work

After completing three levels of training, Rubina sincerely believed in the idea of «changing the world for the better.» She and her husband, who also completed the program, were accepted into the «big leader family.» In May 2025, according to Rubina, she was persuaded to stay on as a manager in the Harmony office.

«They offered me a probation period, and from August promised a salary from the programs. They also mentioned the need for a psychology degree. At my own expense, taking out an installment plan, I enrolled in the Moscow Institute of Psychology,» Rubina tells us.

At first, everything resembled a fairy tale. As she recounts, she and her husband were invited to the Prudnikovs« family parties in a two-story house with a pool in Rubezhny, to restaurants, bathhouses. Rubina maintains that Ella Prudnikova »squandered money,« paying bills for large groups with a »corporate card.« These events were voluntary-forced: those who refused were accused of betraying the »family.«

Mechanism of debt entanglement

Parallel to work, «loans» began. First, Rubina insists, there were small sums, 30-50 thousand rubles (approximately $300-$500) for a few days. Prudnikova«s assistant returned them on time, though mentioning temporary difficulties with withdrawing money from the legal entity.

The key moment came in June 2025. During one of the work evenings, according to Rubina, Ella Prudnikova personally asked her for 220,000 rubles (approximately $2,200) «until the end of the month.» Rubina insists the money was transferred through the center«s terminal as payment for »family training.« No receipts were given.

«Let»s keep all loans between us,« the woman cites Ella»s words.

On 31 July 2025, Rubina and her husband were invited for a «serious talk.» Ella Prudnikova told a story about ARS Group LLC, which was allegedly being liquidated by a disgruntled former leader (that same Alexander Pozdnyakov), and, according to Rubina, offered them to become founders of a new restaurant, Gourmet. After their refusal, she tried to convert the already borrowed 500+ thousand rubles into «interest-bearing investments.» Upon learning that Rubina«s husband was unaware of these debts, Prudnikova dropped the subject.

Credit card and betrayal

In August, Rubina says, during a training session, she was asked to give her credit card to Prudnikova«s driver, Alexander E., to buy refreshments (»basic provisions«). He spent 70,500 rubles (approximately $705), not only on cookies and tea but also on beer, dog food, and diapers. Rubina only found out by checking her mobile bank.

After the training, Ella«s assistant, in our interlocutor»s opinion, took cash payment from students right in front of her and said: «Add it to the existing debt.»

«And »that debt« had been taken just a couple of hours earlier, when the assistant, »pretending to have a panic attack and wrapped in a blood pressure monitor,« begged for more money because her card limit had been cut. She swore to return everything,» Rubina tells the 63.RU journalist.

The total debt according to the IOU amounted to 935,000 rubles (approximately $9,350). Of this, the woman says, Prudnikova returned only 40,000 rubles (approximately $400).

Rubina«s version took a new dramatic turn when her husband Artyom (name changed) entered the conflict. His attempt to stand up for his wife and recover nearly a million rubles resulted in public humiliation and threats. 63.RU obtained video recordings of that visit, shedding light on how the Harmony system defended itself against »rebellions« within its ranks.

Artyom«s visit to the »den«

Artyom, outraged by the situation and his wife«s psychological state, decided to talk to Ella Prudnikova personally. He came to the Harmony office during one of the programs. Here is what happened next, according to Rubina and transcripts of audio recordings she provided:

• Start with video recording. Artyom began video recording on his phone right from the doorstep. This immediately threw Prudnikova off balance. She stated that she did not consent to filming and that it was prohibited in her »educational institution.«

• Attempt to devalue the debt. In response to the demand to repay the money according to the IOU, whose deadlines had already passed (September, October, November 2025), Ella Prudnikova counterattacked. Her position, recorded on audio, was: »Rubina knew that the situation at the firm was such that we most likely had not met the September obligation. We sat with her in this office and discussed it... She, as an office employee, understood everything perfectly.«

• Threats and blackmail. When Artyom continued to insist, Prudnikova changed tactics. She stated that if they »destroyed« the training center with their disputes, there would simply be nowhere to get the money to return: »The only source of income at the moment is the training center... You are doing everything to destroy the training center«s work... If you don»t let me work, fine... It will be worse for you.«

• Intervention by Prudnikova»s husband. Sergei Prudnikov entered the conversation (officially, he and Ella are divorced). His tone, according to Rubina«s description, was aggressive and humiliating. He did not discuss the substance of the debt but moved to personal attacks and threats. On one recording, he can be heard yelling that he will »call the cops now« and that »everyone begging will be taken away in a paddy wagon.« Artyom retorted: »Go ahead, call.«

• A circus instead of dialogue. Instead of a constructive conversation about repaying the money, Prudnikova, according to Rubina, suggested Artyom wait until 27-28 November, when, allegedly, some court hearing about her house would take place and things would become clear. To the man»s direct question: «You»re not planning to repay it anyway, are you?« Ella answered evasively: »I didn«t say that.»

In the end, Artyom left empty-handed. He wasn«t even offered a repayment schedule. He was only made to understand that he was a »beggar« interfering with important work and that any actions against the center would backfire on him.

What was happening behind the scenes of this visit?

Rubina, commenting on Prudnikova«s behavior that day, notes an important detail that other employees later told her.

While her husband was demanding money in the office, the training center itself was operating normally. Moreover, that same evening, just a couple of hours after the tense conversation, Ella Prudnikova, her husband, and close associates were discussing... an upcoming party.

«I was told later,» Rubina insists, «that right after we left, they were deciding »how much beer to get« and »where to get drunk.« For them, it was just an annoying episode. They lived in their own reality, where debts to »little people« were no reason at all to deny themselves pleasures.»

Consequences for Rubina«s family

According to the family«s version, Rubina»s husband«s visit didn»t bring money but became the point of final break with Harmony and enlightenment for the woman herself. Rubina, she says, became finally convinced that she was dealing not with mistakes or temporary difficulties, but with a cynical and cruel system where human dignity is worthless.

After this incident, they believe, Rubina and her husband were finally expelled from all chats and any communication with the «leader family.» Furthermore, rumors began to spread about them as «troublesome,» «inadequate» people.

However, this public scandal had an unexpected effect. Other, still doubting participants of the center learned about it. For some, it became a catalyst for their own awakening. Rubina«s version and her husband»s determination began to be circulated in backroom conversations, undermining the idealized image of Prudnikova.

The result for Rubina and Artyom:

• A financial debt of 935,000 rubles, which Prudnikova is in no hurry to repay.

• A credit card deep in the red—the result of manipulations.

• Complete destruction of social connections built around Harmony.

• Deep psychological trauma from realizing how they were used.

Version of Olga and Nikita: an engineer«s family fell into financial bondage for the sake of »family business«

Olga, Nikita«s wife, shares her anxiety. According to the woman, her husband, a technical specialist, became Ella Prudnikova»s «right-hand man» and ended up as the nominal director of several LLCs.

Here is what Olga recounts:

«Nikita came to Harmony on a recommendation. He wanted growth, investment opportunities. Ella Prudnikova offered him to »join the family business.« Being technically proficient, he began handling IT support for the center, and then legal and financial matters.

Under pressure and promises of future millions, Nikita agreed to become the nominal founder and director of several LLCs connected to Prudnikova, including the Gourmet restaurant. They promised him a salary of 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,000) a month, but in fact paid irregularly and less.

Huge cash flows passed through Nikita. Money came into the accounts of «his» firms, which then, at Prudnikova«s direction, went to unclear purposes, repayment of old debts, or were withdrawn in cash. Trusting the »family,« he signed documents without delving into details,» the woman explained.

Olga insists she was wary of her husband«s involvement from the start. She saw how he disappeared for days, became withdrawn, family money was flowing into the »business.« When she tried to talk, Nikita answered that he was »doing it all for the family, to become financially independent.«

The situation worsened when it turned out that multi-million ruble loans taken out at Prudnikova«s request were registered in Nikita»s name. Olga tells how, in panic, she called other center participants and gradually learned from others that such debts were not an isolated case.

«I asked Nikita: »Where does their income come from if they constantly borrow to roll one debt into another?« He couldn»t answer. He believed that soon «everything would take off.» At one point, I discovered that Ella, through Nikita, was trying to borrow another 2 million rubles (approximately $20,000) from his colleague at his main job.

Trying to save the family, I contacted other victims, including Alexander Pozdnyakov. I showed my husband evidence of fraudulent schemes, court decisions. But Nikita, probably having undergone deep psychological conditioning, refused to believe it. He continued to justify Prudnikova, saying she was «resolving issues,» and the problems were due to «machinations of ill-wishers.» Like Pozdnyakov,« Olga recounts.

The result for the family has been catastrophic:

• Credit slavery. Nikita is saddled with multi-million ruble loans taken for Prudnikova. Monthly payments exceed his official salary.

• Legal liability. As the nominal director, he bears the risks from audits and possible criminal cases (for example, under Article 199 of the Criminal Code—tax evasion by an organization).

• Frozen accounts. Money has started to be withdrawn from his personal and corporate accounts to cover debts on the restaurant«s loans.

• Destroyed relationships. The family is now plagued by constant quarrels, distrust, fear of debt collectors and law enforcement.

Olga says her husband is still in a state of «withdrawal.» He is no longer so confident in Prudnikova but cannot bring himself to make a complete break, fearing being left alone with the debts and legal problems. He hopes that if he stays «close,» Ella will somehow help solve them.

«Stubborn and brazen»: the war in the courts continues

Despite the barrage of publications about her activities, Harmony is not giving up. According to Alexander Pozdnyakov, at the end of December 2025, applications to restore missed deadlines in cases they had already lost were filed in courts by Ella Prudnikova and her assistant.

«Stubborn and brazen, despite everything, she is trying to turn everything around,» Alexander comments. «She realized her situation is bad... There is reason to believe they were previously putting on a brave face, but now they have panicked.»

He also reports that the criminal case, despite investigators« promises, is essentially at a standstill—it is allegedly being lazily shuffled between departments.

«Things are more successful in civil courts,» he states.

A 63.RU journalist sent an official inquiry to law enforcement agencies. At the time of publication of this material, we received only a response from the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Samara Region:

«I inform you that at present, in order to comply with the legal rights of participants in criminal proceedings, based on Article 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation (Inadmissibility of disclosure of preliminary investigation data), it is not possible to provide information on the progress of the criminal investigation.»

This response neither confirms nor denies the existence of a criminal case. Thus, all financial disputes mentioned by the subjects, as of today, continue to be of a civil-legal nature and are being considered in courts.

Where did all this money go?

Alexander Pozdnyakov, in a conversation with a 63.RU journalist, voiced a version that, he says, many victims discuss among themselves. They suspect that the huge sums obtained from deceived people could have been invested in real estate sold at bankruptcy auctions, country houses, or land plots registered not in Prudnikova«s own name but in the names of front persons.

«At one time, she became very interested in bankruptcy auctions. And, most likely, she bought up a huge amount of real estate, and simply isn»t registering it in anyone«s name... She is waiting for the moment when all accusations are dropped from her, and then it will suddenly turn out that she possesses a huge pool of country villas in Crimea, Altai, a bunch of land plots... This will only become clear when everyone leaves her alone,» Alexander expresses his assumption.

Ella Prudnikova is not responding. Regional journalists have tried to contact her, but in vain. Her lawyer, Irina Gorbacheva, in an official response to a 63.RU inquiry, insists there is no criminal case and all disputes are of a civil-legal nature. Meanwhile, victims like Alexander Pozdnyakov and Vera P. continue to live in rented apartments, paying for the trust they placed in a person with a clinical psychology diploma.

«She is cunning. That always scared and kept us in fear. It»s unclear what to expect from her. Every day, for over a year now, we are on pins and needles. She simply doesn«t want to return the money at all, as if she believes it»s not stolen, but has long been her own,« says Alexander Pozdnyakov.

The editorial office of 63.RU continues to monitor developments. In the near future, a report about Harmony will air on a federal TV channel, where experts and victims have been invited. We will continue to follow the developments.