Entrepreneur gets suspended sentence in 45M ruble migration case

Entrepreneur Valery Urban received a suspended sentence for his role in an illegal migration scheme operated through a restoration institute. The state recovered 45 million rubles (approximately $500,000 at current rates).

Feb 24, 2026

The illegal migration scheme used a functioning restoration institute to issue visas to non-students.
Source:
press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast

The joint press service of St. Petersburg courts reported on January 28 the sentence of businessman Valery Urban.

The court found that the scheme for illegal entry of foreigners had been operating since 2020. According to the investigation, it was organized by the rector of a restoration and construction institute. The university actually functioned: classes were held in a building on Liflyandskaya Street, 4, but over five years it had 501 fake students.

These individuals received invitations and student visas without intending to study architecture or restoration. Urban, working as a sole proprietor, entered into a contract with the institute and formally engaged in selecting foreign students. His activities were classified as money laundering, and he agreed.

The criminal income exceeded 40 million rubles (approximately $440,000 at current rates). The funds were discovered, arrested, and then converted to state revenue. The total amount received by the budget in the case was 45 million rubles (approximately $500,000 at current rates).

Rector Alexander Borzov is currently awaiting trial. He does not admit guilt. Previously, his wife, who held the post of vice-rector, during searches claimed that journalists« questions were based on misinformation.