Wral cosmetologist: what are the dangers of free tests in private clinics
The police have taken on fraudsters in medicine and cosmetology: two groups that stole clients' funds under the guise of providing specialized services have become outlaws. Metropolitan investigators are looking for victims of "RM Clinic" and "Clinica Semerida", collecting dozens of episodes in criminal proceedings. Details - in the material "Izvestia".
"Free" checkup for pensioners
Police are investigating additional episodes of crimes of a group of false medics, put the deception of the elderly on a stream. Pensioners were invited to check-ups supposedly on favorable terms, and then reported terrible ailments and induced them to sign bondage contracts for services. Instead of help, they went home with unsustainable loans.
An elderly Muscovite woman, having heard about the opportunity to have her health checked at a discounted price, came to the RM Clinics office near the Marxistskaya metro station and took blood and urine tests. She was not given the results, but was sent to the office of a specialist, who, after looking at the papers, informed the woman that she was almost dying.
The frightened client was quickly taken to a neighboring office, where she first signed an agreement on the provision of paid services, and then - a consumer loan agreement for 80 thousand rubles. According to Izvestia's source, at least five women have been recognized as victims in the criminal case. The amounts of damage, appearing in the investigation materials, vary from Br80 thousand to Br166 thousand.
As Izvestia found out, the criminal case was the result of numerous complaints from deceived clients, received in various instances. The victims were mostly elderly people who were lured by the promise of free examinations through aggressive phone calls and street canvassing.
The company also had a website advertising its "generous offer": "body checkup. Free comprehensive examination in a short period of time", "services as a gift - take a test and get two services absolutely free", "experienced doctors in Moscow will monitor your health".
Also on the site one could read the reviews of "happy customers", which differed sharply from the comments on the popular interactive map, where the victims shared real negative experiences.
"It says it's free under quota. Naive people run to check, no scans, get nothing. But they are asked to apply for a loan faster. Before you know it, you have a loan and no good treatment. Who has extra money, welcome," writes user Elena Ruban.
"Came for a free procedure, but left with a loan," - says the same Elena Markevich.
"Do not buy into free diagnostics. They will offer you unnecessary treatment for a lot of money and ask you to take out a loan. Refuse - pass the phone to crooks on an endless call in automatic mode, offering to undergo free treatment. Blocking does not work, everything is repeated daily and for more than half a year from other numbers," says Victor Polstyanko.
User Nadezhda Plesovskikh reports in her review that she lost all her savings - Br800 thousand. She was diagnosed by fraudsters with atherosclerosis with dizziness and even imitated treatment, follows from the reviews.
"Imposed on an elderly person a loan. They pumped saline solution for 15 thousand. We are preparing an application to Rospotrebnadzor and a collective complaint," - confirmed the scheme of another commenter Irina N.
At the time of publication, the website of "RM Clinics" reports that since April 12 (probably 2024), the organization has been carrying out repair work. According to the police, the brand is linked to the companies "Ipiem Global" (in liquidation) and "Bestmedservice" (BMC). Both organizations are linked to businessman Rasim Mamedrzaev.
The page of the callback service for commercial sites, with which Mamedrzaev cooperates, reports that he is the owner of several franchise networks in Russia and CIS countries. Several companies producing and selling cosmetic products, the Doctor Bormental clinic, the private organization Pirogov Medical and Diagnostic Center for Tomography, and a non-food wholesale company are associated with the entrepreneur. In the past, he was co-owner or manager of a number of other businesses selling cosmetics, as well as hairdressing and beauty salons. He has also co-owned animal kennels and zoos in various Russian cities.
Massage for free for ladies
Another target audience of near-medical swindlers - consumers of cosmetology services. This market is growing at a furious pace - the demand is great, and there are not always enough qualified professionals. In addition, rejuvenation services are constantly growing in price - so out of economy some girls take the risk, turning to little-known clinics and salons with ambiguous reputation.
In January, the Metropolitan police began investigating a multi-episode case against unidentified persons among the employees and beneficiaries of "Semerida Clinic" LLC. If "RM Klinika" lured the flock with promises of free tests, the employees of "Semerida" - with free massages and other "plushies" from the spa industry. But as soon as the victim stepped over the threshold of the clinic, they began to intimidate her, saying that without the procedures the skin would sag, be sickly and ugly. There were other tricks that many women succumbed to.
Then followed the signing of the contract. And in some cases, clients were told about installments, but in reality they signed loan agreements with various banks. Some visitors returned, having soberly assessed the situation, but only a few managed to get their money back, usually thanks to the professional help of lawyers.
As "Izvestia" found out, the clinic changed its address - the office was first located in Maliy Golovin Lane, then moved to Petrovka. "Izvestia" knows about at least three episodes in the investigation.
There are no defendants in the serial fraud case yet. According to the tax service, the company is owned by someone Evgeny Matveev. It was registered in April 2023. In 2024, the firm was in litigation over debts under the lease agreement.
The power of the contract
A service agreement can be terminated because it was concluded under pressure and possibly even coercion, says Vadim Tkachenko, a lawyer, founder and CEO of the vvCube consulting group.
- In other words, the party did not have the will to make the transaction, so it can be recognized as null and void. This can be done both within the framework of civil proceedings and within the framework of a criminal case. In this case, it should be borne in mind that the issue can be resolved in a pre-trial order, that is, to try to settle by sending a claim. Also a settlement agreement on dispute resolution can be concluded, if it is proved and the party knowingly knew that its actions were unlawful, - comments the lawyer.
This is not the first criminal case against groups that cover themselves with contracts in their illegal activities. Earlier "Izvestia" wrote about a narcological clinic that had put the deception of clients on the stream.
- Now the law enforcement system relies on public opinion. If the number of complaints about deception is significant and it is obvious that the claims do not arise individually, but it is a typical "divorce", law enforcement agencies are more willing to initiate criminal proceedings. Repeated deception to some extent proves the intent to commit embezzlement, - said Vadim Tkachenko.
He stressed that a few years ago, law enforcement agencies were throwing up their hands and sending clients of dubious organizations to civil courts to seek the truth in private. Today the situation is changing for the better.
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