The Bank of Russia identified 1,400 illegal immigrants in the financial market in the first quarter

In the first quarter of 2026, the number of illegal creditors and pseudo-investment projects, including pyramid schemes, increased in Russia. This was announced on May 5 by the press service of the Central Bank of Russia.

According to the regulator, 1,400 companies with signs of illegal activity have been identified in the country since the beginning of the year. This is 9% more than in the fourth quarter of last year. Among them, 656 pseudo-investment projects and financial pyramids, 472 illegal creditors, as well as 257 illegal professional participants in the securities market were found.

"On our initiative, access to more than 7.4 thousand Internet resources belonging to financial pyramids and illegal immigrants was restricted in the first quarter. This is 30% more than in the previous quarter. At the same time, most of these resources are detected almost immediately after their creation, and their mirrors are blocked at the same time. Therefore, most projects do not have time to gain popularity and attract significant funds," the press service said in a Telegram channel message.

The number of pseudo-investment projects increased by 7% in a month. The Bank of Russia noted that fraudsters have switched to a strategy of mass creation of similar structures using similar schemes.

The most noticeable growth, by 36%— was recorded in the segment of illegal lending. At the same time, the regulator notes an increase in the share of black creditors operating exclusively in online format.

In addition, the press service clarified that the regulator sends information about all identified facts of illegal activity in the financial market to law enforcement agencies.

The news is being updated