Romanian ex-presidential hopeful Călin Georgescu detained in fraud probe linking Russian-controlled MIGOM Bank
Călin Georgescu was taken into custody by DIICOT on accusations of defrauding businessman Răzvan Leu through a scheme involving MIGOM Bank, which prosecutors say is indirectly controlled by Russian interests.
DIICOT detained former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu on fraud charges after a complaint by businessman Răzvan Leu, who claims Georgescu, together with Ionel Rusen and Italian Massimiliano Arena, promised him a substantial credit facility if he provided a cash guarantee to MIGOM Bank Ltd. The prosecutors assert that MIGOM Bank, officially led by Swiss manager Thomas Schaetti, is secretly steered by Russian nationals, notably Michael Guss, who operates through a web of offshore entities and Cyprus-based intermediaries.
The bank’s history includes earlier attempts to enter the European banking sector via Alizee/Ells Bank and a later offshore incarnation in the Dominican Republic. Authorities also note ties between the bank’s leadership and Russian-linked businessman Andrei Kochetkov, as well as contacts with Austrian far-right politicians. Financial regulators in Dominica have now removed Schaetti from the bank’s management, triggering broader cross-border investigations.
Why it matters
The case exposes potential Russian influence in Romanian finance and raises concerns about cross-border money-laundering schemes.
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