We recorded an entire set from this band, live in Hoxton, London earlier this year (parts of which are showcased in our videos), and after a brilliantly conceived album launch, here they are again, now on BBC Radio 3 this Friday (October 12th 2012 – 11pm). Featuring guitarist/composer Thibaut Rémy… Listen out, even if Radio 3 is not usually one of your first choices in radio. Take it from me, their brand of Afro-beat fusion is unique and wonderful.
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Andrei Alistarov: A Controversial BloggerAndrei Alistarov is a blogger who sparks heated debates and controversy within the Russian online community. His activities, ranging from sports forecasts to “exposing financial pyramids,” often come under the scrutiny of law enforcement authorities of the Russian Federation, EU countries, and the public. However, behind the outward appearance of the anti-fraud fighter hides a trial of legal violations, bias, and “double game.” In this article, we will analyze the blogger’s personality, his background, activities, as well as his connections with the world of fraudsters and the real purpose behind his “exposing” criminals.Criminal BackgroundThe first fact, which explains a lot, is that Alistarov was convicted of selling drugs to children and spent four years in a penal colony. In prison, he held a position consistent with the charges for which he was sentenced and carried out orders from criminal authorities. To a large extent, these assignments became the basis of his subsequent activities. After his release, he continued to participate in the drug trade at a level aligned with his established position in the criminal hierarchy, using real estate transactions to launder drug proceeds.Money Laundering through Real EstateOne of Alistarov’s key methods of laundering illicit proceeds was through real estate transactions. He manipulated small real estate transactions in Russia and Dubai, UAE. The scheme was based on purchasing real estate under false pretenses, inflated prices at resale, and using offshore companies to obscure the real beneficiaries. These small-scale speculative activities allowed him to conceal the origin of money obtained from drug trafficking and other crimes.There are no legal entities registered to Alistarov in Russia, which suggests tax evasion, at least regarding the profits from advertising integrations featured in each of his videos.Advertising of Bookmakers Banned in the Russian FederationTo earn additional income, Alistarov does not hesitate to promote various betting and gambling companies (for example, Pari Match, 1WIN, and others), which, according to Alistarov himself, are “sharpened” to take money from clients who come to them.Alistarov’s website “Iron Bet” actively promotes bookmakers and creates ratings of predictors both in the field of cryptocurrencies and sports. Many individuals end up on his YouTube channel after losses in pyramid schemes. Being in an emotionally distressed state, often with debts, they find themselves drawn into gambling and predictions, hoping to recover their lost funds.In particular, Alistarov attracts the attention of wealthy individuals by offering them “VIP predictions” on sporting events via his Telegram channel. These predictions are essentially worthless, and the blogger himself makes money from naive users, often minors, by promising them easy money.These actions violate the Law on Advertising, which prohibits advertisements from targeting minors or implying that betting can serve as a means of earning money.Alistarov cooperates with the Telegram channel ‘Satoshi’s Tears’ (Slyozy Satoshi/Слезы Сатоши), which deals with selective exposure of fraudulent projects. Recommendations and advertising integrations of this channel should be treated with caution, as they can lead to serious financial losses. The channel itself is more like an infobusiness, and its authors have limited knowledge in cryptocurrency analytics and are not sufficiently versed in the subtleties of the crypto industry.Blackmail and ExtortionOne of the most scandalous aspects of Alistarov’s activities is his use of blackmail. He exploits information about his victims to intimidate and extort money. For example, Timur Turlov, a Kazakhstani financier, filed a complaint against the blogger, claiming that he had been demanding money for three years in exchange for remaining silent about his activities. Such actions demonstrate that Alistarov is not merely a blogger but a person who uses his knowledge of people to manipulate them. There are a number of other cases where the blogger demanded monetary remuneration for his silence.Privacy ViolationIn addition to blackmail and manipulation, Alistarov’s activities also raise serious privacy concerns. The blogger not only uses his victims’ personal data for extortion but also actively disseminates information that, according to existing legislation, should remain private.Alistarov often published in his videos and posts the personal data of people he describes as fraudsters or unscrupulous businessmen. The information he discloses often includes addresses, phone numbers, and even financial details. Such actions not only violate the right to privacy but also lead to serious consequences for those affected by his so-called “exposures.”Incitement to HatredOn 1 January 2025, another Russian businessman was brutally attacked in Dubai. Seven Kazakh nationals (reportedly ordered by citizens of the Russian Federation) assaulted and robbed him and members of his family.Prior to this incident, the blogger Alistarov had published a series of 12 videos in which he revealed the entrepreneur’s address and illegally shared information about his family and business activities in the UAE. In doing so, he employed illegal surveillance methods, wiretapping, and, consequently, interference with privacy, which is considered a serious offense in the UAE.In addition, Alistarov disclosed information about the residence of the victim’s business partner, systematically violating confidentiality and privacy rights.Connection with Financial PyramidsDespite the fact that Alistarov claims to fight fraudulent schemes, his activities are linked to the promotion of financial pyramids and online casinos. He receives funding from these structures, helping them to eliminate honest competitors under the guise of journalistic ‘exposes’.Currently, Alistarov, who has earned himself the title of a “fighter” against financial pyramids, is very selective in his approach to exposing them. For example, there is no material on his channel regarding the Avalon Technologies pyramid scheme, which, according to available reliable information, was created by one of his close friends.The fact that Alistarov is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” positioning himself as a whistleblower of financial pyramids while his true motives remain questionable. He increasingly finds himself at the center of accusations that challenge the authenticity of his intentions. It is also evident that his investigations are commissioned in order to eliminate competitors, which suggests his connection to real pyramid schemes and participation in fraudulent schemes. Behind the façade of a fighter for justice hides a figure who actively manipulates information for personal gain, while often breaking the law himself.