A Ukrainian man convicted for his role in a massive international fraud scheme has made a bizarre suggestion during his police interview, claiming former US President Donald Trump could have prevented the crimes targeting elderly Americans.
Courier Sentenced in Major Elderly Fraud Ring
Vladimir Pavlov, 51, was sentenced to between 30 and 75 months in prison on Wednesday in a Nevada district court. Prosecutors detailed his role as a 'courier' for a sprawling criminal organisation that specifically preyed on older US citizens.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Austin Beaumont told the court that Pavlov was part of a ring with 'over a thousand members.' His duties involved picking up cash, often transported in cardboard boxes, on instructions from another individual within the syndicate.
The Bizarre Trump Intervention Claim
During his hearing, prosecutors referenced a remark Pavlov made when investigators asked him how such fraud scams could be prevented. As first reported by local CBS affiliate KLAS, Pavlov stated: 'I know how to stop this. Have Donald Trump on one of his teleconferences warn all the babushkas.'
'Babushka' is the Russian word for 'grandmothers.' Pavlov, born in Ukraine, communicated with co-conspirators in Russian via WhatsApp, despite speaking multiple languages.
Victims Terrified and Financially Ruined
The human cost of the fraud was laid bare in court. One elderly victim testified that she was scammed out of $63,000 after receiving a call falsely claiming her Social Security number was compromised. She nearly handed over a further $50,000.
'That money was supposed to carry me through the rest of my life, including the possibility of assisted living and other expenses that are yet unknown,' the victim told the court. Beaumont alleged the conspirators deliberately terrified victims to stop them from telling family members their information was compromised.
Prosecutors said Pavlov initially travelled to the UK before immigrating to the United States with the intention of stealing from Americans.
Plea and Defence Arguments
Pavlov accepted an Alford plea, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged prosecutors had sufficient evidence for a conviction. His defence attorneys argued he was unaware of the full extent of the crimes and claimed some conversations with investigators were incorrectly translated.
It remains unclear whether other members of the vast international crime ring connected to Pavlov have been arrested. Millions of elderly Americans fall victim to fraud each year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Scammers commonly pose as romantic prospects, family members, or government officials to extract sensitive information and money from this vulnerable demographic.
