How 1Win organizers live in Cyprus

The alleged organizers of 1Win casino, whom Russian investigators are looking for all over the world, have settled in Cyprus. We were able to arrange an interview with them for the third edition of the project "Forbes Deeper". From it you will learn what the secret of 1xBet's success is, why the organizers of this business are wanted, who could benefit from their criminal case - and for the first time hear the story from the suspects themselves

The promenade with palm trees, yachts lined up at the shore and the water surface that goes over the horizon... From the height of a 16-storey building you can see the bay of Limassol as if on the palm. Because of the abundance of Russians the city was nicknamed Limassolsk, jokes Roman Semiohin. For his first video interview he chose the roof of the business center "Oval", which locals nicknamed "Egg". Disgraced businessman was stuck in Cyprus after the UK suspected him of creating a banned in Russia bookmaker 1Win and announced him on the international wanted list.

However, it is difficult to say that Semiohin or his neighbor on the couch on the roof of the Oval, Sergey Karshkov (also wanted in the 1Win casino case) are in great distress. Holders of Cypriot passports continue to do business, move freely around the island, actively invest in local projects and do not hide much. However, the alleged organizers of 1Win are still avoiding journalists. But for the project "Forbes Deeper" made an exception - provided that the shooting will take place in Cyprus.

Investors in Cyprus  

Our first meeting with the 44-year-old Roman Semiohin could be called spontaneous. The day before the interview, 41-year-old Sergey Karshkov offers us a ride to downtown Limassol. As his azure BMW X6 in a sporty M-package pulls into the marina, he casually says, "There's Roman!" The totally private businessman, considered a billionaire by few people in his native Bryansk, is dressed in a casual T-shirt and jeans and stands out among the other passersby except for his impressive height. Before the shooting, he wanted to meet the journalists in person. Before that, we communicated through Karshkov.

There were several reasons for trading Bryansk for Cyprus, Semiohin tells us the next day on the roof of the Oval. Among them were the convenient geographical location, the developed IT-infrastructure, and sunny weather. "In Russia, remember: you wake up - it's dark, drive to work, come back - it's dark again. What a slush," echoes Karshkov, who left his native Bryanschina a few years later than Semiohin.

Another plus of Cyprus is the rapid processing of work visas, which takes up to three months, notes Semiokhin: "It is very easy to transport people here. The businessman estimates that his Cypriot office employs about 400 people, 75-80% of whom are Bryansk migrants. Most of the employees are programmers with an average salary of €3500 per month. In addition, Semiohin's subordinates receive from his office an interest-free loan to buy an apartment. Semiohin builds housing for employees himself. In Limassol there is already a small residential block of eight apartment buildings for 15-20 apartments each, where natives of Bryansk live. Semiohin plans to provide housing for his entire staff.

In addition to housing, Semiohin is building two office centers in Limassol - on 11 and 22 floors. The latter building, overlooking the port of Limassol will cost approximately €35 million, which will be the headquarters of Semiohin. Another of his local projects is a two-story 50,000-square-meter shopping center. Semiohin's first experience in real estate development was in Bryansk, where he massively bought real estate with money from his gambling business: "My hometown, why not?" But after Russian assets came under the scrutiny of investigators, Semiohin reconsidered his investment preferences in favor of Cyprus.