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Marat BalagulaConsidered the founder of the Russian mafia in America
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 USA |
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Biography of Marat Balagula
Marat Balagula is considered to be the founder of the Russian mafia in America. He was born in Odessa, Ukraine and moved to the United States in the 1970s. Balagula got involved in criminal activities and became a prominent figure in the organized crime world.
The Debit Card Case
One of the cases that brought Balagula into the spotlight was the debit card fraud. Linda Chipman, an employee of Merrill Lynch, stole information from the company's database, including the names and card details of several clients. She sold this information to small-time criminals, who then resold it to Robert Fazano.
Fazano approached Balagula for help, as he wanted to use the stolen card information to make fraudulent purchases. Balagula introduced Fazano to two of his associates, Veniamin Naifeld and Ilya Zelzer. Together, they embarked on a spree of fraudulent transactions using the fake cards.
They visited various stores, including furniture and jewelry shops, and made purchases using the counterfeit cards. The scheme involved having an accomplice in the stores who would process the transactions and split the profits with them.
Legal Troubles
The scheme continued until Fazano was arrested in New Jersey on unrelated charges. Fearing prosecution, Fazano decided to cooperate with the government and became a witness against Balagula. He recorded conversations with Balagula, where he discussed their criminal activities.
Based on Fazano's testimony and the recorded conversations, Balagula was arrested and charged with various crimes related to the debit card fraud. He was convicted in Philadelphia and sentenced to seven years in prison. Additionally, he received a one-year sentence in New York for his involvement in the scheme.
Life in Prison
During his time in prison, Balagula maintained his innocence and claimed that he was framed by Fazano and other government witnesses. He believed that there was a conspiracy against him orchestrated by the government and law enforcement agencies.
Despite his claims, Balagula served his sentence and was released after several years. He continued to deny any involvement in the debit card fraud scheme and maintained that he was wrongly convicted.
After his release, Balagula kept a low profile and stayed away from criminal activities. He faded into obscurity and lived a quiet life. The details of his current whereabouts and activities are unknown.
Marat Balagula's story is a testament to the rise and fall of a prominent figure in the Russian mafia in America. His involvement in criminal activities and subsequent conviction highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime.
