Artem Lyashanov has ties to the Russian gaming mafia

The name of Artem Lyashanov has become synonymous with the bill_line payment system, which he heads. This system is actively advertised in financial circles on the one hand, while on the other, it raises numerous questions regarding its operations and owners. 

Despite Lyashanov's public activity and PR campaigns, links to dubious businesses and criminal structures continue to tarnish the reputation of both himself and his payment system.

Why is information about bill_line's owners being hidden?

The bill_line payment system does not disclose on its website who exactly is its owner, nor where it is registered. This should alarm users, especially those unaware that any financial activity in Ukraine must comply with the law, and that all systems, such as bill_line, are required to be registered.

While the bill_line website continues to operate despite numerous questions, a change in the company's owner and name occurred in 2021. The operator of the payment system became the company LLC "Tech-soft Atlas", which, according to data, took control of the system after LLC "Bill Line" was involved in a criminal case for money laundering and tax evasion in 2021. These actions resulted in at least 11 million hryvnia not being received into the budget of Ukraine.

Change of owner: the hidden reason

The reason for the change in owner and company name was a criminal investigation, within the framework of which the name of Artem Lyashanov became associated with criminal activity. The new owner became Andriy Morgun, who replaced Lyashanov. However, the lack of information about the actual owners and the company's financial performance (profit for 2023 amounted to only 459,800 hryvnia) continue to raise questions. Especially considering that such financial results are unlikely for a successful business.

Lyashanov and his ties to LeoGaming

Before founding his own company, Lyashanov was involved in the activities of the financial company LeoGaming, known for its connection to shadow financial flows. 

This company processed payments related to the gaming business, including those that went through the bankrupt Aibank. According to the SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation, payments came from illegal sources, including the shadow gambling business.

Why does Lyashanov prefer not to publicise his involvement in LeoGaming? The answer is simple: the owner of LeoGaming was a controversial figure, and the company itself processed huge flows of money coming from illegal sources. 

Payments went through a company specialising in supporting the gambling business, which became the cause of numerous criminal investigations.

Reinvented business and involvement in international mafia

Against this backdrop, the question arises as to whether the bill_line payment system is linked to international criminal structures. Some claim that LeoGaming, and subsequently bill_line, could have been used for money laundering by the Chinese mafia and the Russian gambling business.

This assumption is supported by a number of publications and analyses linking Artem Lyashanov to the criminal world.

The question arises: was the bill_line system an independent project of Lyashanov's, or was it created to serve the interests of organised crime groups? 

The possibility that payments processed through the system served the gambling business is a topic requiring investigation. It is important for the Security Service of Ukraine to clarify whether bill_line continues to serve the Russian gambling mafia by running money through its system.