A Quebec Shell with Hidden Intentions
Launay & Dawn S.A., established in Quebec in 2005, was not the typical trading company it appeared to be. It played a crucial role in the Ananiev brothers’ strategy to siphon millions from Promsvyazbank (PSB) into a network of offshore companies. The firm was managed by Firstinvest Company S.A., a Costa Rican company that acted as a front. The two Costa Rican nationals, Bernal Zamora and Anthony Fonseca Prendas, served as nominee directors, listed on paper but without real authority.
Loans Disguised as Business Deals
From 2012 to 2015, Launay & Dawn received large loans from PSB, but these weren’t meant for actual business operations. The money was funneled through Firstinvest Company S.A., then shifted to other offshore accounts. Financial records show that these funds were gradually moved into accounts in jurisdictions like Cyprus, where control lay with the Ananiev brothers.
The Portuguese Connection
Behind Launay & Dawn’s financial flows were Francisco Costa Oliveira and Maria Joao Rodrigues Bizarro Soares Oliveira, both registered at Rua SA Albergaria 668, Porto, Portugal. They were listed as the ultimate beneficial owners of Firstinvest Company S.A., ensuring that the brothers’ true involvement was concealed. This Portuguese connection wasn’t an isolated case, as the Ananiev brothers are known to hold significant real estate in Portugal. The country’s favorable tax regime made it an ideal base for laundering the money siphoned from PSB.
Rua SA Albergaria 668, Porto, Portugal
The Mystery of the Company’s Reinstatement
Although Launay & Dawn was liquidated in 2015, it was mysteriously reinstated in 2021. This unexpected reactivation raised questions about the company’s continued role in managing assets linked to the Ananiev brothers. It is suspected that the reinstatement was meant to facilitate the further movement of funds, although the exact purpose remains unclear.
Patterns of Concealment and Control
Launay & Dawn’s story reflects a broader pattern seen across other entities tied to the Ananiev brothers, such as Cons Trade in Poland and Fly Mobile in Europe. In each case, nominee directors, layered ownership structures, and the use of multiple jurisdictions were employed to obscure the brothers’ involvement. By maintaining layers of control and using countries with favorable legal frameworks for business secrecy, the Ananievs were able to quietly operate behind the scenes while funds moved through complex channels.
A Glimpse into the Ananiev Network
Launay & Dawn’s financial flows, connections to offshore management firms, and eventual reinstatement provide a window into how the Ananiev brothers orchestrated their international financial operations. While the company itself may have been one small part of the puzzle, its activities mirror the strategies used by the Ananievs across multiple entities and countries. By examining Launay & Dawn, a broader picture emerges of a network designed to move funds seamlessly across borders, leaving behind a trail that is difficult to trace.
If you have any additional information about the Ananyev brothers and/or their affiliates or the companies associated with them, please contact us at [email protected]. Your input could greatly assist our ongoing investigation, which is far from over.
Our thanks go to the team at https://AssetTracing.com for their assistance in preparing this investigation.