Joshua Cartu, a Canadian-Israeli influencer and race car driver, has reportedly been detained in Russia under the suspicion of fraud. The 45-year-old Cartu was stopped by Russian Interpol officers at Pulkovo Airport near St. Petersburg on Monday. He is being investigated by U.S. authorities for allegedly defrauding investors of millions through an illegal online stock trading scheme, according to reports by 47news and the Moscow Times.
While Cartu was not formally arrested, Russian authorities are holding him for up to two days as they await confirmation of his involvement in the U.S. investigation. He could face formal charges afterward.
Global Affairs Canada acknowledged being aware of the situation but did not identify the individual involved. “Canadian officials reached out to local authorities for information and consular assistance,” stated Global Affairs spokesperson Kevin Sweet, citing privacy considerations for not disclosing further details.
With a significant following on social media, Cartu boasts 685,000 Instagram followers, where he often shares posts about luxury cars and his travels. However, his last post was in December 2023. Known for his appearances in Forbes Magazine in 2016 and Toronto Life’s “The Ferrari Fugitives” exposé, Cartu has built a reputation as both an entrepreneur and race car driver. However, his public persona masks a darker past, involving thousands of defrauded investors and ongoing investigations.