Georgiy Varnava, the 19-year-old nephew of famous Russian comedian Ekaterina Varnava, has been arrested in connection with a phone scam targeting elderly pensioners. Varnava is accused of helping fraudsters by acting as a courier to collect money from victims who were misled into transferring their savings. His involvement could result in a prison sentence of up to six years.
The arrest occurred on February 12, 2025, when Georgiy was caught meeting with an 87-year-old woman in Mytishchi. The elderly woman had been tricked by scammers posing as bank officials and had withdrawn 350,000 rubles to transfer to a “safe account.” The bank staff, noticing her suspicious behavior, intervened and called the police. Georgiy arrived to collect the money but was arrested by officers who had been monitoring the situation.
During questioning, Georgiy claimed he was unaware of the fraud and insisted he was simply delivering packages for a side job he had found online. He claimed the job promised him 85,000 rubles for completing ten delivery tasks, suggesting he may have been unknowingly involved in the scam operation.
The case has raised questions about Georgiy’s role in the crime, with some speculating he may have been an unwitting courier. If found guilty, he faces a sentence of up to six years in a strict regime prison. However, investigators are still determining whether he was actively complicit or simply caught up in the scheme.
Ekaterina Varnava, well-known for her comedic work, particularly on “Comedy Woman,” is facing public scrutiny due to her nephew’s involvement in the crime. The scandal adds to her recent struggles with personal issues and public discussions about weight and addiction. Though there is no direct connection between her career and Georgiy’s actions, the arrest has cast a shadow over her public image.
While the case highlights the ongoing issue of phone scams preying on vulnerable elderly individuals, it also raises awareness about the dangers young people face when unknowingly becoming involved in criminal activities. As the legal process unfolds, attention will also turn to Ekaterina Varnava’s response to the scandal and the eventual outcome of her nephew’s case.
