What began as allegations circulating in international financial circles concerning an “Astor”-branded lending operation has now escalated into a criminal prosecution in the United States.
In a significant development, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has indicted Vladimir Sklarov — also known as “Val Sklarov”, “Gregory Mitchell” and “Mark Simon Bentley” — on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The indictment alleges that Sklarov and associates operated an international scheme centred on purported stock-backed loans involving approximately $450 million in company shares.
View the indictment:
https://www.eureporter.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/USA-v.-Vladimir-Sklarov-Indictment.pdf – Credit Offshore Alert –
EU Reporter was among the first international media outlets to report on allegations surrounding Sklarov and Astor Asset Group, months before US federal prosecutors unsealed the indictment.
Early reporting
In October 2025, EU Reporter published a detailed report examining allegations connected to Astor Asset Group, disputed stock-collateral arrangements, and questions surrounding the use of prestigious family branding linked to the Astor name.
At the time, the allegations were largely confined to civil litigation, private financial investigations, and emerging reports from Greece and other jurisdictions.
EU Reporter subsequently published further investigative reporting examining allegations concerning the use of aliases, alleged misrepresentations to investors and borrowers, and the increasingly international nature of the investigations.
Many of the allegations previously reported by EU Reporter are now reflected in the US federal indictment.
The indictment
According to the indictment filed in the Southern District of New York, prosecutors allege that from approximately 2021 through 2024, Sklarov operated an entity known as Astor Asset Group, presenting it as an experienced stock-backed lender associated with the prominent Astor family. Prosecutors allege that no such affiliation existed.
Federal prosecutors further allege that:
- Astor falsely represented itself as backed by historic Astor-family wealth;
- Sklarov operated under the alias “Gregory Mitchell”;
- another alleged co-conspirator used the name “Thomas Mellon”;
- victims were induced to transfer substantial quantities of company shares as collateral for loans;
- And those shares were subsequently liquidated.
The indictment alleges that the victim in the case transferred shares worth approximately $450 million during the course of the lending relationship.
Prosecutors allege that instead of safeguarding the shares as collateral, the defendants sold them, transferred proceeds through multiple accounts, and used some proceeds from the victim’s own shares to partially fund loan tranches.
Alleged representations to investors
One of the central allegations in the indictment is that the victim and their representatives were repeatedly informed that the shares remained secure with custodians, even after prosecutors allege most had already been liquidated.
The indictment describes meetings in Manhattan during which alleged Astor representatives continued discussing custodial arrangements without disclosing that the shares had allegedly already been sold.
Federal prosecutors also allege that unsigned notices later claimed the borrower had defaulted, despite the alleged victim having complied with the terms of the loan agreement.
International dimensions
The indictment describes an alleged operation spanning multiple jurisdictions, custodial arrangements, financial institutions, and electronic communications across borders.
US prosecutors allege that proceeds connected to the scheme were routed through multiple accounts controlled by alleged co-conspirators and family members in order to conceal the origin and ownership of funds.
The case is likely to attract international attention because of the growing use of private stock-backed lending arrangements among high-net-worth individuals and family offices seeking liquidity without public share sales.
The allegations also raise broader questions concerning the following:
- due diligence in private lending markets,
- identity verification in cross-border finance,
- custodial oversight,
- and the use of prestigious family branding in international financial transactions.
A significant escalation
Until now, much of the Sklarov matter had existed within the sphere of civil litigation, investigative reporting, and private financial disputes.
The US federal indictment materially changes the legal landscape.
The Southern District of New York is widely regarded as one of the most prominent federal prosecutorial offices in the United States for cases involving international financial crime.
The indictment also includes forfeiture allegations indicating that prosecutors may seek recovery of assets alleged to be connected to the scheme.
Right of reply
EU Reporter has contacted representatives of Vladimir Sklarov for comment.
No response had been received at the time of publication.
Presumption of innocence
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations brought by US prosecutors.
Vladimir Sklarov is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
No trial date has yet been publicly announced.
With thanks to Offshore Alert
