Blogger and businessman Ayaz Shabutdinov, 34, has been sentenced to seven years in a general regime penal colony after being found guilty of fraud. The Presnensky District Court of Moscow delivered the verdict, marking the end of a nearly two-year-long case involving allegations of fraudulent sales of educational courses.

Shabutdinov, known for his success stories and business advice shared on social media platforms like VKontakte and Telegram, was accused of selling courses that falsely promised to help individuals launch successful businesses. The investigation involved at least 80 victims, with charges including 113 counts of fraud committed by an organized group on a particularly large scale.

The case also implicated Vasily Alekseev, the head of Shabutdinov’s Like Center, who has reportedly fled Russia and is currently wanted. During his final statement, Shabutdinov apologized and admitted guilt, stating that he had compensated the victims willing to accept it and that his initial intentions to help people were sincere.

Once considered a promising figure in the business world, Shabutdinov began his entrepreneurial journey with ventures such as a lemonade production company and a hostel business that rapidly expanded through franchising. He later founded a network of schools for entrepreneurs, which became one of Russia’s largest EdTech projects. In 2022, Like Center LLC reported revenue of 991.3 million rubles and a profit exceeding 737 million rubles.

Shabutdinov acknowledged that he had been living in a world where money came first, emphasizing unlimited consumption and personal gratification. Despite receiving awards and recognition from regional governors and having satisfied students, his business practices ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment.