Irina Sidorenko, a Siberian woman, has been sentenced to a settlement colony for fraud related to her involvement with the “Siberian Health Center,” a clinic accused of deceiving elderly clients. The organization was shut down five years ago, but the sentencing of Irina and six other former employees only occurred in April of this year. Irina maintains her innocence, claiming she briefly worked at the center and simply followed management’s instructions.

The “Siberian Health Center” operated from 2019 to 2020, allegedly defrauding approximately one hundred people, primarily pensioners, and causing an estimated 10 million rubles in damages. The clinic allegedly used fitness equipment for diagnostic purposes, misleading patients into believing they were seriously ill and in need of expensive treatment.

The clinic’s scheme involved offering free consultations, after which patients were informed of severe health issues requiring immediate treatment. These treatments often cost upwards of 70,000 rubles, with the center encouraging patients to take out loans to cover the expenses.

Investigations revealed that the center’s management trained employees in psychological techniques to build trust with clients and maximize profits. Employees were provided with detailed scripts and instructions on how to manipulate potential customers, including creating a false sense of urgency and scarcity. The center primarily targeted individuals under 72 years of age, likely to secure loans.

Irina Sidorenko worked at the center for a short period, selling services to clients. She claims that the fraudulent diagnostic practices began after a change in management. Irina asserts that she was simply following orders and was unaware of the fraudulent nature of the scheme. She quit after receiving complaints from clients.

Despite her claims of innocence, Irina was implicated in the fraud case a year after the initial investigation when former clients filed complaints against her. She believes she is being made a scapegoat and that the true beneficiaries of the fraudulent scheme remain hidden. Irina has appealed the verdict, arguing that she received minimal compensation for her work and that clients did not specifically complain about her actions.