Irina Sidorenko, a Siberian woman, has been sentenced to a penal colony for fraud related to her involvement with the now-defunct “Siberian Health Center,” a clinic accused of deceiving elderly clients into believing they were seriously ill. The clinic, which was shut down five years ago, employed manipulative tactics and questionable diagnostic methods, including the use of fitness equipment, to convince patients to undergo expensive and unnecessary treatments.

Sidorenko maintains her innocence, claiming she was simply following management instructions during her brief employment at the center. She is one of seven former employees who were charged in connection with the fraudulent scheme.

The “Siberian Health Center” operated from 2019 to 2020, allegedly defrauding approximately one hundred people, primarily pensioners. The investigation estimates the damages caused by the center at 10 million rubles. The clinic attracted clients by offering free consultations, which quickly turned into recommendations for costly treatment courses, often financed through loans taken out on the spot.

The center’s management allegedly trained employees in psychological techniques to build trust with clients and maximize profits. These techniques included specific phrases and methods for handling objections and pressuring potential clients into accepting treatment. The center also targeted individuals under 72 years of age, likely to ensure they could qualify for loans.

One patient, Elena, a pensioner from Novosibirsk, was diagnosed with a “slagged lymphatic system” using sensors connected to her limbs. She was initially quoted a treatment cost of 300,000 rubles, which was later reduced to 73,000 rubles after she hesitated. Although Elena was able to terminate the contract and get her money back, Sidorenko, who served her, was later implicated in the fraud.

Sidorenko claims she was unaware of the fraudulent schemes and only followed job descriptions. She stated that the diagnostic methods were introduced by new managers from Sochi after she had been working at the center for a month. She quit in December 2019 due to growing complaints from patients but returned briefly in 2020 before the clinic was raided by law enforcement.