The Ayaz Shabutdinov and Like Center Case: What's Known

On November 3, TASS, citing law enforcement agencies, reported the arrest of Ayaz Shabutdinov. Ayaz is a well-known blogger, business coach, and founder of the Like Center, which offers courses for entrepreneurs. This organization is among the top 10 largest EdTech companies by revenue, and held the first place in the fourth quarter of 2020. Like Center currently ranks eighth in this ranking. Skillbox Media previously covered Shabutdinov's path to success. Training at Like Center is offered in a blended format, combining in-person classes with access to a knowledge library on the Center's platform. Vasily Alekseev, director of the Like Center, spoke about this in an interview with Smart Ranking.

What happened to Ayaz Shabutdinov

The founder of the Like Center was detained in Moscow on suspicion of fraud, according to information provided by the news agency. The detention is related to educational courses in which students are promised training in ways to earn money.

On November 7, the Tagansky Court of Moscow ordered Shabutdinov's arrest until December 16. He is accused of large-scale fraud and eight crimes under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code. He could face up to ten years in prison for this crime. The blogger does not admit his guilt, and his defense has already filed an appeal against the decision to arrest him.

The total damage caused to the victims by the actions of the business coach amounted to 4 million rubles. The lawyer argued that the chosen preventive measure was excessive and petitioned for the blogger's release on bail of 4 million rubles or house arrest. He also emphasized that Shabutdinov paid 40 million rubles in taxes over the previous year.

According to information provided by the Moscow Prosecutor's Office, the blogger has foreign citizenship and valid visas. This creates the risk of him possibly hiding abroad while at large. It has also been reported that Vasily Alekseyev, CEO of the Like Center, has been placed on the wanted list. These circumstances underscore the importance of monitoring individuals who may pose a threat to public safety.

On November 22, the Moscow City Court upheld Shabutdinov's arrest, according to information published in the Parliamentary Gazette. This decision was a significant development in judicial practice and attracted public attention. The arrest continues to generate discussion among experts and may impact future legal proceedings.

Why claims were brought against Shabutdinov

According to Kommersant, the charges were brought based on statements from eight entrepreneurs who collectively spent 5 million rubles on the courses. According to investigators, the proposed business development methodology boiled down to a simple call to "believe in yourself - and everything will work out." Investigators claim that Shabutdinov misled students by passing off his personal business success story as educational services. The legal service DestraLegal informed VC.ru that it received an appeal from former students of the "Like Center." As a result, 62 people filed a class action lawsuit for 11 million rubles.

Ayaz Shabutdinov's official Telegram channel reports that the team continues to operate as usual. The company is licensed and accredited in the field of information technology. Currently, over 20,000 people are enrolled in the center's programs. The director of the Like Center also noted that until this year, the organization held Skolkovo resident status but decided to relinquish it due to the anticipated revenue limits being exceeded. This decision underlines the company's commitment to sustainable development and compliance with all necessary standards in the field of education.

Photo: official page of "Like Center" on VKontakte

This channel reports that the reason for the current situation was a statement A client who expressed dissatisfaction with the refund terms set out in the contract.

What a former student of the "Like Center" said

According to the Izvestia publication, Natalya Kalistratova, who filed a complaint against Shabutdinov, purchased a premium course for 1 million rubles. The cost of the training subsequently increased. She claims that her expenses amounted to 1.9 million rubles due to brokers, but did not specify the details of this process. Shabutdinov's channel also indicated the amount of Kalistratova's claims - 1.9 million rubles. It is emphasized that the company has fully fulfilled its obligations to clients.

Natalia Kalistratova informed the publication that she had filed a civil lawsuit. She hopes that the decision to initiate criminal proceedings will facilitate the return of her funds. Natalia also noted that she is not the only victim of fraudulent actions by the "Like Center."

Skillbox Media contacted Natalia Kalistratova to clarify the reasons for her complaints against the "Like Center." She was asked to clarify whether her concerns were related to the program payment method, the quality of the training, or both. However, Natalia did not respond to this question. She merely noted that she paid for the program in 2019 and became dissatisfied three to four months after the start of the program.

Nevertheless, Natalia continued the course and only began seeking a refund after completing the program. She actively completed her homework and participated in events held abroad as part of the program. Moreover, when the organizers directly asked her about her impressions, Natalia confidently stated that everything was fine. Natalia shared her experience researching people who had filed complaints. She noticed that many of them mentioned being denied refunds. Realizing that she, too, would likely be denied, Natalia decided not to waste time filing a complaint. Instead, she began gathering information while in the process, which helped her better understand the situation. She noted that she often receives questions about the reasons for her complaints against Ayaz Shabutdinov, despite previously laudatory posts on social media. According to her, such publications were part of her homework, which she completed to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to the situation. In response to a question about the reasons why the case only became relevant now, and not in 2019-2020, Natalia noted that such proceedings require significant time. She explained that two years had passed since she filed the police complaint before she was invited to open a case. She was subsequently joined by seven more entrepreneurs who also expressed their grievances against Like Center.

According to information provided by Izvestia, on November 22, after a hearing in the Moscow City Court, Natalya Kalistratova held a joint interview with Andrey Kovalev. Kovalev had previously brought fraud charges against Ayaz Shabutdinov, which the blogger consistently denied. The conflict between them inspired the creation of a separate website dedicated to this topic.

On November 27, an interview with Vasily Alekseev, CEO of Like Center, was released on YouTube. He gave it to Daria Ryzhkova, founder of the Smart Ranking agency. During the conversation, Vasily shared important information about his company's legal victories, noting that Like Center had won two cases against Natalya Kalistratova. This information underscores the company's active legal stance and its commitment to protecting its interests in the market.

On the same day, NTV reported that statements from victims of Ayaz Shabutdinov's actions were being collected across the country. This process is led by Andrey Kovalev, who is also organizing public meetings to discuss the situation.

On December 6, the Moscow Prosecutor's Office announced the seizure of 28 bank accounts in connection with the Shabutdinov case.

On December 12, Izvestia reported that Moscow's Tagansky Court had extended the blogger's arrest for two months, until February 16, 2024. According to the information, he is accused of seven more counts of fraud, bringing the total to 15 charges. The blogger could face up to ten years in prison.

On January 17, Izvestia reported the emergence of 12 new counts in the Shabutdinov case. This new information could significantly impact the course of the investigation and its further development. The escalating situation in this case is attracting the attention of the public and legal experts. Details of the new incidents have not yet been disclosed, but they may add new facts and circumstances that will be considered by the investigative authorities.

On February 13, the court decided to extend the blogger's arrest by two months, now running until April 16, 2024. This measure was the result of the case's consideration and is aimed at ensuring the judicial process. The extension of the arrest is of public interest and raises questions about freedom of speech and the right to express opinions in the current environment.

On April 11, it was reported that the number of incidents in the Shabutdinov case had increased to 73. In connection with this, the suspect's arrest was extended until June 16. These events are attracting public attention and highlight the importance of investigating criminal cases.

On June 11, it was announced that the blogger's arrest had been extended until August 16. Five more criminal cases have also been initiated against him. This situation has attracted public attention and sparked discussions about freedom of speech and the right to express opinions online.

How the public has responded

Natalya Kalistratova shared that people have contacted her on social media seeking to return funds they paid to the Like Center. They are asking her for help in resolving their situation.

There has been active support on social media from entrepreneurs, bloggers, and Like Center students who are posting messages with the hashtag #АязМиСТбой. These posts can be found, for example, on the VKontakte platform. Such initiatives demonstrate community unity and solidarity and emphasize the importance of supporting each other in difficult times.

Photo: official page of "Like Center" on VKontakte

Shabutdinov's Telegram channel reports that large entrepreneurs have issued a petition in defense of the blogger. A petition has also been created on Change.org demanding the criminal case against the blogger be dropped. To date, the petition has been signed by over 4,700 people.

According to Kommersant, Boris Titov, the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights, expressed support for Shabutdinov. He noted that the court's arrest was excessive. Titov also pointed out several "pain points" in this case, particularly the criminalization of relations within service contracts. In a comment to Business FM, he emphasized: "From a legal perspective, it is clear that proceedings are taking place in civil and arbitration courts. When the plaintiffs' position proves weak, they begin to turn to investigative bodies and initiate criminal cases. We have always advocated that economic disputes be resolved through civil proceedings." This case highlights the importance of upholding the rights of entrepreneurs and the need to effectively resolve economic conflicts within the legal framework.

Titov noted the importance of Ayaz Shabutdinov's educational project, which represents a key institution in the corporate environment. He emphasized that Ayaz's training includes economic education, accounting, and the development of team spirit, which is an integral part of business education. If anyone has complaints about the quality of training or shortcomings, such issues should be resolved through the civil courts, the Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights added.

The business coach was supported by Ksenia Sobchak, who expressed the opinion on her Telegram channel that the chosen preventive measure is excessively harsh for the alleged offense. She described the hype surrounding the blogger's arrest as "dancing on the bones," noting that the case is under investigation and a verdict has not yet been rendered.

Representatives of the EdTech sector appear to be adopting a wait-and-see approach. On November 8, an online meeting, organized by founder Daria Ryzhkova and representatives of EdTech companies, took place on the Smart Ranking agency's Telegram channel. During the broadcast, the business results for the third quarter of 2023, as well as the situation surrounding the "Like Center," were discussed. Participants noted that this is only the beginning of the process, and it is difficult to predict its further development.

Serial tech entrepreneur Maxim Spiridonov, founder of the Reforma business club and co-founder of Netology Group, shared his opinion on his personal Telegram channel. He views the Ayaz Shabutdinov case as a significant stage in the development of the infobusiness. Spiridonov questions whether the arrest of the head of the "Like Center" will be the culmination of government action against the infobusiness problem, or whether it is just the beginning, with arrests of other major players in this sector to follow. This opinion highlights current trends and uncertainties in the infobusiness sector, which are important to consider when analyzing the situation.

Maksim Spiridonov analyzes the causes of the current situation, drawing parallels between control over online education and internet regulation. Initially, the lack of legislative regulation of the internet was the norm, but over time, the situation has changed dramatically. Authorities began to develop an attitude toward the infobusiness and recognize the need for its control and regulation only as information accumulated. This process demonstrates how societal and technological changes can influence legislative initiatives in education and business.

The author of the post makes an important conclusion: by criticizing the most prominent infobusinessmen, the state emphasizes the need to pay taxes in full, fulfill obligations to clients, and maintain adequate quality of educational services. In this regard, infobusinesses will need to increase the level of financial responsibility and implement self-censorship in their products and marketing strategies to avoid misleading customers.

Maksim Spiridonov Photo: personal archive of Maxim Spiridonov

Maxim Spiridonov emphasizes that comprehensive protection of customer rights exists primarily in established business segments. In new areas, however, it takes time to develop appropriate approaches. The younger the industry, the more risks the consumer assumes, and, accordingly, the seller's moral responsibility to explain all the nuances of their product increases. Nevertheless, regulation in these new areas is inevitable. It occurs when a sufficient number of observations, consumer complaints, media events, lawsuits, and public reaction to them accumulate. Importantly, effective regulation promotes trust in new business segments and protects consumer interests.

According to Spiridonov, the infobusiness is currently undergoing an evolutionary process. He believes this process will continue for another two to three years, after which the market will become more stable. Interestingly, the expert made such predictions more than a year ago, which underscores his deep understanding of trends in this area.

What is being done to regulate online education?

Discussion of the need to develop quality standards for online courses at the state level began in late 2021. These discussions were initiated by Alexander Khinshtein, head of the Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications. Subsequently, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Boris Chernyshov proposed introducing a licensing system for business training and personal development courses. He noted that the market is often plagued by scammers offering ineffective services that can not only fail to provide benefit but also cause harm to participants in such programs. Creating clear quality requirements for online courses could be an important step in protecting consumers from unscrupulous practitioners and raising the level of education in this area.

In February 2022, the State Duma held a meeting dedicated to the issues of continuing professional education in a digital format. Participants discussed the possibility of developing standards for providing educational services online, as well as the creation of a registry of online fraudsters. With online education becoming increasingly popular, it is crucial to ensure its quality and protect consumers from unscrupulous practitioners. Creating clear standards and registries can help increase trust in online education and improve its accessibility for everyone.

In the spring of 2023, a bill was introduced to regulate business training and personal growth courses. This document includes amendments to the article of the Federal Law "On Education in the Russian Federation" establishing general requirements for educational activities. The amendments affect both individuals and legal entities, as well as sole proprietors engaged in educational activities in so-called "risk areas." The State Duma has not yet begun consideration of this bill.

Recently, deputies from the New People faction, including Alexei Nechayev, submitted a bill to the State Duma that amends the Law "On the Protection of Consumer Rights." The main goal of this bill is to ensure citizens' right to a refund for various educational courses and trainings if the quality of the services provided is deemed inadequate. According to the authors' plan, the government should determine which educational or informational and consulting services can be considered poor quality. The explanatory note to the bill specifies possible criteria for poor quality. This innovation is aimed at protecting consumer rights and improving the quality of educational services, which, in turn, can increase public confidence in various courses and trainings.

discrepancy between the knowledge gained and the promised result;
a large number of complaints and lawsuits from consumers of services against a specific organization.

On November 5, Alexey Nechayev commented on the situation surrounding Shabutdinov on his Telegram channel. He noted that the online education market requires streamlining. In this regard, a roundtable discussion on regulating this sector is planned for late November in the State Duma.

On November 27, a working meeting on regulating business education was held in the State Duma, organized by deputies from the New People faction. Key issues were discussed during the meeting, including recognizing the activities of infobloggers as a separate type of economic activity. Taxation, the quality of content created, and the potential for self-regulation in this sector were also considered. These topics are important for establishing a legal framework and improving the conditions for the development of business education in Russia.

Business regulation should not be aimed at introducing additional prohibitions, but rather at creating an effective system developed by specialists who understand market mechanisms. Streamlining taxation, standardizing courses, and implementing ethical standards will benefit those who conduct their activities in good faith. Currently, the focus is on high-profile cases of fraud and tax evasion, distracting from the need to create a fair and transparent environment for honest business.

This article will be updated as new information on this case becomes available. We strive to provide up-to-date data and details so that readers can stay informed about all changes and innovations. Stay tuned for updates to stay informed about important developments and facts related to this case.