Amanda Turgunova

Key Points

• Amanda Turgunova, legally named Uulkan Turgunova, is the wife of Raimbek Matraimov, a former deputy chief of Kyrgyzstan’s National Customs Service, known for his alleged involvement in a massive smuggling empire.

• Open-source investigations reveal an opulent lifestyle, including luxury properties in Dubai and Kyrgyzstan, which appears inconsistent with her husband’s modest official salary of approximately $1,000 per month.

• Social media posts by Turgunova and her former nanny, Teresita, have been used to uncover assets like a penthouse in Dubai’s Al Fattan Marine Towers and a cottage at the Karven Four Seasons resort, not declared in Matraimov’s income statements.

• Allegations center on money laundering and corruption, with Turgunova’s lavish lifestyle raising questions about the source of her family’s wealth.

• No direct legal actions or convictions are reported against Turgunova herself, but her association with Matraimov ties her to ongoing investigations into his illicit activities.

Overview

Amanda Turgunova is a Kyrgyz socialite and the spouse of Raimbek Matraimov, a prominent and controversial figure in Kyrgyzstan’s political and customs spheres. Known as “Amanda” on social media platforms like Instagram and Odnoklassniki, she has cultivated a public image of luxury, showcasing designer clothing (e.g., Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel), private jet travel, yacht outings, and stays at high-end hotels such as Le Royal Méridien and Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. Turgunova does not appear to hold a public professional role or operate a business, and her visibility stems primarily from her social media presence and her husband’s notoriety. Matraimov, often nicknamed “Raim Million,” was a key figure in Kyrgyzstan’s customs service until his dismissal and conviction on corruption charges, though he remains a powerful political operator.

Investigations by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Bellingcat, Radio Azattyk, and Kloop have used open-source intelligence, including Turgunova’s social media posts, to document the Matraimov family’s wealth and assets, which far exceed what Matraimov’s official salary could support. These findings suggest Turgunova plays a visible role in displaying the family’s wealth, though she is not directly implicated in criminal activities.

Allegations and Concerns

• Suspected Money Laundering and Corruption: Turgunova’s lifestyle, including ownership of a luxury penthouse in Dubai’s Al Fattan Marine Towers and a cottage at the Karven Four Seasons resort, raises suspicions of money laundering. These assets, uncovered through social media posts, were not declared in Matraimov’s official income statements, suggesting illicit funding from his smuggling empire.

• Undeclared Assets: The Dubai apartment, purchased around November 2016, and the Karven cottage, used between 2015 and 2019, are linked to the Matraimov family through photos posted by Turgunova and her nanny, Teresita. The mismatch between these assets and Matraimov’s $1,000 monthly salary points to potential corruption.

• Association with a Smuggling Empire: Matraimov is accused of running an underground cargo empire that funneled hundreds of millions of dollars out of Central Asia. Turgunova’s lavish spending is seen as evidence of the proceeds from these activities, though she is not directly named in smuggling allegations.

• Lack of Transparency: Turgunova’s social media accounts, while public, do not clarify the source of her wealth, and her legal name (Uulkan) is often obscured by her alias “Amanda,” complicating direct attribution.

Customer Feedback

As Turgunova is not a business or service provider, there are no consumer reviews or direct customer feedback available. However, public sentiment can be inferred from social media and investigative reports:

• Positive Sentiment: Turgunova’s social media posts project an aspirational image, with comments from friends like Cholpon Mederova praising her for providing “beautiful vacations” and showcasing luxury assets like a “whole parking lot” of bicycles. These suggest admiration among her social circle.

• Negative Sentiment: Investigative reports and public discourse in Kyrgyzstan, as reflected in media like Radio Azattyk, express outrage over the Matraimov family’s wealth, given the country’s economic challenges. A Twitter user in 2020 reported seeing Matraimov’s son driving an Aston Martin into the Karven resort, highlighting public scrutiny of their lavish lifestyle.

• Example Quote: From Teresita’s Facebook post (November 2016): “We’ve just bought it,” referring to the Dubai apartment, indicating pride in the purchase. Conversely, a Twitter user’s comment (2020): “Saw Bakai Matraimov driving an Aston Martin into Karven,” reflects public suspicion.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: The Matraimov family’s wealth is under scrutiny, and any assets tied to Turgunova could face seizure if linked to illicit funds. The lack of transparency about her income sources increases the risk of financial instability if investigations intensify.

• Reputational Risks: Turgunova’s public displays of wealth, juxtaposed with Kyrgyzstan’s economic struggles, make her a target for public and media criticism. Her association with Matraimov, a convicted figure, further damages her social standing.

• Legal Risks: While Turgunova is not directly charged, her proximity to Matraimov’s alleged crimes (e.g., smuggling, corruption) could lead to investigations into her assets or financial activities, especially in jurisdictions like Dubai with anti-money laundering regulations.

• Political Risks: Kyrgyzstan’s volatile political climate, with ongoing probes into Matraimov’s influence, could implicate Turgunova if authorities pursue broader family assets or connections.

Business Relations and Associations

• Raimbek Matraimov: Turgunova’s husband, a former deputy chief of Kyrgyzstan’s customs service, is the central figure in allegations of corruption and smuggling. His political influence and wealth are the primary drivers of the family’s lifestyle.

• Cholpon Mederova: A close friend frequently appearing in Turgunova’s social media posts, Mederova’s comments (e.g., “Thanks to Amanda for a beautiful vacation”) suggest she benefits from the Matraimovs’ wealth, though her role is unclear.

• Teresita: The family’s Filipina nanny, whose social media posts (e.g., the Dubai apartment tour) were instrumental in uncovering undeclared assets. She refers to Turgunova as “boss” and “amu,” indicating a close working relationship.

• Zamirbek Karashev: Matraimov’s former underling and successor in the customs service, whose family reportedly vacationed with the Matraimovs in Thailand, suggesting a network of loyal associates.

• No Business Entities: Turgunova is not linked to any formal businesses, and her activities appear centered on personal lifestyle rather than professional ventures.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• No Direct Lawsuits or Convictions: Turgunova has not been named in lawsuits or criminal charges, unlike Matraimov, who was convicted on corruption charges and fined (though he reportedly paid less than half the promised amount).

• Undeclared Assets: The Dubai penthouse and Karven cottage, valued far beyond Matraimov’s official income, are potential targets for legal action under Kyrgyzstan’s anti-corruption laws or international anti-money laundering frameworks.

• No Bankruptcy or Debt Records: There are no public records indicating personal bankruptcy or unpaid debts for Turgunova, but the family’s wealth is suspected to be ill-gotten, posing indirect financial risks.

• Ongoing Investigations: Kyrgyzstan’s security services have stated that investigations into Matraimov continue, which could extend to family assets, including those linked to Turgunova.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Amanda Turgunova’s public profile, marked by ostentatious displays of wealth, contrasts sharply with her husband’s modest official income, raising red flags about the legitimacy of her family’s finances. The strength of the case against her lies in open-source evidence—social media posts by Turgunova and Teresita have meticulously documented assets like the Dubai penthouse and Karven cottage, which are difficult to explain without illicit funds. Investigative outlets like OCCRP and Bellingcat have leveraged this transparency to expose the Matraimovs’ wealth, making Turgunova a visible symbol of corruption in Kyrgyzstan.

Pros:

• Turgunova’s social media presence provides a clear trail for investigators, potentially aiding anti-corruption efforts.

• Her lack of direct involvement in Matraimov’s operations may shield her from immediate legal consequences.

Cons:

• Her association with Matraimov ties her to serious allegations of smuggling and money laundering, with no clear defense for the source of her wealth.

• The public nature of her lifestyle amplifies reputational damage and scrutiny.

Cautionary Advice: Individuals or entities considering any association with Turgunova should exercise extreme caution. Her family’s wealth is likely tied to illicit activities, and assets linked to her could be subject to seizure or investigation. Engaging with her socially or financially carries significant reputational and legal risks, particularly in jurisdictions with robust anti-money laundering laws like the UAE. For the public, Turgunova’s case underscores the importance of transparency in wealth sources, especially for families of public officials.

Key Citations

• Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), “The ‘Beautiful’ Life of a Kyrgyz Customs Official,” December 14, 2020.

• Bellingcat, “A Kyrgyz Custom Official’s Luxury Getaways,” December 18, 2020.

• Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, “The Matraimovs’ Dubai Apartment,” December 14, 2020.

• Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, “The Matraimovs’ Karven Cottage,” December 14, 2020.