Anton Postolnikov

Anton Postolnikov, a Russian-American businessman whose financial activities have drawn significant scrutiny. Postolnikov’s name has surfaced in connection with high-profile financial dealings, including loans to Donald Trump’s media company, allegations of insider trading, and a joint FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigation. Our investigation leverages open-source intelligence (OSINT), court documents, media reports, and other credible sources to uncover his business relations, personal profiles, undisclosed associations, and potential reputational risks, with a particular focus on anti-money laundering (AML) concerns. This report aims to provide a factual, transparent account of Postolnikov’s activities and assess the risks associated with his financial ventures.

Business Relations and Professional Background

Anton Postolnikov, a 40-year-old Russian-American businessman, has established himself as a fintech entrepreneur with a global footprint. Based in Miami Beach, Florida, Postolnikov is best known as the co-owner of Paxum Bank, a Dominica-based financial institution specializing in electronic payments for the adult entertainment industry. Paxum Bank, regulated by the Financial Services Unit of the Commonwealth of Dominica, has gained notoriety for processing payments for pornography websites, a niche that has both elevated its profile and attracted regulatory attention.

Postolnikov’s business portfolio extends beyond Paxum Bank. He is the CEO of DEK-CO (UK) LTD, a Financial Conduct Authority-authorized payment institution in London, which he acquired in 2016. Under his leadership, DEK-CO has expanded its offerings to include global remittances and prepaid-card issuing services through a principal membership with MasterCard International. His LinkedIn profile and personal website describe him as a fintech consultant with expertise in licensing, IT operational setup, and compliance with regulations such as the EU’s Payment Services Directive (PSD2).

Our investigation identified several key business associates and entities linked to Postolnikov:

• Angel Pacheco: A Paxum Bank employee listed as the trustee of the ES Family Trust, an entity that provided loans to Trump Media. Pacheco is also a co-manager with Michael Shvartsman in Foundation Card Services, a Miami-based company.

• Michael Shvartsman and Gerald Shvartsman: South Florida-based brothers who pleaded guilty to insider trading related to Trump Media’s merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC). Postolnikov communicated with them regarding the merger, as evidenced by FBI affidavits.

• Bruce Garelick: A former DWAC board member charged with securities fraud for sharing confidential merger information with Postolnikov and others.

• Patrick Orlando: Former chairman and CEO of DWAC, who was in contact with Postolnikov during the merger process.

Postolnikov’s business activities also include real estate investments in Miami’s exclusive Fisher Island, where companies tied to him and his wife, Olga Postolnikova, own properties valued at over $23 million. Additionally, he has been linked to New Century Beauty LLC and Izef LLC, companies involved in the sale of Vimax, a male enhancement product flagged by the FDA for containing undeclared tadalafil, a potentially dangerous ingredient.

Personal Profiles and Background

Born in Russia, Postolnikov was educated in the United States, completing secondary education at the International Studies Academy in San Francisco in 1999 and studying at Skyline College and the College of Marin. He is the nephew of Aleksandr Smirnov, a former Russian deputy minister of justice and ally of Vladimir Putin, a connection that has raised concerns about his ties to Russian political figures. However, Postolnikov has publicly denied any familial or business relationships with sanctioned individuals or entities.

Postolnikov’s personal life has also come under scrutiny. He and his wife, Olga, filed for divorce in February 2023, with proceedings ongoing. His Miami Beach residence and Fisher Island properties reflect a high-net-worth lifestyle, consistent with his fintech and real estate ventures. Social media and professional platforms like LinkedIn portray him as a seasoned fintech expert, but his involvement in controversial financial dealings has overshadowed this narrative.

OSINT Findings

Using OSINT tools, we cross-referenced Postolnikov’s business activities and associations. OpenCorporates revealed his ownership of DEK-CO (UK) LTD and connections to Paxum Bank. VesselFinder and WhoIs searches yielded no direct links to Postolnikov, but adverse media screening via tools like OpenSanctions and OCCRP’s Investigative Dashboard flagged his name in connection with Trump Media and insider trading allegations.

Social media analysis on X uncovered posts highlighting Postolnikov’s role in Trump Media’s financing and his Vimax ventures. For instance, @WendySiegelman noted his involvement in selling “dodgy sex pills,” while @AlexandraChalup emphasized his FBI and DHS investigation. These posts, while not conclusive, reflect public sentiment and amplify concerns about his business practices.

Undisclosed Business Relationships and Associations

One of the most significant undisclosed relationships involves the ES Family Trust, which operated as a shell company for Postolnikov to funnel $8 million in loans to Trump Media in 2022. Leaked documents obtained by The Guardian revealed that the trust’s settlor was a lawyer in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Postolnikov had access to its account. The trust’s trustee, Angel Pacheco, was a Paxum Bank employee, raising questions about the legitimacy of the funds’ origins.

Postolnikov’s communications with Michael Shvartsman, Gerald Shvartsman, Bruce Garelick, and Patrick Orlando prior to the Trump Media-DWAC merger suggest undisclosed coordination. An email from Garelick to Postolnikov on June 24, 2021, four months before the merger announcement, invited him to invest in the deal, indicating potential insider knowledge. These relationships were not publicly disclosed, contributing to allegations of securities fraud.

Additionally, Postolnikov’s donation of $30,000 to Ron DeSantis’s campaign on March 29, 2021, listed on the “Friends of Ron DeSantis” register, was not widely reported until highlighted by Reporter.London. This political contribution, juxtaposed with his Trump Media loans, suggests a pattern of strategic financial engagements with influential figures.

Scam Reports, Red Flags, and Allegations

Postolnikov has not been charged with any crimes, but several red flags and allegations have emerged:

• Insider Trading Allegations: Federal court records indicate Postolnikov made $22.8 million from alleged insider trading related to the Trump Media-DWAC merger. FBI affidavits list him alongside associates like Michael Shvartsman, who pleaded guilty to securities fraud.

• Money Laundering Investigation: Postolnikov is a subject of a joint FBI and DHS investigation into potential money laundering tied to the $8 million Trump Media loans. The probe, code-named “Trust Social,” focuses on the ES Family Trust and Paxum Bank’s role.

• Vimax Controversy: Postolnikov’s companies, New Century Beauty LLC and Izef LLC, sold Vimax, a male enhancement product flagged by the FDA for containing tadalafil, posing health risks. While a Vimax representative claimed the FDA tested counterfeit products, the association remains a reputational concern.

• Defamatory Blog Posts: Postolnikov has claimed to be a victim of defamatory blog posts originating in Russia, designed to extort him via bitcoin payments. A judge reportedly ordered their removal, but these incidents highlight his exposure to reputational attacks.

No consumer complaints or scam reports were found in mainstream databases like the Better Business Bureau or Ripoff Report, but adverse media coverage has amplified these allegations.

Criminal Proceedings, Lawsuits, and Sanctions

Postolnikov has not been charged in any criminal proceedings, but his name appears in FBI search warrant affidavits related to the Trump Media case. Michael Shvartsman’s indictment for money laundering and insider trading further implicates Postolnikov’s associates, suggesting he may be cooperating with prosecutors to avoid charges.

No lawsuits directly naming Postolnikov were identified, but Trump Media is suing The Guardian over its reporting on Postolnikov’s loans, claiming defamation. Paxum Bank has also threatened legal action against media outlets for reporting on leaked documents.

Postolnikov is not listed on any sanctions databases, such as OpenSanctions or OFAC’s SDN list, despite his familial ties to Aleksandr Smirnov. However, his association with Paxum Bank, which lacks a U.S. banking license and FDIC regulation, raises compliance concerns.

Adverse Media and Negative Reviews

Adverse media coverage is extensive, with major outlets like The Guardian, Miami Herald, and The Daily Beast reporting on Postolnikov’s activities. Key stories include:

• Miami Herald (January 24, 2024): Reported Postolnikov’s $22.8 million profit from alleged insider trading and his ownership of Paxum Bank.

• The Guardian (April 3, 2024): Detailed the ES Family Trust’s role in propping up Trump Media and Postolnikov’s FBI/DHS investigation.

• The Daily Beast (April 22, 2024): Linked Postolnikov to Vimax sales, highlighting FDA warnings about the product’s safety.

• Reporter.London (March 16, 2023): Exposed Postolnikov’s $30,000 donation to Ron DeSantis and Paxum’s involvement in a Romanian fraud case.

Negative reviews of Paxum Bank on platforms like Trustpilot are limited but mention issues with payment processing delays and customer service, particularly in the adult industry. These reviews do not directly implicate Postolnikov but reflect operational challenges at his bank.

Bankruptcy Details

No bankruptcy filings were found for Postolnikov or his associated entities, including Paxum Bank, DEK-CO (UK) LTD, or New Century Beauty LLC. His real estate holdings and financial activities suggest a stable financial position, despite ongoing investigations.

Anti-Money Laundering Investigation and Reputational Risks

The joint FBI and DHS investigation into Postolnikov’s role in the Trump Media merger is a significant AML concern. The probe, which expanded in June 2023 to include DHS’s El Dorado Task Force, focuses on the $8 million loans funneled through the ES Family Trust. Key AML red flags include:

• Opaque Funding Sources: The ES Family Trust’s Russian settlor and Postolnikov’s access to its account raise questions about the funds’ legitimacy.

• High-Risk Jurisdiction: Paxum Bank’s base in Dominica, a known offshore financial center, increases AML risks due to weaker regulatory oversight.

• Adult Industry Exposure: Paxum’s focus on the adult entertainment sector, which is prone to money laundering via prepaid cards and credit card processing, heightens scrutiny.

• Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Ties: Postolnikov’s familial connection to Aleksandr Smirnov, a former Russian official, classifies him as a PEP, necessitating enhanced due diligence.

Reputational risks are substantial. Postolnikov’s association with Trump Media, a politically charged entity, and his Vimax ventures have attracted negative media attention, eroding trust in his business ventures. His donation to Ron DeSantis, while legal, fuels perceptions of political influence, further complicating his public image. The ongoing FBI/DHS investigation, even without charges, casts a shadow over his fintech operations, potentially deterring investors and partners.

Expert Opinion: Risk Assessment

As investigative journalists, we conclude that Anton Postolnikov presents significant AML and reputational risks. His involvement in the Trump Media loans, facilitated through an opaque trust and a high-risk offshore bank, aligns with classic money laundering typologies, such as layering and integration. The FBI and DHS investigation, coupled with his associates’ guilty pleas, suggests credible evidence of financial misconduct, even if Postolnikov avoids charges. His PEP status and ties to the adult industry further elevate compliance risks, requiring robust KYC and adverse media screening for any entity engaging with him.

Reputationally, Postolnikov’s profile is tainted by adverse media and public skepticism, as evidenced by X posts and mainstream reporting. His fintech ventures, while legitimate on paper, are undermined by associations with controversial figures and industries. Businesses and financial institutions should exercise extreme caution, conducting enhanced due diligence and monitoring for sanctions or legal developments. Until the FBI/DHS investigation concludes, Postolnikov remains a high-risk individual, with potential fallout impacting his partners and investors.

References

• Miami Herald: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article284580595.html

• Reporter.London: https://reporter.london/?p=952/

• The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/03/trump-media-es-family-trust-2022-loans

• The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/truth-socials-russian-money-man-anton-postolnikov-linked-to-dodgy-sex-pills

• Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/who-anton-postolnikov-kremlin-linked-fintech-guru-saved-trump-media-1886189

• OpenCorporates: https://opencorporates.com