Portuguese authorities have confirmed an investigation into the woman suspected of laundering money for Vladimir Okhotnikov.

Vladimir “Lado” Okhotnikov (right) defrauded consumers out of $340 million through numerous MLM crypto Ponzis, the latest of which is Meta Whale.

Okhotnikov was indicted in 2023 and remains a fugitive wanted by US authorities. After receiving a ten-year prison sentence for fraud in Georgia, Okhotnikov fled to Dubai in 2024.

Elvira Gavrilova (right) is from Ukraine and resides in Portugal. Through her company Elledgy Media, Gavrilova is suspected of laundering millions for Okhotnikov.

As reported by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists on January 5th;

An elite unit of Portugal’s Public Prosecutor’s Office is taking over a money laundering probe into Elvira Gavrilova Paterson.

The Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action, which handles complex crimes, will assume control of the criminal inquiry launched last year after two Portuguese banks flagged unusual financial movements in Gavrilova’s accounts, including a cash deposit of about $312,000, according to ICIJ partner Expresso.

Elledgy Media is behind promo events for Okhotnikov’s MLM crypto Ponzis. Elledgy Media is also producing Okhotnikov’s film aspirations, currently being pushed as the Holiguards Saga.

The first installment of the Holiguards Saga, “The Portal of Force”, was supposed to premier in Portugal last month. ICIJ notes the premier was “cancelled without explanation”.

While Gavrilova is facing increased scrutiny in Portugal, Meta Whale has attracted the attention of authorities in multiple jurisdictions;

Despite the increased Meta Whale regulatory attention and new Portuguese investigation, authorities in Dubai continue to shelter Okhotnikov.