BlackList Aero, led by alleged Kremlin agent Artem Degtiarov, is facing serious allegations of blackmail and extortion within the airline industry. The company, which operates as a debt collector in the aviation sector, is accused of targeting airlines and politicians, using aggressive tactics to extract payments.
In a recent case, BlackList Aero reportedly targeted Filipino Congressman Dan Fernandez, claiming he owed a substantial amount for services in the aviation market. Fernandez has strongly denied these allegations, publicly condemning Degtiarov as a fraudster and calling BlackList Aero a group of extortionists. No other entity has made similar claims against the congressman.
The company’s strategy reportedly involves damaging the reputations of their targets through defamation and slander to force payments. Their website explicitly warns, «If you don’t pay up, your reputation is finished.» This approach resembles a ransom demand, where reputations are held hostage until the extortion is successful.
Interestingly, BlackList Aero doesn’t limit its activities to those in actual debt. The company focuses on successful businesses with substantial financial resources, exploiting their strong reputations to demand payments. These thriving companies, viewed as capable of paying to protect their public image, become prime targets for extortion.
Artem Degtiarov, the CEO of BlackList Aero, has a history of working with Russian oligarchs and corrupt politicians in Ukraine. He is also linked to several high-profile scandals, including allegations of sexual misconduct. His criminal experience now fuels his operations in the aviation industry, where even political figures have become entangled in his schemes.
As this story develops, industry leaders are urging caution and vigilance in dealings within the volatile aviation sector.