“Took the money and ran”: how Odesa car dealer Volodymyr Filippov left for Moldova and continued the business through Iron Motors

04 May 2026 , 20:24

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“Took the money and ran”: how Odesa car dealer Volodymyr Filippov left for Moldova and continued the business through Iron Motors

Volodymyr Filippov, the owner of the Odesa-based company Pivdennyi Shlyakh (Autorider), has reportedly fled Ukraine and is believed to be hiding in Moldova as he faces an ongoing criminal fraud investigation.

Authorities have opened proceedings under Part 3 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, alleging that he misappropriated funds from buyers amounting to $9,140 and 132,500 hryvnias.

Despite dozens of lawsuits from deceived clients, Filippov continues to avoid responsibility. Instead of complying with Ukrainian court decisions, he registered a new company in Moldova in April 2025—"IRON MOTORS", similar in name to one of his Ukrainian firms.

Courts in various regions of Ukraine have already ruled in favor of the victims. For instance, the Kyiv District Court of Odesa in 2023 issued a default judgment to recover over 40 thousand UAH from PE "Pivdennyi Shlyakh", including compensation for moral damage and legal fees. The company failed to fulfill the terms of the contract for the selection and delivery of cars from the USA.

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A similar decision was made by the Zinkiv District Court of the Poltava region, obliging the company to return 33 thousand UAH for non-fulfillment of the contract and legal assistance.

Currently, Filippov, along with Serhiy and Nataliya Filippova, continues to ignore obligations to Ukrainian consumers and evades compensations awarded by the courts.

Grace Cooper

Lifestyle & Culture Editor