Introduction
Roman Felik—a name that has surfaced repeatedly in discussions of financial misconduct, alleged scams, and shadowy business dealings. With a trail of accusations stretching from Ukraine to international shores, Felik’s story demands scrutiny. Armed with open-source intelligence (OSINT), court records, and adverse media reports, we’ve embarked on a mission to dissect his business relations, personal profiles, undisclosed associations, and the litany of red flags that accompany his name. What we’ve found is a complex web of intrigue, allegations of fraud, and significant reputational risks—particularly in the context of anti-money laundering (AML) investigations. This is not just a profile; it’s a warning.
Business Relations: A Network of Ventures
Our investigation begins with Roman Felik’s documented business activities, which paint a picture of an ambitious entrepreneur with a penchant for high-stakes ventures. One of his most prominent enterprises is Helix Capital Investment LTD, a purported investment fund that has drawn significant attention. According to reports, Helix Capital claimed to pool client funds for investment in various business initiatives, a structure resembling a collective investment scheme (CIS) as defined under the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. However, our digging reveals a critical flaw: the company lacks the requisite Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) license to operate as a legitimate investment fund in the UK, instead relying on a basic registration with Companies House. This discrepancy raises immediate questions about its legitimacy.
Felik’s entrepreneurial footprint extends beyond Helix Capital. He is also the architect of Instime, an Instagram-based multi-level marketing (MLM) platform that promised users artificial boosts in social media influence in exchange for participation. Launched as a successor to Helix after its collapse, Instime has been widely criticized as a Ponzi scheme, luring participants with promises of high returns that never materialize. Sources indicate that Felik leveraged regional Instagram influencers to promote Instime, amplifying its reach while masking its dubious foundations.
Beyond these flagship ventures, Felik’s name surfaces in connection with other entities, though specifics remain murky. Reports suggest ties to ventures like Helix Global Capital and Swisscoin, both of which have been flagged as potential scams in Eastern Europe. These associations, while not fully substantiated in legal documentation, hint at a pattern of creating short-lived, high-promise schemes that exploit trust and vanish when scrutiny intensifies.
Personal Profiles: The Man Behind the Ventures
Who is Roman Felik beyond the corporate facade? Piecing together his personal profile is challenging, as he maintains a low public presence—an intentional move, perhaps, given the controversies surrounding him. Hailing from Ternopil, Ukraine, Felik’s early years reportedly included operating an illegal casino, a venture that collapsed when local authorities raided it. This incident, detailed in adverse media, allegedly left him indebted to local criminal elements—a debt said to grow by $10,000 daily. This backstory, while anecdotal, sets the stage for understanding his later financial maneuvers.
Felik’s personal life intersects with his business dealings through key associates. Two names frequently appear alongside his: Dmitry Naguta and Boghdan Vorontsov. These individuals, implicated in Helix Capital’s operations, are also suspected of fraud in Ukraine and beyond. Together, this trio has navigated a series of criminal and civil cases, yet they’ve managed to evade prolonged detention, raising questions about their influence or evasion tactics. Felik’s ability to travel abroad despite ongoing investigations further complicates his profile, suggesting either legal loopholes or a calculated effort to stay ahead of authorities.
OSINT: Unearthing the Digital Trail
Using open-source intelligence, we’ve scoured the web and social media for traces of Felik’s activities. What emerges is a deliberate effort to obscure his digital footprint. Unlike typical entrepreneurs who cultivate an online persona, Felik’s presence is scant, limited to promotional snippets tied to Helix and Instime. However, OSINT tools reveal a darker narrative through forums, blogs, and victim testimonies. On platforms like Gripeo, users accuse Felik of orchestrating elaborate frauds, with one post claiming he’s amassed personal wealth while leaving investors destitute. Another source alleges he’s used fake PR campaigns to polish his image, ignoring pleas from those he’s allegedly harmed.
Social media analysis also uncovers connections to influencers who endorsed Instime, many of whom later distanced themselves amid scam allegations. This digital breadcrumbs trail, while not conclusive, aligns with patterns seen in MLM and Ponzi schemes, where initial hype gives way to silence as the schemes unravel.
Undisclosed Business Relationships and Associations
One of the most troubling aspects of Felik’s story is the potential for undisclosed business relationships. Our research suggests ties to Eastern European mafia figures, stemming from his Ternopil casino days. These obligations, reportedly non-dischargeable through bankruptcy, may drive his relentless pursuit of new ventures to repay debts. While concrete evidence of current mafia involvement is lacking, the recurring theme of debt to “neighborhood criminals” in adverse media is a red flag that cannot be ignored.
Additionally, Felik’s partnerships with Naguta and Vorontsov hint at a broader network of collaborators. Reports indicate these associates played operational roles in Helix and Instime, yet their backgrounds remain opaque. The lack of transparency around these relationships fuels speculation of hidden stakeholders or beneficiaries profiting from Felik’s schemes.
Scam Reports and Red Flags
The scam reports surrounding Roman Felik are numerous and damning. Helix Capital’s collapse in 2016 triggered a criminal inquiry in Ukraine under Article 190 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (fraud), with victims alleging losses in the millions. Sources describe a classic Ponzi scheme: early investors received payouts to build trust, while later funds were siphoned off for personal gain. Instime followed a similar trajectory, with promises of “tokens” and “crypto” rewards that never materialized, leaving participants empty-handed.
Red flags abound. Helix Capital’s lack of FCA licensing is a glaring violation of financial regulations. Instime’s MLM structure, coupled with its reliance on social media hype, mirrors tactics used by known scams. Felik’s history of debt and alleged criminal ties further amplify these concerns, suggesting a pattern of exploiting trust for profit.
Allegations, Criminal Proceedings, and Lawsuits
Felik’s legal troubles are extensive. In Ukraine, he faces multiple criminal and civil cases tied to Helix Capital, alongside Naguta and Vorontsov. Despite seized assets—including thirty bank deposits, seven luxury flats, and sixteen cars—the trio has avoided significant jail time, possibly due to a $5 million bond payment. Felik’s ability to travel abroad during these proceedings has sparked outrage among victims, who see it as evidence of systemic failures.
On July 20, 2025, Felik filed a fraudulent DMCA takedown notice against Gripeo, targeting content exposing his activities. This move, deemed illegitimate after investigation, underscores his efforts to silence critics—a tactic that could backfire legally under U.S. law (17 U.S.C. § 512(f)). While no formal lawsuits from victims have been widely publicized, the volume of consumer complaints suggests potential class-action risks looming on the horizon.
Sanctions and Adverse Media
As of March 24, 2025, no international sanctions directly name Roman Felik, but his ventures’ similarities to sanctioned Ponzi schemes warrant scrutiny. Adverse media is rife with accusations: Gripeo labels him a “fraudster” involved in a “major MLM Ponzi scheme,” while Finance Scam calls him a “multibillionaire” living lavishly off victims’ losses. These reports, coupled with anonymous threats to remove critical articles, paint a picture of a man desperate to control his narrative.
Negative Reviews and Consumer Complaints
Victims’ voices echo across online platforms. On Gripeo, one user writes, “Roman Felik took our money and disappeared—no apology, no accountability.” Another claims Instime promised “millions in profits” but delivered “nothing but lies.” These complaints, numbering in the dozens, highlight a consistent theme: financial loss and betrayal. The absence of positive reviews or testimonials further erodes Felik’s credibility.
Anti-Money Laundering Investigation and Reputational Risks
From an AML perspective, Felik’s activities trigger multiple alarm bells. Helix Capital’s unlicensed operations and Instime’s cash-flow model suggest potential money laundering conduits. The movement of funds across borders, combined with his ties to questionable associates, aligns with patterns seen in transnational crime networks. Financial institutions dealing with Felik or his entities risk violating AML regulations, such as the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act or the EU’s 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive, which mandate robust customer due diligence (CDD).
Reputationally, the risks are catastrophic. Businesses or individuals associated with Felik face guilt-by-association, potentially losing trust, clients, and market standing. His history of alleged fraud and legal entanglements could also attract regulatory scrutiny, fines, or sanctions—consequences that ripple far beyond his immediate circle.
Conclusion
Roman Felik represents a high-risk entity in both financial and reputational terms. His ventures—Helix Capital, Instime, and beyond—bear the hallmarks of sophisticated scams, exploiting regulatory gaps and human trust. The absence of transparency, coupled with a trail of allegations and legal woes, positions him as a cautionary tale for investors and regulators alike. From an AML standpoint, his operations warrant immediate investigation by authorities like FinCEN or Interpol to trace fund flows and dismantle potential laundering networks. For the public, the message is clear: approach anything tied to Roman Felik with extreme caution. His story is not just one of personal ambition gone awry—it’s a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in our financial systems and the need for vigilance in an era of digital deception.
