"Delayed deadlines 35 times": Residents of Yekaterinburg accused a furniture maker of scamming them out of 2 million.

1

Igor Borisov had numerous positive reviews on social media, and his service fees were lower than those of his competitors. Photo: social media page, project sketch provided by a reader of "KP"

When it comes to renovations, many people desire high quality at a low price. This sometimes leads to financial losses and the breakdown of agreements. Such was the case with the protagonists of our story.

Several residents of Yekaterinburg had turned to the same furniture maker for five years. In total, they paid this negligent craftsman over 2 million rubles, but instead of their dream renovations, they received only promises. They were unable to reclaim their money through the courts, so they united and filed a collective complaint with the police. The victims believe that Igor Borisov's actions show signs of fraud.

POSITIVE REVIEWS AND LOW SERVICE COSTS

“KP-Yekaterinburg” is aware of at least five lawsuits filed against the furniture maker. The victims claim that Igor Borisov, a native of Bashkiria and an individual entrepreneur, operated according to a similar scheme: he collected advance payments from clients and began postponing deadlines as the completion date approached.

Igor Borisov had many positive reviews on social media, and his service fees were lower than those of his competitors. Therefore, he had no shortage of clients.

Borisov explained his low prices by stating that he worked directly with suppliers and did not have an office, which meant he did not incur rental costs.

The victims say that some met with the craftsman in cafes, while others had meetings in rented offices for a few hours.

The craftsman behaved like a true professional: he met with clients several times to discuss all their wishes, took careful measurements, and even created project mockups. The victims say that Borisov collected advance payments ranging from 70% to 90%.

2

The craftsman was supposed to make and install wardrobes in a country house. Photo: project sketch provided by a reader of "KP"

- This person is very likable. He made a drawing for me and asked many questions about materials and minor details, - says Anna (name changed at the hero's request. – Ed.), one of the dissatisfied clients.

The woman is the director of a company and signed a contract with the craftsman as a legal entity. Igor Borisov was supposed to make and install two wardrobes in her country house. In May of this year, Anna paid an advance of 280,000 rubles for this.

PAID 650,000 FOR A KITCHEN SET

Elizaveta (name changed at the hero's request. – Ed.) is a single mother raising a minor son. In July 2024, she met Borisov through a mutual acquaintance who is a designer.

- He (the designer) recommended Borisov as a good and responsible specialist. He said he had known him for over twenty years, and they grew up in the same neighborhood. Yuri (name changed at the hero's request. – Ed.) was confident in him, as they had previously worked on joint projects, - shared Elizaveta.

3

For the creation of this kitchen, the Yekaterinburg resident paid 650,000 rubles. Photo: project sketch provided by a reader of "KP"

In total, Elizaveta paid the craftsman, who was supposed to make and install the kitchen set, 650,000 rubles.

According to the young woman, Igor Borisov postponed the completion date 35 times. Initially, the craftsman promised to install the kitchen by September. However, from that point on, the deadlines were constantly pushed back by a day.

The young woman repeatedly asked for any proof that work on her project was progressing. For example, invoices, contracts with contractors, photos of the details. However, according to Elizaveta, Borisov never provided any of this.

4

Screenshot of the correspondence with the craftsman. Photo: reader of "KP"

5

Photo: reader of "KP"

HAS NO ASSETS

Evgeny Kochnev is another victim of the furniture maker's actions. He contacted Igor Borisov back in 2019. The man wanted to update his kitchen set and entrusted this task to the craftsman. After signing the contract, an advance payment of 255,000 rubles (70% of the kitchen's cost) was made. However, the work was never completed.

According to Evgeny Kochnev, at some point, Igor Borisov completely stopped communicating. After that, the Yekaterinburg resident went to court. In 2020, Evgeny Kochnev's claim was satisfied (the decision is available to the editorial office. – Ed.). The court ordered the craftsman to pay the victim 800,000 rubles. This amount includes penalties, compensation for moral harm, and legal fees.

However, Evgeny has yet to receive a single ruble from Igor Borisov.

- He doesn’t pay me anything; he has nothing, and nothing is registered in his name, - laments Evgeny.

It is worth noting that, according to the website of the Federal Bailiff Service, there are eight enforcement proceedings against Igor Borisov. Among other things, the furniture maker has five debts on loans. The total amount of Igor Borisov's debts at the time of preparing this material was nearly 1,300,000 rubles.

- Another craftsman has already made my kitchen. He told me he had heard about Borisov before, and I was not the first deceived customer, - Evgeny shared with “KP-Yekaterinburg.”

CONSIDER THE FURNITURE MAKER A FRAUDSTER

The victims of the furniture maker's actions created a common chat in a messenger. In September 2024, the Yekaterinburg residents filed a collective complaint with the police. They believe that Igor Borisov's actions exhibit signs of fraud.

Attorney Ruslan Kamaletdinov, representing Elizaveta's interests, shares this view.

- Apparently, to reduce liability, the craftsman signed contracts with the victims not as an individual entrepreneur but as a private individual. Under such circumstances, the furniture maker had a chance to evade the risk of being ordered by the court to pay penalties, fines, and moral damages under consumer protection laws. After all, when signing contracts between private individuals, it is more challenging to prove liability under this law, - notes Ruslan Kamaletdinov.

The attorney believes that Borisov knew before signing the contract that he would not complete the work and would simply take the money for himself.

THEY ARE TO BLAME THEMSELVES

“KP-Yekaterinburg” reached out to Igor Borisov. He believes that his clients share some blame for what happened.

- If I hadn’t been sued, I would have completed my work on time. In all these cases, the clients themselves terminated the contract with me. I believe I can resolve all situations with clients without third parties, - commented Igor Borisov on the situation.

Currently, attorney Vladimir Alyoshin, representing the interests of one of the furniture maker's clients, is looking for other victims of his activities.

“KP-Yekaterinburg” has requested a comment from the press group of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Yekaterinburg. The agency promised to provide it later.