Jan Marsalek, the fugitive former CEO of German payment firm Wirecard – accused of orchestrating a €1.9 billion accounting fraud discovered in 2020 – is now at the centre of a new examination into a coordinated disinformation campaign. Authorities allege marsalek directed efforts to sow discord and undermine public support for Ukraine, extending his criminal activity beyond financial deception into the realm of political interference. Newly obtained chat logs reveal a targeted operation in Vienna and othre european cities aimed at falsely linking Ukraine to far-right extremism, raising concerns about the transnational scope of disinformation efforts.
Marsalek
A former executive accused of masterminding one of Europe’s largest financial fraud schemes is now linked to a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining public trust in Ukraine. The effort allegedly involved spreading anti-Ukrainian messaging in Vienna and other European cities.
Jan Marsalek, the former CEO of Wirecard, is accused of orchestrating a disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine, according to a recent report. The campaign, which unfolded in Vienna and other European capitals, sought to portray Ukraine as aligned with far-right extremist groups.
“Pig Stickers” Used in Targeted Incident
Chats obtained by “Profil” magazine and ORF, Austria’s public broadcaster, reveal a series of targets for the campaign, including Austrian media outlets, Jewish institutions, and a Russian-owned business in central Vienna. On June 16, 2022, Orlin Roussev, identified as the leader of a group linked to Marsalek, wrote in a chat, “I was thinking of the classic ‘pig stickers’ for the Russian business.” Marsalek reportedly responded, “Very good.”
An ORF report from late June 2022 confirmed that stickers had been placed on the business. The report described a sign reading “Нет войне” – Russian for “No to war” – defaced with stickers stating, “No to Russian pigs.” The business owner, contacted by “Profil” this week, recalled the incident but said she did not keep any photographs.
The disinformation effort focused on utilizing symbols associated with the Azov Regiment, a Ukrainian far-right military unit, to create a false association between Ukraine and extremist ideologies. This campaign ran through the end of June 2022.
On July 8, Roussev messaged Marsalek, suggesting they repeat the campaign in Vienna. Marsalek allegedly replied, “Let’s maybe attack a different city instead.”
The case highlights the potential for individuals involved in financial crimes to also engage in politically motivated disinformation operations.
