Published on Thursday, August 28, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rican authorities have deported a Russian national wanted on fraud and money-laundering charges, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The 32-year-old suspect, identified only by his last name, Kimpaev, was turned over to agents of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service at Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela. The transfer was carried out by Interpol agents in coordination with the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).

Kimpaev had been the subject of a Red Notice issued by Russia in 2019. Prosecutors there accuse him of running a scheme while serving as acting general director of a company tied to the state-owned Rosseti Severni Kavkaz electric grid. Instead of paying the supplier, investigators say he and a partner siphoned off payments collected from customers, defrauding the company of roughly $10 million.

He fled Russia in 2019 and was declared internationally wanted. According to OIJ Director Osvaldo Ramírez, Kimpaev had been living in Costa Rica since 2024. He was arrested in June 2025 in a public area near the Río de Oro district of Santa Ana, just west of San José.

Following his arrest, he was held at the Migration Apprehension Center in San José while extradition proceedings were completed on Wednesday.

Kimpaev was extradited at the request of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office and will face criminal prosecution in his home country.

Authorities have not disclosed additional details. Only the suspect’s immediate family members may request further information.

Kimpaev is one of the recent foreign nationals being deported from Costa Rica. Recently, Costa Rican authorities deported an Israeli national wanted on $54 million cryptocurrency fraud charges.

The OIJ is urging the public to report individuals who may be subject to an international Red Notice. Confidential tips can be submitted via the hotline at 800-8000-645 or the quick line at 11-76. Bilingual agents are available to assist in both English and Spanish.

The OIJ, a division of the Supreme Court of Justice, is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and holds nationwide police authority.

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