This case is a classic example of how formal legal mechanisms can fall short: the company disappears, but the business continues — just under a different legal shell. And how we bypassed the standard litigation route by using analytics, network tracing, and targeted legal action to resolve the conflict before trial.

A Chinese manufacturer signed a contract with a Russian distributor for the delivery of goods, with partial prepayment. The first shipment was delivered and sold — but no payment followed. The unpaid amount reached $1.34 million.

Shortly afterward, the distributor moved all operational activity to another legal entity, transferred assets, and left the original company facing bankruptcy.

Legally, the new company had no obligations to the supplier. But in practice, it was a direct continuation of the same business — with the same people, clients, and operations.

The main challenge was proving that the business transfer had no legitimate economic rationale and was done solely to avoid responsibility. It was also critical to establish continuity between the entities, freeze the assets before they vanished, and regain control without being dragged into lengthy court proceedings.

The Anahata Solutions team conducted a full analysis of asset structures, corporate governance, and business migration:

—  identified affiliation between the old and new companies (matching beneficiaries, employees, and contract terms);

—  uncovered asset diversion schemes via fictitious liabilities and client base transfers;

—  revealed signs of sham bankruptcy and coordinated actions by the management.

Based on this, we issued an Expert Opinion answering key questions:

—  What legal tools can establish the connection between the two companies?

—  How do we prove the transfer was a deliberate attempt to avoid liability?

—  How can such schemes be prevented in the future?

After the investigation, we deployed a set of measures to regain control.

We initiated legal proceedings to freeze the assets of the successor company. Simultaneously, claims were prepared against affiliated entities involved in the business transfer scheme.

We also reached out to key partners of the distributor to alert them about the legal and financial risks. This helped apply systemic pressure and shattered the illusion of a “clean” new company.