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Chicago Arrests Sklarov in $450 M Salinas Loan Fraud

5/7/2026

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Story summary
  • Vladimir Sklarov was arrested in Chicago on a federal indictment for a fake loan scheme that cost Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego about $450 million.
  • He used the Astor name to promise a $115 million loan backed by shares he later sold, with the indictment naming a co-conspirator called Thomas Mellon.
  • Salinas learned in July 2024 the shares had been liquidated and received a false default notice the following day.