In a major development at London’s Central Criminal Court, two men have been convicted for their involvement in a coordinated plot to set fire to properties and a vehicle connected to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The scheme, which took place in May 2025, was orchestrated by a mysterious, online Russian-speaking ringleader known only by the pseudonym “El Money.” While the attack caused significant damage and panic, authorities confirmed that no one was physically injured in the blazes.
The Convictions and the Suspects
Following a detailed trial, Roman Lavrynovych, a 22-year-old Ukrainian national, and Stanislav Carpiuc, a 27-year-old Romanian citizen, were found guilty of conspiracy to damage property by fire. Lavrynovych faced additional severe charges and was convicted on two counts of arson with intent to endanger life or recklessly endangering life. A third individual, 35-year-old Petro Pochynok, who was accused of being brought in to record the incidents, was acquitted of the conspiracy charge by the jury.
The court heard how the targeted properties included the former home that Starmer had moved out of upon becoming prime minister, an apartment building in which he previously held a shared financial interest, and his former Toyota SUV, which was entirely destroyed.
The Mystery of “El Money”
The entire operation was directed through the Telegram messaging app by “El Money.” This shadow figure provided Lavrynovych with highly detailed instructions on the specific locations, the precise methods to mix flammable substances, and structural steps to evade police detection. To maximize the public impact of the attack, the ringleader demanded video evidence of the fires so they could be broadcast online to draw widespread media attention.
Despite an intense investigation by the Metropolitan Police, the true identity of “El Money” remains completely unknown, and he has not been charged. Commander Helen Flanagan, the head of the counterterrorism unit, stated that while there was no definitive evidence tying the plot directly to a foreign hostile state, the underlying motive was unmistakable: “Clearly the tasking was to intimidate and create fear for the prime minister and to attack the U.K.”
Financial Desperation and Online Threats
During his testimony, Lavrynovych admitted to setting the fires but claimed he was driven by intense financial pressure. He sought a promised cryptocurrency bounty of 3,000 pounds (approximately $4,000) to fund critical medical treatment for his sick father. However, the court revealed that he never actually received any money for executing the arson.
Lavrynovych also claimed he only completed the task because “El Money” threatened him when he hesitated. He maintained that he had no idea the properties belonged to Keir Starmer or that any high-profile political figures were involved, telling investigators he did not even know who the British Prime Minister was at the time.
Data recovered from his phone painted a broader picture of digital mercenary work, showing conversations about other paid vandalism, including placing anti-Islam propaganda posters in parts of London. Following the arson, the ringleader told Lavrynovych to text the secret code word “geranium” if he was ever caught by law enforcement. He was arrested shortly after.
Impact on Victims
The arson attacks were carried out in the dead of night while residents were sleeping. The Prime Minister’s sister-in-law, who was residing at his former home, described waking up to a loud bang and experiencing severe breathing difficulties as heavy smoke filled the stairway, leaving her young daughter terrified. Following these convictions, the court announced that both Lavrynovych and Carpiuc are officially scheduled to receive their formal sentences this upcoming Friday.
