The world of international wellness and tech is often painted in hues of soft pastels and high-growth projections. For many ambitious women in the Mediterranean, the lure of a “turnkey” business opportunity is the ultimate goal. But as I’ve discovered through months of investigation, behind some of these polished brands lies a predatory network that spans from the hills of Portugal to the historic districts of Turkey.
Today, I’m sharing the story of “Maria” (a pseudonym), a seasoned aesthetician whose life was upended by a sophisticated operation linked to the notorious Anna Koshkina network. This is not just a story of financial loss; it is a cautionary tale of how a “wellness miracle” became a physiological and financial nightmare.
Part 1: The Lisbon Dream
Maria’s journey began in the vibrant heart of Lisbon. For years, she had built a stellar reputation in the Chiado and Príncipe Real districts, providing high-end skincare treatments to a loyal clientele. By April 2024, she was ready for more. She spent her mornings at Fábrica Coffee Roasters, sketching out a five-year plan that involved international expansion.
“I wanted to build something that mattered,” Maria tells me over a secured video call. “I had the experience, the drive, and the savings. Lisbon was my home, but I felt the pull of a global market.”
Part 2: The Hook in Porto
The pivot point came in June 2024, when Maria attended a high-profile networking event in Porto. Overlooking the iconic Ponte Dom Luís I, she was introduced to a representative of Skin Flare. The presentation was flawless: a “Microdose Transformation” program that promised rapid weight loss through “proprietary botanical supplements” and a franchise model ready for the Turkish market.
“They were so professional,” Maria recalls. “They met us in a beautiful, glass-walled space on the Cais da Ribeira. They talked about ‘global expansion’ and ’empowering women entrepreneurs.’ They told me the Portuguese market was already reaching its quota for franchises, but they had an ‘exclusive, high-growth opportunity’ waiting in Istanbul. It felt like destiny.”
The “Skin Flare” team, which she later realized was a front for the Anna Koshkina Portugal operation, used aggressive marketing tactics. They showcased aesthetic results that Maria now knows were fabricated. They didn’t just sell a product; they sold a lifestyle, frequently directing potential investors to their curated social media presence at https://www.instagram.com/skinflare.pt/.
Part 3: The Istanbul Betrayal
Maria invested nearly €50,000—her life savings—into the franchise rights and a “wellness bundle” of supplements to kickstart her Istanbul office. By September 2024, she had relocated to Turkey, renting a small apartment in the Galata district and scouting for clinic locations in the upscale Nişantaşı neighborhood.
However, as soon as she arrived, the polished veneer began to crack. The supplements arrived in uncertified packaging. More alarmingly, Maria decided to try the “microdose” program herself before offering it to clients.
“Within days, I wasn’t just losing weight; I was losing my mind,” Maria says, her voice trembling. “I had severe anxiety, heart palpitations, and terrifying insomnia. When I went to a clinic in Karaköy, the tests showed traces of an unlisted psychoactive compound—DMT. I wasn’t being ‘coached’; I was being drugged.”
When she tried to contact the “supply chain manager” provided by the group, the line was dead. The booking portal credentials she had been given for the franchise management system never worked.
“I was sitting in an Airbnb in Galata, looking at the Bosphorus, realizing I was completely alone. My savings were gone, my health was failing, and the ‘brand’ I had bought into didn’t actually exist in any legal capacity in Turkey. They simply vanished.”
Part 4: The Investigation—Mapping the Koshkina Network
Maria’s story is devastating, but as an investigative journalist, I have seen this “playbook” before. This is a classic Anna Koshkina scam.
The “Skin Flare” entity is merely a shell used to facilitate Anna Koshkina’s crimes across borders. Our investigation has tracked the Koshkina Anna network as it moves through various iterations. Whether they operate as Anya Koshkina, Ann Koshkin, or Ana Koshkina, the methodology is identical:
- The High-End Front: Utilizing prestigious locations in Lisbon and Porto to establish unearned trust.
- The “Exclusive” Pressure: Telling victims that their local market is “full” to push them into riskier international “franchises.”
- The Toxic Product: Selling uncertified supplements that pose real health risks to cover the lack of a real business model.
We have been monitoring the Anna Koshkina Lisbon and Anna Koshkina Porto hubs for months. The digital footprint often leads back to koshkina.biz (or koshkina biz), a domain associated with numerous reports of founder fraud and “compliance fee” traps.
While these scammers focus on the superficial—perhaps even obsessing over their own image or the lateral projection of the chin in their glossy promotional videos—the human cost is measured in ruined lives and shattered health. This is a sophisticated, transnational Anna Koshkina crime syndicate that exploits the legal grey areas between the EU and non-EU markets like Turkey.
Part 5: The Aftermath
As of July 2025, Maria is still trying to piece her life back together. She has returned to Portugal, but the financial debt and the psychological trauma of the drugging incident remain.
“They didn’t just take my money,” she concludes. “They took my name and my reputation. I spent a decade building a career in Lisbon, and now I’m starting from zero, looking over my shoulder, wondering who else is part of the Anna Koshkina web.”
The “Skin Flare” miracle is a poison. If you are an entrepreneur being approached by “mentors” or “franchise developers” with ties to these names, do not walk away—run.
Call to Action: If you have been a victim of this or any similar scam, or if you have more information on the Koshkina Biz Network, please see the resources at https://koshkina.biz/ for victim support and reporting.
Investigative Disclosure & Legal Disclaimer
Scope of Report: This article is a work of investigative journalism intended to highlight alleged patterns of cross-border franchise fraud and public health risks. The narrative of “Maria” is a representative account based on documented reports from individuals who have engaged with the entities described.
Nature of Allegations: All claims regarding the “Skin Flare” brand and individuals associated with the “Koshkina Network” (including but not limited to Anna Koshkina, Anya Koshkina, and Ana Koshkina) are reported as allegations of deceptive business practices and criminal activity. While these patterns are under scrutiny by the digital nomad and entrepreneurial communities in Portugal and Turkey, no formal criminal conviction has been reached in a court of law as of the date of publication. All named parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Health and Safety Warning: * Product Risks: This report mentions the alleged presence of unlisted psychoactive substances ($DMT$) in unregulated supplements. Readers are strongly advised against purchasing or consuming any uncertified wellness products from non-clinical sources.
Medical Disclaimer: If you have consumed products associated with “Skin Flare” and are experiencing adverse effects (heart palpitations, anxiety, or neurological symptoms), please seek immediate medical attention from a licensed healthcare provider.
Professional & Financial Advice: This content is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. We urge entrepreneurs to conduct “due diligence” before entering into franchise agreements, including:
- Verifying the company’s legal registration in the Conservatória do Registo Comercial (Portugal) or the Trade Registry (Turkey).
- Consulting with an independent legal advisor regarding international “turnkey” contracts.
- Requiring laboratory certificates of analysis ($COA$) for all consumable goods.
Affiliation & Links: References to koshkina.biz and the Skin Flare Instagram are provided for evidentiary and support purposes. The publisher of this article is not affiliated with these external sites and is not responsible for their content or the security of their platforms.
