Russian Woman Sentenced to Heavy Punishment for Trying to Steal Life of Woman Who Resembled Her

Feeding Cake Containing Drugs and Staging It as 'Extreme Choice'
Fled to the U.S. After Committing Murder in Home Country

A Russian woman who murdered a woman who looked exactly like her and then tried to steal her entire life was sentenced to a heavy prison term.

Victoria Nashirova (left), who attempted to take over a life after killing a woman who resembled her. On the right is the victim Olga Tsvik [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to foreign media including the British BBC on the 20th (local time), on the 19th, a court in New York State sentenced Victoria Nashirova (47), who was on trial for attempted murder, to 21 years in prison.

In 2016, Nashirova visited the home of Olga Tsvik (then 35), an eyelash beauty specialist, saying she urgently needed an eyelash correction. She had prepared a cheesecake from a famous bakery in advance; she ate two pieces herself and offered the third piece to Tsvik. After eating the cheesecake, Tsvik collapsed on the spot because it contained a powerful sedative strong enough to kill a person.

After confirming that Tsvik had collapsed, Nashirova scattered several pills containing the same substance as the drug in the cheesecake around Tsvik's bed to disguise Tsvik's death as a suicide. Then Nashirova stole Tsvik's passport, work permit, and money and fled.

Tsvik, who was close to a heart attack, fortunately survived thanks to a friend visiting the house the next day. However, she suffered from social phobia, severe anxiety, and insomnia for a long time afterward.

The police were able to identify and arrest Nashirova using DNA left on the cheesecake box. It turned out that this was not Nashirova's first crime. Investigations revealed that in 2014, she had murdered a neighbor in Russia, stolen her retirement funds, fled to the United States, and was wanted by Interpol with a red notice. She was also reported to have committed crimes by luring men through dating apps, drugging them, and robbing their valuables.

The police believe that Nashirova's ultimate goal was the life of Tsvik, who looked exactly like her. Both had black hair and facial features so similar they could be called "doppelgangers." Both spoke Russian, but Nashirova was Russian while Tsvik was from Ukraine.

Judge Kenneth Holder described Nashirova as "a very dangerous woman who devised an evil plan" and handed down a heavy sentence. However, Nashirova did not seem to repent for her crime and hurled severe insults at the judge as the sentence was delivered.

Prosecutor Melinda Katz also said in a statement, "A ruthless and meticulous con artist will be imprisoned for a long time as a consequence of attempting murder for her own benefit," adding, "We have delivered justice to Nashirova."