A Russian fugitive poisoned a New York woman’s cheesecake with a powerful sedative in a brazen identity theft plot, exposing dangerous vulnerabilities exploited by international criminals evading justice.
Story Snapshot
- International fugitive Viktoria Nasyrova targeted lookalike Olga Tsvyk with phenazepam-laced cheesecake in 2016 Queens attempted murder.
- Nasyrova sought to steal Tsvyk’s identity, passport, and belongings after the victim lost consciousness and was hospitalized.
- Private investigator Herman Weisberg located Nasyrova via Facebook analysis after NYPD search failed for seven months.
- Case links to 2015 Russian murder of Alla Alekseenko, with Nasyrova wanted by Interpol.
The Poisoned Gift Unfolds
In August 2016, Viktoria Nasyrova visited Olga Tsvyk’s Queens apartment pretending to need eyelash services for a Mexico trip. Nasyrova brought cheesecake as a gift. Tsvyk ate a piece out of politeness. Minutes later, severe illness struck; Tsvyk lost consciousness and nearly died. Hospitalization followed, with no memory of subsequent events due to the sedative phenazepam’s effects. This calculated act aimed at murder for identity theft.
Identity Theft Motive and Theft
Nasyrova targeted Tsvyk due to their physical resemblance, planning to assume her identity as an international fugitive. Upon Tsvyk’s return home, police discovered stolen purses, money, jewelry, and passport. NYPD investigation stalled initially; toxin screens tested negative for controlled substances, and Tsvyk recalled no details. Police searched fruitlessly for seven months. Nasyrova’s apartment later yielded Tsvyk’s ID card, confirming the theft scheme.
Prior Murder in Russia Connects Cases
Before the New York attack, Nasyrova fled Russia after allegedly murdering Alla Alekseenko in 2015. Surveillance from October 5 captured Nasyrova driving with Alekseenko’s body in the passenger seat. Charred remains surfaced in April 2015, two hours from Tsvyk’s area. Context suggests Alekseenko as Nasyrova’s mother. Interpol pursued Nasyrova internationally. The cheesecake plot mirrored this pattern of predatory violence across borders.
Prosecutors stressed Nasyrova intended to kill Tsvyk and steal her identity. One expert called it unprecedented: unlikely to see another cheesecake murder attempt. The case exposed law enforcement coordination gaps with fugitives.
Private Investigator Breaks the Case
Former NYPD detective Herman Weisberg succeeded where police faltered. Analyzing Nasyrova’s Facebook, he spotted overlooked details in photos. Within six hours, his team surveilled her shopping with her boyfriend. Weisberg called it the craziest case ever. Brooklyn authorities arrested Nasyrova. Detective Kevin Rogers noted the poisoning made sense post-arrest, linking it to Russia.
Trial evidence included surveillance photos, Tsvyk’s ID from Nasyrova’s home, and victim testimony. Judges barred cameras from witness statements and limited murder charge details. Cases featured on “48 Hours” and Investigation Discovery by 2023.
Sources:
Viktoria Nasyrova Connected NYC Poisonings, Cheesecake, Russian Murders | Oxygen
The Cheesecake That Almost Took Her Life | The Curious Case of… | Investigation Discovery
