Alleged $450,000 Fraud in Miami Luxury Furniture Deal
Independent forensic analysis reveals furniture billed as premium Italian craftsmanship was constructed from particle board, MDF, and cheap veneer worth 15-20% of contract price.
⚠️ Alleged Perpetrators - Pavel "Pasha" Pojidaev & Yana Pojidaeva
If you have done business with these individuals, you may want to have materials independently tested.
The Contract
Date: September 22, 2022
Contractor: Materia Collection LLC
Location: Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Amount: $541,146.87
Claimed Source: Laurameroni S.R.L. (Italy)
What Was Promised
- Italian hand-crafted furniture
- Natural Walnut Canaletto wood
- Premium concealed hardware
- Museum-quality finishes
- Bronze glass & dark bronze
Contract Documents & Estimate
Original contract estimate showing promised materials and specifications:
Photographic Evidence - What Was Promised vs. Delivered
Professional Renderings Shown to Client
What Was Actually Delivered - Standard Appearance
Independent Expert Analysis
John Alden III, IWI - Certified Wood Inspector, Alden Identification Service
Report Date: November 7, 2025
NOT Walnut Canaletto
Contracted: Natural Walnut Canaletto
Delivered: Tropical hardwood veneer (300 microns) - NOT walnut
Microscopic analysis confirmed non-walnut species
Cheap Core Materials
Found:
- MDF Fiberboard (2mm)
- Spruce scrap wood (18mm)
- Cottonwood filler (1mm)
- Baltic Birch plywood (10-ply)
"Scrap wood unusable with respect to physical properties"
Budget Hardware
Contracted: Concealed integrated systems
Delivered: Standard commercial visible hinges
Poor Finish Quality
Contracted: Hand-rubbed luxury finish
Delivered: "Spray application with orange peel effect"
Expert Valuation
"Materials delivered worth approximately 15-20% of invoiced amount"
Contract Amount: $541,146.87
Estimated Real Value: $81,000 - $108,000
Alleged Fraud: $433,000 - $460,000
Alden Forensic Report Pages
Named Defendants
Pavel Pojidaev
a/k/a Pasha Pojidaev
Individual defendant
Yana Pojidaev
a/k/a Yana Pojidaeva
Individual defendant
Materia Collection LLC
Address: 1060 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
Phone: (786) 303-0123 | (786) 438-1330
Website: materiacollection.com
Also operates: italdoors.com
Laurameroni S.R.L.
Italian manufacturer (Milan, Italy)
d/b/a Laurameroni Design Collection
Affidavit provides minimal evidence. States only "observed installation by video/photos from MATERIA COLLECTION LLC"
Case Status: Active litigation, 11th Judicial Circuit Court, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Case Number: 2024-024567-CA-01
Next Hearing: March 2025
⚠️ Consumer Warning - Miami & South Florida
If you contracted with these entities/individuals, have materials independently tested:
- Pavel "Pasha" Pojidaev
- Yana Pojidaev/Pojidaeva
- Materia Collection LLC (materiacollection.com)
- ITALdoors (italdoors.com)
- Projects claiming Laurameroni manufacturing through these dealers
Red Flags:
- Steep 40-50% "discounts" from inflated prices
- Claims of exclusive Italian manufacturing without proof
- Visible particle board, MDF, or plywood in "solid wood" products
- Standard commercial hardware vs. promised concealed systems
- Poor finish quality (orange peel, drips, inconsistent lacquer)
- Full payment required before delivery
Protect Yourself
- Demand material samples for independent testing before final payment
- Hire independent wood inspector (like Alden Identification Service)
- Use escrow for high-value contracts
- Verify manufacturer directly
- Document everything with photos
Report Similar Experiences:
• Miami-Dade Consumer Protection: (305) 375-3677
• Florida AG Consumer Protection: 1-866-9-NO-SCAM
• BBB Southeast Florida
• File complaint: MyFloridaLegal.com