The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has seized domains linked to three cryptocurrency exchanges accused of facilitating over $800 million in illicit transactions. This action is part of a broader crackdown on Russian money laundering operations involving cryptocurrencies.
Key Figures in the Money Laundering Scheme
Russian nationals Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov have been indicted for their roles in running money laundering services for cybercriminals, including ransomware groups and darknet drug traffickers. Ivanov, also known as "Taleon," allegedly operated crypto exchanges like UAPS, PinPays, and PM2BTC, which processed more than $1.15 billion in digital asset transactions. Shakhmametov is accused of running Joker’s Stash, a notorious carding website that sold stolen payment card data.
Collaboration Across Law Enforcement Agencies
The DOJ worked closely with the Treasury Department, Secret Service, and international law enforcement partners to disrupt these operations. The U.S. government has seized the domains of UAPS, PM2BTC, and Cryptex, with Dutch authorities recovering an additional $7 million in cryptocurrency from seized servers. This coordinated effort highlights the continued focus on disrupting illegal activities in the crypto space.
Source: Decrypt
