Crypto laundering. The sector of cryptocurrencies is regularly singled out for its misappropriation in the context of fraudulent activity. It must be said that its innovative features make it possible to transfer large quantities of funds quickly and inexpensively. This while benefiting from a possibly registered activity under the regulatory radar traditional. A situation that the United States justice system seems determined to thwart, especially when the facts involve Russian cybercriminals. On the agenda: money laundering, drug trafficking and ransomware…
Cryptocurrencies and crime: a complicated relationship
Despite stubborn prejudices and widely maintained, the market for cryptocurrencies is rarely used in the context of proven criminal activities. And the amounts involved have even recorded a significant decline over the past year.
Yet the European Central Bank (ECB) desperately continues to cry wolf, summarizing Bitcoin as a simple “currency of crime”. Fun fact, the status of cash is apparently only attributed to BTC when it is associated with reprehensible activities.
However, there are many malicious actors excited about the innovative features associated with cryptocurrencies. But also by the almost infinite potential digital scams that can be set up in parallel with this digital economy.
A sector of the dark crypto whose activity is largely dominated by North Korean hacker groups like Lazarus. But, obviously, the Russian criminals are also in the place…
American justice vs Russian criminals
The matter which interests us in the present case was reported on the official website of the United States Department of Justice. This concerns a joint action by several federal authorities. All in order to “fight against money laundering from Russia ».
In question, a service of financial cleansing aimed at cybercriminals, visibly active for two decades. But also several exchanges illicit cryptocurrencies – including Cryptex.net and Cryptex.one – associated with this fraudulent activity. These have now become inaccessible.
“The two Russian nationals charged today are alleged to have pocketed millions of dollars through prolific money laundering and fueling a network of cybercriminals across the world. One of them also dealt with drug traffickers and ransomware operators. »
Lisa Monaco, Deputy Attorney General
Published court documents also state large-scale bank fraud and international in scope. All associated with known fraudulent services within the dark web under the name of “ Carding “. That is to say the acquisition and trading stolen credit card information for fraudulent purposes. An important operation for United States justice, because it will help curb the activities of “hackers responsible for significant data breaches of large American companies”.
