Two Russian nationals, Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov, have been charged by U.S. authorities for operating a global cryptocurrency money laundering network. They allegedly provided services to cybercriminals, including darknet drug traffickers and ransomware operators, using crypto platforms. The U.S. Department of State has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to their arrests.
This action is part of a broader international effort involving authorities from the U.S., Europe, and multiple other countries, which included the seizure of websites associated with illicit crypto exchanges like Cryptex.net, UAPS, and PinPays. Ivanov and Shakhmametov were linked to laundering billions of dollars and operating carding sites, such as Joker's Stash, known for selling stolen payment card data.
U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of this operation in the context of efforts to counter Russian sanctions evasion amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
