Russia detains four suspects over 100M-ruble crypto exchange scheme

Russian authorities have detained four residents of Surgut on Thursday for allegedly laundering millions of rubles through crypto transactions and using purchased bank cards for financial crimes in the country. 

According to an announcement made by Irina Volk, the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the group handled roughly 100 million rubles by routing illicit funds through bank accounts belonging to people paid to surrender their cards. 

These individuals were intermediaries known locally as “droppers,” who helped criminals to move funds without directly linking them to the fraudulent transactions. Three of the accused were taken into custody, while a fourth has been placed under travel restrictions pending investigations.

Bank cards bought for money laundering scheme

According to the investigation, the four suspects bought several bank cards from Russian citizens and paid for access to their active accounts. Volk told local news outlets the illegally acquired funds were funneled into these accounts and then rerouted by the group, which supposedly provided cashing-out services and crypto conversions for criminal clients.

The group removed funds from the accounts, converted the money into digital assets and then transferred the received digital currency to individuals Volk called “curators.” She said the suspects charged between 3% and 15% in commission for their services. 

One cryptocurrency exchange, which was not identified by the ministry, reported that the turnover associated with the group’s transactions exceeded 94 million rubles. Volk did not specify which exchange provided that information or who the authorities believe the curators to be.

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs Officers, together with security officials, claimed the purchased bank cards were used to commit remote thefts in Russia, including unauthorized withdrawals and digital fraud. 

A criminal case has been opened under Article 187, Part 5, of the Russian Criminal Code, which governs the illegal trafficking of payment instruments. 

Russian authorities warn crypto owners of hybrid attacks

In the second half of 2025, Russian cybersecurity specialists have been warning citizens of a growing rate of hybrid crypto-related assaults on owners. Local news outlet Business Petersburg interviewed several professionals who said victims have faced both digital intrusions and physical threats to give out their private keys, wallets and personal information.

Alexander Gostev, the chief technology expert of Kaspersky Lab, told BP that hackers have begun compiling detailed dossiers on digital asset holders using information leaked from online verification platforms and social media. 

Cryptopolitan reported in mid-October about authorities in Georgia capturing five Russians for allegedly running an unlicensed digital asset business and laundering money through unauthorized financial channels. 

Georgia’s Finance Ministry stated that the suspects were operating a virtual asset service from an unregistered office and utilizing “courier” networks without prior approval from the National Bank. They reportedly conducted virtual asset transactions totaling hundreds of millions of lari over several months, equivalent to roughly $37 million.

During raids in Tbilisi, police seized $721,000 in cash along with documents and computer hardware. The suspects face up to 12 years in prison on charges of unauthorized business activity and laundering illegal income, with tax evasion added in the investigation.

Bangkok arrests Russians accused of AI drug network

Bangkok police have detained two Russian nationals in Thailand and are facing accusations of running a “ghost-like” narcotics distribution network that used artificial intelligence, QR code stickers and crypto payments. 

On Tuesday, Police detained Ivan Volnov, 34, and Mark Maolopuro, 35, at luxury hotels in the capital. The former was found in a property in Soi Ekamai 10, while Maolopuro was arrested in the Ratchada–Sutthisan area.

The arrests came after a month-long multi-agency investigation led by Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau responsible for narcotics, alongside Metropolitan Police Divisions 2 and 6 and the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Centre.

Teeradej’s online patrol team discovered a post on the Facebook page Drama-addict on November 13 with QR code stickers in Russian advertising narcotics. Scans of the QR code directed users to a Telegram channel named “Thai hub Telegram COCAINE KETAMINE MEPH METH MDMA.”

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