FSB Raids Moscow City Crypto Exchanges Over Alleged Scam Network
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) raided several crypto exchanges in Moscow City, detaining over 20 people suspected of operating an alleged scam network. The FSB claims these exchanges were used by Ukrainian call centers to launder money stolen from Russians through cryptocurrency sales.
According to the FSB, young people lacking financial literacy were remotely recruited from Russian regions to staff the exchanges, which were allegedly used to sell cryptocurrency to Russian citizens, including retirees who had fallen victim to scammers. The funds were then transferred to Ukrainian handlers' accounts.
The authorities also detained couriers between 18 and 25 years old who collected money from defrauded citizens and passed it on to the crypto exchanges. Investigators have opened criminal cases against those detained for large-scale fraud, with potential prison sentences of up to 10 years.