Russia Busts Unregistered Crypto Exchanges Tied to Ukrainian Call Centers
Russian authorities have cracked down on nine unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges in Moscow that were allegedly used to launder money stolen via phone scams.
The exchanges, which were not registered in Russia, were linked to call centers in Ukraine and had been operating for some time, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Over 20 employees of the unregistered exchange operations were detained at Moscow City, one of the capital's main business districts.
The FSB stated that the exchanges were part of a scheme where scam operators would lead victims through a step-by-step process to transfer funds, often targeting pensioners and other vulnerable individuals.
Couriers, some as young as 18 years old, were allegedly recruited to collect money from victims and deliver it to crypto exchange locations.