Russia Raids Unregistered Crypto Exchanges, Detains Over 20 Workers

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained over 20 workers in raids on nine unregistered cryptocurrency exchange services operating from Moscow's business district.

The operation, which took place at the Moscow International Business Center, targeted alleged money laundering schemes tied to phone scams. Authorities claim the exchanges were used to convert stolen funds into cryptocurrency and send them to Ukrainian coordinators.

Crypto exchange workers and couriers face fraud charges for selling cryptocurrency to victims, including pensioners who were influenced by scammers. The funds were allegedly transferred to accounts belonging to Ukrainian handlers.

The FSB also detained alleged accomplices between the ages of 18 and 25 who worked as couriers, collecting cash from defrauded individuals and delivering it to crypto exchange points for conversion.