Summary:
U.S. Department of Justice indicts three Russian citizens for operating crypto mixers.
Blender.io and Sinbad.io used for laundering funds from ransomware and wire fraud.
Services seized in 2023 during an international law enforcement operation.
Arrests made on December 1, 2024; one suspect remains at large.
Charges could lead to up to 30 years in prison for the accused.
Overview
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictments of three Russian citizensâRoman Vitalyevich Ostapenko, Alexander Evgenievich Oleynik, and Anton Vyachlavovich Tarasovâfor their involvement in operating Blender.io and Sinbad.io, two notorious crypto mixing services.
Allegations
These mixers allegedly served as safe havens for laundering criminally derived funds, including proceeds from ransomware attacks and wire fraud. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent Wible stated that these services facilitated state-sponsored hacking groups and cybercriminals, jeopardizing both public safety and national security.
Seizure and Arrests
In 2023, Blender.io and Sinbad.io were seized during an international law enforcement operation. The mixers are suspected of being utilized by North Korean hackers, who have become adept at laundering stolen cryptocurrency. Ostapenko and Oleynik were arrested on December 1, 2024, while Tarasov remains at large.
Legal Consequences
The charges against Ostapenko include money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Oleynik and Tarasov face conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, with potential sentences of up to 30 years in prison.
The seizure notice displayed on the website of Sinbad, a Bitcoin mixing service accused of helping North Korean hackers launder stolen crypto.
Image Credits: Sinbad (screen capture)
Comments