Russian law enforcement detained almost 100 suspects linked to the Cryptex cryptocurrency exchange, the UAPS anonymous payment service, and 33 other online services and platforms used to make illegal payments and sell stolen credentials. Following 148 raids, 96 individuals were arrested and charged with organizing and participating in a criminal organization, unlawful access to computer information, illegal payment processing, and illegal banking activities. "According to investigators, in 2013, defendants, possessing knowledge in the field of banking, created a criminal community to commit crimes and personal enrichment," according to a press release issued by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (ICR), the leading federal investigating authority in Russia.
"The accomplices carried out illegal activities in exchanging currencies and cryptocurrencies, delivering and accepting cash, and selling bank cards and personal accounts. The main clients of these services were cybercriminals and hackers who used them to legalize their criminal income." Ministry of Internal Affairs Irina Volk told Interfax that "the defendants issued bank cards and provided access to transactions through a personal online account.
" Russian investigators found that in 2023 alone, the criminal network's services processed over 112 billion rubles (just over $1.1 billion), generating 3.7 billion rubles (around $38.
7 million) in illicit income for those involved. According to ICR spokesper.