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Russia arrests more than 20 over alleged unlicensed crypto exchange scam
The FSB said the scheme shut down nine channels used to move funds abroad through cryptocurrency, but it did not name the exchanges, tokens, or total stolen amounts.
CoinDesk reports that Russia’s Federal Security Service said it detained more than 20 people in Moscow City accused of running unregistered crypto exchange offices.
According to the FSB, the alleged operation used Ukrainian call centers to target Russian citizens, including pensioners, and instructed victims to buy cryptocurrency at the offices and transfer it to accounts controlled by the suspects.
The agency said it shut down nine channels used to move money abroad via crypto, but it did not identify the exchanges involved, the specific cryptocurrencies, or the total sums stolen.
CoinDesk adds that Russia has been stepping up scrutiny of firms it says support Ukraine’s war effort, including a ban on Ukrainian-founded exchange WhiteBit in January.