Russian security agents arrest over 20 in alleged crypto network linked to Ukraine

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Friday it detained more than 20 people it claims worked for unregistered crypto exchange offices used to move money stolen from Russian scam victims to Ukraine.

The arrests took place at Moscow City, the capital’s high-rise business district, the security agency said. It also said that the FSB and the Interior Ministry had shut down nine channels used to transfer funds abroad through cryptocurrency.

“Young people from the Russian regions who are looking for easy money are remotely recruited to work at these crypto exchanges despite having limited financial literacy,” the FSB said.

Authorities explained that the ring it busted relied on call centers in Ukraine that targeted Russians remotely, including pensioners. Victims were allegedly kept on the phone and told in detail how to proceed before being sent to the crypto exchange offices to buy crypto and transfer it to accounts controlled by the alleged criminals.