France Charges Telegram’s Pavel Durov, Sets Bail at €5 Million

Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, is still in hot water in France, facing multiple criminal charges linked to activities on his messaging platform. The French court reportedly set his bail at €5 million, and he’s now prohibited from leaving the country. French Authorities Charge Telegram CEO Durov After Durov was taken into custody last … Read more

Russian Cybercriminal Extradited to US in Crypto Crime Case

A Russian cybercriminal, Deniss Zolotarjovs, has been charged in the U.S. with crimes related to his involvement in a cybercrime organization known for extorting victims and laundering cryptocurrency. The 33-year-old Moscow resident was indicted in Cincinnati, Ohio, on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, and Hobbs Act extortion. Arrested in Georgia in … Read more

Man Faces 20-Year Prison Sentence in Crypto Money Laundering Case

A Rhode Island resident has pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy linked to an international drug trafficking ring. The operation laundered over $25 million using cryptocurrency, with Villa directly involved in converting cash into crypto. Villa faces up to 20 years in prison and a significant fine. Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty in $25 Million … Read more

German Authority Seizes 13 Unauthorized Crypto ATMs

Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has seized 13 unauthorized cryptocurrency ATMs in a nationwide operation involving 60 officers and raids on 35 locations. BaFin reported that the machines facilitated illegal transactions and posed money laundering risks. Under German law, trading currencies, including cryptocurrencies, without proper authorization is illegal, with violators facing up to five … Read more

Highest Court of China Moves to List Virtual Asset Transactions as a Money-Laundering Tool

The Supreme People’s Court of China, the highest court of law in the country, and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate have issued a joint document that interprets the current money laundering law and defines several issues related to its application. In this interpretation, the two organizations list virtual asset transactions as one of the tools available … Read more

Indian Authority Arrests Man in Crypto Extortion Case

A Gujarat-based man, Shailesh Babulal Bhatt, was arrested under the anti-money laundering law in connection with kidnapping and extortion cases, including a significant cryptocurrency-related crime exceeding Rs 1,200 crore ($144 million), according to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Bhatt was taken into custody following a money-laundering probe initiated by the ED based on FIRs filed by … Read more

Nigeria Seizes $37.5M in Digital Assets After Court Grants Freezing Order

The Nigerian government has seized approximately $37.5 million in digital assets from the organizers of the Endbadgovernance protests. The funds were frozen by a court order based on a claim by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which alleged that the money was linked to money laundering and terrorism financing. Nigerians Feel Economic Pain The … Read more

7 Indicted in $300,000 Queens Bitcoin Theft, Say Prosecutors

Seven individuals have been indicted for stealing over $300,000 in bitcoin from a Queens resident. The charges against them include grand larceny, money laundering, and identity theft, stemming from a lengthy investigation into a cryptocurrency wallet hack. Using advanced hacking techniques, the group allegedly stole the bitcoin and now face potential sentences of five to … Read more