Russian security services detained over 20 people at Moscow City crypto offices, alleging the sites funneled money stolen by Ukrainian call centers.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained more than 20 individuals working at cryptocurrency exchange offices located in the Moscow City business complex. Authorities allege these exchanges were used to move money stolen from Russian citizens, including retirees, to accounts controlled by Ukrainian handlers. Security forces shut down nine channels described as being coordinated from abroad to facilitate the illegal transfer of funds out of Russia.

Recruitment and Operations

According to the FSB, the exchanges recruited young people from various Russian regions who lacked financial literacy and were seeking quick income. Additionally, authorities detained couriers aged 18 to 25 who allegedly collected funds from defrauded citizens and delivered them to the crypto exchanges. The Interior Ministry has initiated criminal cases for large-scale fraud, with potential prison sentences of up to 10 years for those involved.

Detainee Claims and Scams

Video footage released by the FSB shows detainees during the raids, with some individuals claiming they believed they were working for the FSB or the Federal Financial Monitoring Service. One detainee reported being instructed by people posing as security officials to move his money to cancel a fraudulent power of attorney, eventually being told to work for the Russian Cash-in-Transit Association. He later stated he realized he had been following the instructions of scammers.