United States Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that an alleged crypto asset launderer Denis Mihaqlovic Dubnikov is getting extradited to the US. The Russian citizen was arrested in the Netherlands and is subjected to face charges in District Court of Oregon.
According to the Justice Department, a federal grand jury charged Dubnikov in Portland citing his possible role in the money laundering case. In August, 2021, an international crypto money laundering scheme was planned in which Russian citizens allegedly took part.
The statements in an official press release suggests that Dubnikov along with his companions were aware of laundering the money raised after the ransomware attacks. These attacks were said to be carried out on different individuals and institutions all across the country and even in foregin lands.
Further it was noted that the Russian citizen and other people involved in the conspiracy were accused of ransom money laundering amassed after the Ryuk ransomware attacks. There were governments, healthcare sector, academies, manufacturing units and even tech companies to get affected from the Ryuk’s attacks. Infamous hacking group Wizard Spider is said to be behind the ransomware attack.
The DOJ said that Ryuk, Dubnikov and other participants in the laundering were involved in the conspiracy. They initiated a few financial transactions soon after the money received in ransom payments. This transaction also has some part of international financial transactions and this was done with the intention of hiding the crucial details of the payment including location, source, ownership, nature and control of the proceeds.
About 400,000 USD worth funds Dubnikov alone is said to launder after the proceeds from the Ryuk ranson in July, 2019. However, other participants in the laundering were responsible of laundering at least 70 million USD. In last November, the alleged money launderer was arrested from Amsterdam. On August 17th, after his extradition to the US, he was presented in District of Oregon’s federal court.
Source: https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2022/08/21/alleged-crypto-money-launderer-handed-over-to-the-united-states/