Russian authorities on Thursday detained four residents of Surgut on suspicion of laundering millions of rubles through virtual currency transactions and using purchased bank cards to commit domestic financial crimes.
According to a statement by Irina Volk, the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the group processed approximately 100 million rubles by transferring illicit funds through the bank accounts of people who paid for the return of their cards.
These individuals were intermediaries, known locally as “droppers,” who helped criminals move funds without directly involving them in fraudulent transactions. Three of the suspects are in custody and the fourth is under travel restrictions pending an investigation.
Bank cards purchased for money laundering scheme
According to the investigation, the four suspects purchased several bank cards from Russian citizens and paid a fee for access to a valid account. Volk told local news outlets that illegally obtained funds were funneled into these accounts and rerouted by groups believed to be providing cash conversion services and cryptocurrency conversion to criminal clients.
The group removed funds from accounts, converted the money into digital assets, and transferred the digital currency they received to individuals Bork calls “curators.” He said the suspects charged fees ranging from 3% to 15% for their services.
One virtual currency exchange, which the Ministry did not specify, reported that the turnover related to the group’s transactions exceeded 94 million rubles. Bork did not say which exchange provided the information or who authorities believe the curator was.
Russian Interior Ministry officials, along with security officials, claimed that the purchased bank cards were used for theft from remote locations within Russia, including unauthorized withdrawals and digital fraud.
A criminal case was opened under Part 5 of Article 187 of the Russian Criminal Code, which provides for illegal transactions in payment instruments.
Russian authorities warn crypto holders of hybrid attacks
In late 2025, Russian cybersecurity experts are warning the public that hybrid crypto-related attacks against their owners are on the rise. Local news outlet Business Petersburg spoke to several experts who said victims face both digital intrusions and physical threats to reveal private keys, wallets and personal information.
Kaspersky Lab’s chief technology expert, Alexander Gostev, told BP that hackers have begun to use information leaked from online verification platforms and social media to create detailed documentation of digital asset holders.
Cryptopolitan reported In mid-October, we reported on Georgia authorities’ arrest of five Russian nationals on suspicion of operating an unlicensed digital asset business and laundering money through unlicensed financial channels.
The Georgia Department of Treasury announced that the suspects operated virtual asset services from unregistered offices and used a “courier” network without prior approval from the national bank. Over several months, they reportedly made virtual asset transactions totaling hundreds of millions of lair, worth approximately $37 million.
During the raid in Tbilisi, police seized $721,000 in cash, along with documents and computer hardware. The suspects face up to 12 years in prison for unlicensed business activities and illegal income laundering, and the investigation also includes tax evasion.
Bangkok arrests Russian man on suspicion of AI drug network
Bangkok police have detained two Russian nationals in Thailand, accused of running a “ghostly” drug distribution network using artificial intelligence, QR code stickers and cryptocurrency payments.
On Tuesday, police detained Ivan Volnov, 34, and Mark Maolopoulou, 35, at a luxury hotel in the capital. The former was found on the premises of Soi Ekamai 10, while Maoropulo was arrested in the Ratchada Suthisan area.
The arrests followed a month-long multi-agency investigation led by Pol Maj Gene Teeradej Tumstee, Deputy Director-General of the Metropolitan Police Department in charge of narcotics, along with the Metropolitan Police Department’s 2nd and 6th Divisions and the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Enforcement Centre.
On November 13, TeeraDigi’s online patrol team discovered a post on the Facebook page “Drama Addiction” with a QR code sticker of Russian drug propaganda. After scanning the QR code, users were directed to a Telegram channel named “Thai Hub Telegram COCAINE KETAMINE MEPH METH MDMA.”
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