Legalizers of cryptocurrencies have been detained in an international operation

Law enforcers inform that the Cybercrime Bureau of Cybercrime, in cooperation with the Ukrainian National Police and the German law enforcement agencies, has been searching for Ukrainian citizens during an international Europol. The Ukrainians acted as part of an organized group that provides legalization of cryptocurrencies internationally, derived from various investment frauds.

During an investigation into the « Shamining » criminal group « Shamining », the VP found the money laundering in cryptocurrency, which is in the nature of international organized crime.

The Shamining investment fraud scheme has been operating since the beginning of 2021, with the advertising of the so -called « cloud -based cryptocurrency mining » services on the Internet, which offered the opportunity to invest and remotely rent third -party computing capacity, allegedly used to generate virtual assets and later promised as dividends. The group members created a special web platform and shell companies to imitate the project and scam out of the victims, law enforcement explains.

During the parallel financial investigation, the VP opened the wallets used by the criminals. Police conducted an in -depth analysis of cryptocurrency transactions and tracked the flow of funds from the victims to possible suspects.

The main cryptocurrency wallet used in the fraudulent scheme received 154.6 bitcoins (BTC), which is nearly $ 13 million. Currently, the total loss of at least $ 300,000. Among the victims are citizens of the United States, Latvia, Israel, Malta, Spain and other countries.

Three Ukrainian citizens in this criminal scheme were awarded the role of accomplice – they acted as money legalizers, or so -called « money mules ». In order to hide illegally obtained funds, they were first credited to the digital wallets of these persons and then transferred to the accounts controlled by the organizers or removed in cash.

During the investigation, it was found that all Ukrainian citizens involved in the scheme are relatives. Two of them went to Germany in Ukraine after a full -scale invasion, while the third still lives in Ukraine, Dnipro.

By fulfilling the request of Latvian legal aid, Ukrainian police have made several searches in Dnipro’s suspects and registration addresses. The Cybercrime Bureau of Cybercrime, with the support of Europol, was searching and other procedural activities in Germany.

Two suspects of staying in Germany, as well as their accomplice living in Dnipro, have been suspected in accordance with Article 195, Paragraph three of the Criminal Law. This is due to imprisonment of up to 12 years and confiscation of property.

Investigators have obtained a media containing evidence of illegal activities. Pre -trial investigation and international cooperation are ongoing, the VP points out.

In criminal proceedings, more than EUR 100,000 in the cryptocurrency has been arrested in the equivalent of which will be decided by the court in the court for criminal property.