Operation Destabilise: NCA Topples Russian Money Laundering Titans, Seizes £20 Million
Operation Destabilise has shaken the money-laundering world, arresting 84 suspects and seizing £20 million. The Russian-speaking networks Smart and TGR have been using their services to help Russian elites and cybercriminals evade sanctions and launder funds, proving once again that crime doesn’t pay—unless you’re paying in cryptocurrency.
Hot Take:
Looks like the U.K.’s National Crime Agency has just given Russian money launderers a one-way ticket to the “you’re in big trouble now” club. With Operation Destabilise, they’ve not only made a dent in international crime but also reminded us that crime doesn’t pay… especially in cryptocurrency!
Key Points:
- Operation Destabilise led to the arrest of 84 suspects and the seizure of £20 million in cash and cryptocurrency.
- The operation targeted Russian-speaking networks, Smart and TGR, based in Moscow’s Federation Tower.
- The U.S. Treasury sanctioned five individuals and four entities associated with the TGR Group.
- Ekaterina Zhdanova, head of the Smart Group, was sanctioned for laundering cryptocurrency for cybercriminals.
- The networks facilitated services like laundering funds, evading sanctions, and funding espionage operations.
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