Russian nationals arrested by US, accused of running crypto mixers Blender and Sinbad

Summary: Three Russian nationals have been indicted for their involvement in operating cryptocurrency mixing services Blender.io and Sinbad.io, which were used to launder funds for cybercriminals, including North Korea’s Lazarus Group. The U.S. Department of Justice, in collaboration with international law enforcement, has taken significant steps to dismantle these platforms and hold the operators accountable.

Threat Actor: Lazarus Group | Lazarus Group
Victim: Various cryptocurrency theft victims | cryptocurrency theft victims

Key Point :

• Roman Vitalyevich Ostapenko and Alexander Evgenievich Oleynik were arrested, while Anton Vyachlavovich Tarasov remains at large.
• Blender.io and Sinbad.io were used to launder funds from significant cyber thefts, including those linked to North Korean hackers.
• The U.S. has imposed sanctions on both platforms for facilitating money laundering activities.
• International cooperation was crucial in the takedown of these services, with contributions from law enforcement in the Netherlands, Australia, and Finland.
• The defendants face severe penalties, including up to 30 years in prison.