Summary: The US Justice Department seized the online infrastructure of Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange involved in significant money laundering and sanctions violations. Alongside the shutdown, two individuals were indicted for their roles in facilitating these illicit activities, including laundering billions in cryptocurrency transactions. The operation also saw international law enforcement collaboration to freeze funds and control servers linked to Garantex’s operations.
Affected: Garantex cryptocurrency exchange
Keypoints :
- Three domain names linked to Garantex were seized, effectively shutting down the exchange.
- Garantex processed over billion in cryptocurrency transactions and was connected to ransomware and organized crime.
- Indicted individuals include Aleksej Besciokov and Aleksandr Mira Serda, accused of leading operations and hiding criminal activities.
- Over million linked to money laundering activities has been frozen during the operation.
- The exchange faced US sanctions in April 2022 for its role in laundering funds from illicit sources.
Source: https://www.securityweek.com/us-seize-garantex-in-cryptocurrency-money-laundering-bust/