The FSB reported that over 20 individuals were apprehended in connection with a scheme that defrauded an unknown number of Russian citizens.
By Olivier Acuna|Edited by Jamie Crawley Aug 7, 2026, 2:04 p.m. 1 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on Russia's federal security agency stated that the arrests were part of a crackdown on criminals accused of defrauding citizens to support Ukraine's military efforts. (Ivan Lapyri/Unsplash)SummaryShow- Russia’s Federal Security Service announced the detention of over 20 individuals in Moscow City for allegedly running unregistered crypto exchanges that facilitated the transfer of funds from Russian scam victims to Ukraine.
- Officials indicated that the alleged operation utilized Ukrainian call centers to target Russian citizens, including elderly individuals, guiding them to purchase cryptocurrency and send it to accounts controlled by the suspects.
- The FSB reported the closure of nine channels used for transferring funds abroad via cryptocurrency but did not specify the exchanges, cryptocurrencies involved, or the total amount stolen, nor did it provide evidence of Ukrainian coordination.
On Friday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the detention of more than 20 individuals accused of operating unlicensed crypto exchange offices that allegedly moved money taken from Russian scam victims to Ukraine.
The arrests were made in Moscow City, the capital’s business district, according to the security agency. The FSB, in collaboration with the Interior Ministry, also claimed to have shut down nine channels used for cryptocurrency transfers abroad.
“Young individuals from various Russian regions, seeking easy money, are recruited remotely to work at these crypto exchanges, often with limited financial knowledge,” stated the FSB.
Authorities explained that the criminal network relied on call centers in Ukraine to remotely target Russian citizens, including pensioners. Victims were reportedly kept engaged over the phone with detailed instructions before being directed to the crypto exchange offices where they purchased cryptocurrency and transferred it to accounts controlled by the alleged perpetrators.
The agency did not disclose the names of the crypto exchanges or the cryptocurrencies used in the scams, nor did it provide information on the total sums defrauded from Russian victims. Additionally, there was no evidence presented to substantiate claims of coordination with Ukrainian call centers.
Earlier this year, Russia banned the Ukrainian-founded cryptocurrency exchange WhiteBit as part of its ongoing efforts to target entities believed to be supporting Ukraine’s military operations.
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