Ukraine blocks exchangers using Russian payment systems
Webmoney exchanges exposed in Ukraine (Photo: Getty Images)
Detectives from the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine and the cyber experts of the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) have uncovered a shadow scheme of money transfers through prohibited Russian payment systems YooMoney and WebMoney in Ukraine. During the searches, they seized 60 million hryvnias, reported by the Bureau's press service.
According to the press service, underground exchange points conducted transactions of cryptocurrencies, electronic money, and Russian rubles without proper accounting and tax records, using forged documents for transfers, payment cards, and more.
"The money laundering was carried out in the interests of the aggressor country's special services, representatives of the hacker community, as well as clients from the high-risk segment," the statement said.
Searches and seizure of money
Law enforcement searched the addresses of platform owners in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Rivne, and Sumy.
The Economic Security Bureau's employees identified and documented the withdrawal of Russian currency through the mentioned exchange points.
As a result of 22 searches, funds in US dollars, euros, Polish zlotys, British pounds, Swiss francs, etc., were discovered and seized, totaling nearly 60 million hryvnias.
Technical equipment used to record operations on transactions and conversions of electronic money, cryptocurrencies, and Russian rubles was also confiscated.
At present, one of the suspects has been notified of the suspicion of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 200 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal actions with documents for transfers, payment cards, and other means of access to bank accounts, electronic money, equipment for their production). Evidence of involvement in the mentioned unlawful activity has been documented against two other individuals, and motions for bringing them under suspicion are being prepared.
As a reminder, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the NBU (National Bank of Ukraine) banned the circulation of the Russian ruble in Ukraine and financial transactions with the aggressor country.
