For the first time in history, Ukraine has arrested and transferred crypto assets of a transnational hacker group worth over UAH 372 million to the management of ARMA, reported the State Bureau of Investigation on Monday, writes UNN.
Details
"Based on the materials of the criminal proceedings investigated by the SBI in cooperation with the National Police's DVB and U.S. law enforcement agencies, for the first time in Ukraine's history, virtual assets of an organized transnational hacker group have been arrested and transferred to the management of ARMA. Over 8.3 million USDT, which at the current exchange rate amounts to over UAH 372 million, have been transferred to the crypto wallet of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency," the SBI statement reads.
The investigation established that "the virtual assets were on crypto wallets controlled by one of the members of the international hacker group." "The suspects carried out cyber attacks on citizens and companies in European countries and the USA, stole confidential information, demanded ransoms, and laundered the obtained funds in Ukraine through the purchase of real estate, cars, and other high-value property," the SBI reported.
According to preliminary estimates, as noted by the SBI, the damage from the criminal group's activities exceeds USD 100 million.
"Four members of the group have been detained during the pre-trial investigation, including its organizer. All have been placed in custody as a preventive measure," the statement says.
In total, as stated, the criminal proceedings have "seized assets worth over USD 11.1 million, including residential houses, apartments, cars, USD 1 million in cash, and virtual assets equivalent to over USD 8.3 million."
"After converting the crypto assets into fiat funds, it is planned to purchase military bonds, which will be another contribution of the State Bureau of Investigation to support our state's economy during martial law," the SBI reported.