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Fraud

Justice Department Seizes Over $2.8 Million in Ransomware-Related Cryptocurrency Assets

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Federal authorities, including the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, have taken significant action to disrupt and dismantle global ransomware operations. The U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Northern District of Texas have unsealed six warrants authorizing the seizure of over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury vehicle controlled by Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko. Antropenko is charged with conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, computer fraud and abuse, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. As alleged in the indictment, Antropenko used Zeppelin ransomware to target a wide range of individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide, including in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed six warrants for the seizure of over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury vehicle controlled by Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, who is charged with conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, computer fraud and abuse, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
  • Antropenko used Zeppelin ransomware to target and attack a wide range of individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide, including in the United States, encrypting and exfiltrating data and demanding ransom payments.
  • The seized cryptocurrency was laundered in various ways, including through the use of the cryptocurrency mixing service ChipMixer, which was taken down in a coordinated international operation in 2023.
  • Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson for the Northern District of Texas made the announcement, along with FBI officials and prosecutors.
  • The case is being investigated by the FBI Dallas and Norfolk Field Offices and the Virtual Assets Unit, with significant assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elyse Lyons, Joseph Kosky, and Kevin Hudson.
  • The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and obtained court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds since 2020.

Statistics:

  • $2.8 million in cryptocurrency has been seized from Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko's cryptocurrency wallet.
  • $70,000 in cash has been seized in connection with Antropenko's alleged ransomware activity.
  • The seized assets are proceeds of (or were involved in laundering the proceeds of) ransomware activity.
  • Over 180 cybercriminals have been convicted by CCIPS since 2020.
  • Over $350 million in victim funds has been recovered by CCIPS since 2020.
  • Over $200 million in ransom payments has been prevented from being paid to ransomware groups by CCIPS and its partners.

Sources:

  • US State of California The Department of Justice
  • US State of California The Department of Justice (as cited in the original text)
  • MIL OSI USA News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/) - Copyright 2025 Multimedia Investments Ltd, distributed by Contify.com (as cited in the original text)

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