Europol Disrupts AudiA6 Crypto Laundering Service Used by Ransomware Gangs
Summary: Europol said authorities disrupted AudiA6, a cryptocurrency laundering service used by ransomware gangs, which is estimated to have laundered more than €336 million (~$389 million) since launching in 2021. The June 10, 2026 operation led to two arrests - Ruslan Igorevich Tkachuk, 37, and Alexander Vladimirovich Ledenev, 25 - whom the U.S. DoJ charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and sting money laundering, each facing up to 20 years in prison.
Why it matters: Of roughly 10,333 bitcoin deposited, about 393.39 BTC (around $19,234,331 at the time) came directly from known darknet markets, ransomware organizations, and cybercrime services - and the service was linked to more than 15 investigations worldwide before it was taken down.
Read the original at The Hacker News ↗
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