In Ukraine, a network of online casinos with Russian influence and cryptocurrency demands for UAH 5 billion were exposed

Two citizens of the Russian Federation and their girlfriend from Ukraine created a large online gambling network. Seven Ukrainians also participated in this scheme.

Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced this. The organizers, through controlled IT companies, launched at least five websites for online casinos. Although some of them initially operated legally, after losing their licenses they created new sites with the same names and continued their illegal activities.

Financial transactions were carried out in cryptocurrency, in particular in stablecoins (USDT). Players sent money to the organizers’ crypto wallets. To legalize their income, the funds were accumulated in the accounts of a company registered in Estonia, after which they were withdrawn to offshore companies.

The total amount of laundered assets exceeded 5 billion hryvnias. The network members are accused of committing crimes as part of an organized group and of illegally organizing gambling. Three organizers were also charged with money laundering.

Two Russian citizens were suspected in absentia, while the Ukrainian woman was notified in person. The whereabouts of the other seven participants are currently being established. Information about their suspicions was sent through their relatives.

The scheme was uncovered thanks to the joint efforts of prosecutors from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Bureau of Economic Security, and the Security Service of Ukraine. Illegal online casinos are a source of shadow income that evades taxes and is often used for money laundering. Any such activity will be stopped.