The U.S. Division of the Treasury’s Workplace of International Belongings Management (OFAC) has sanctioned Russian nationwide Ekaterina Zhdanova for laundering thousands and thousands in cryptocurrency for varied people, together with ransomware actors.
Zhdanova used her experience in cryptocurrency and blockchain networks to maneuver cash via varied platforms comparable to Garantex (sanctioned in April 2022 for aiding the Hydra Market) to evade “Anti-Cash Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism” (AML/CFT) controls.
A report from blockchain evaluation agency Chainalisys supplied further details about Zhdanova’s public companies, which can or might not be a part of her intricate cash laundering schemes.
Each OFAC and Chainalysis be aware that Zhdanova additionally leveraged her connections to an intensive international community of different cash launderers to additional obscure her monetary actions actions and entry a extra conventional clientele.
Serving to Ryuk ransomware affiliate
Zhdanova can also be believed to have laundered over $2,300,000 of suspected ransom funds made to 1 affiliate of the Ryuk ransomware operation.
The Ryuk gang was energetic between 2018 and 2021 and went rampant with assaults on organizations in any sector, together with healthcare through the pandemic, and extorting victims for the highest quantity doable.
Zhdanova’s system to cover the unlawful origin of the Ryuk affiliate’s cash concerned a fraudulently opened funding account and making actual property purchases.
Apparently, one other Russian citizen who laundered cash for the Ryuk ransomware gang for 3 years was extradited from the Netherlands and not too long ago pleaded responsible within the U.S.
Aside from ransomware, Zhdanova additionally assisted Russian oligarchs in evading sanctions imposed by the Western world in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a single case, she facilitated the switch of over $100 million on behalf of a Russian oligarch to the United Arab Emirates. Authorities have additionally confirmed a number of circumstances the place she organized for Russian shoppers to acquire UAE tax residency, ID playing cards, and financial institution accounts.
Because of the OFAC sanctions, Ekaterina Zhdanova may have all her U.S.-based belongings frozen, whereas U.S. individuals and entities might be prohibited from partaking in any transactions together with her.
