Russian police arrest 300 in major crypto scam bust

Russian authorities have arrested over 300 individuals in Moscow during a major crackdown on an alleged international cryptocurrency scam ring. The Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed that the group operated several fraudulent call centres, using around 500 workstations to target victims in over 20 countries. The suspects reportedly persuaded individuals to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms before disappearing with their funds.

Investigators believe the ring was tied to a broader international network led by Yegor Burkin, a fugitive associated with the Khimprom organised crime group, also known for drug smuggling activities. Police claimed that some stolen funds may have been used to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, adding a geopolitical angle to the case.

Officials highlighted the increasing sophistication of crypto scams, with fraudsters using spoofed phone numbers, fake documents, and professional terminology to appear legitimate. The Ministry warned that such scams are on the rise, with many targeting foreign nationals and employing multilingual staff to reach victims worldwide.