U.S. DOJ sentences Indian cryptocurrency vendor Anurag Pramod Murarka to 121 months for laundering $20M via darknet platforms and a hawala community.
Cryptocurrency Laundering Scheme Ends in Jail Sentence
The U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) has sentenced Indian nationwide Anurag Pramod Murarka, 30, to 121 months in jail for laundering greater than $20 million in cryptocurrency. The scheme concerned darknet transactions and a fancy worldwide hawala community. U.S. District Choose Gregory Van Tatenhove handed down the sentence on January 17, following Murarka’s coordinated efforts to disguise funds linked to legal enterprises corresponding to hacking and drug trafficking.
Murarka operated underneath aliases like “elonmuskwhm” and “la2nyc” on encrypted platforms to facilitate unlawful cryptocurrency exchanges. The DOJ outlined his course of: shoppers despatched cryptocurrency to designated pockets addresses in alternate for money delivered by way of hawala channels. His U.S.-based staff used inventive strategies, corresponding to hiding money in books or envelopes, to finish transactions.
Hawala Community Uncovered
Murarka’s hawala operation originated in India, leveraging cryptocurrency’s pseudonymity to obscure the illicit origins of funds. The DOJ described how his staff collected, packaged, and distributed money, sustaining a seamless cycle of laundering cash for different criminals.
Upon Murarka’s arrest, the FBI took management of his operation to dismantle the community. This undercover motion recovered hundreds of thousands in proceeds, prevented monetary account takeovers, and led to the seizure of counterfeit medication and associated paraphernalia.
U.S. Legal professional Speaks on Case
U.S. Legal professional Carlton S. Shier, IV, highlighted the case’s severity:
The defendant assisted numerous criminals in concealing stolen cash and drug proceeds. This sentence sends a transparent message concerning the penalties of laundering funds via cryptocurrencies and unregulated networks.
Murarka will serve at the least 85% of his sentence and face three years of probation upon launch.
Keep knowledgeable about cryptocurrency associated authorized developments by following DOJ updates and case rulings.
