Federal authorities have seized more than $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury vehicle as part of an investigation into ransomware activities. The seizures were authorized by six warrants unsealed in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Texas, Eastern District of Virginia, and Central District of California.
According to the Department of Justice, all cryptocurrency was taken from a wallet controlled by Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko. Antropenko is charged by indictment in the Northern District of Texas with conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, committing computer fraud and abuse, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that Antropenko used Zeppelin ransomware to attack individuals, businesses, and organizations globally, including targets in the United States. The indictment states that Antropenko and his coconspirators encrypted victims’ data and demanded ransom payments for decryption or to prevent publication or deletion of the stolen data.
Authorities claim that the assets seized are proceeds from ransomware operations or were involved in laundering those proceeds. The warrants allege that funds were laundered through various methods such as using ChipMixer—a cryptocurrency mixing service dismantled in 2023 during an international law enforcement operation—and by converting cryptocurrency into cash via structured deposits.
“Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson for the Northern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans of the FBI Norfolk Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI Dallas Field Office made the announcement.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Dallas and Norfolk Field Offices along with its Virtual Assets Unit. Prosecution is led by Trial Attorney Benjamin Bleiberg from the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jongwoo “Daniel” Chung for the Northern District of Texas; forfeiture assistance is provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyse Lyons for that district. Additional support comes from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Kosky and Kevin Hudson for the Eastern District of Virginia.
CCIPS works with domestic and international agencies on cybercrime cases while collaborating with private sector partners. Since 2020, CCIPS has achieved convictions against over 180 cybercriminals and helped recover more than $350 million for victims through court orders; it has also played a role in disrupting multiple ransomware groups which prevented over $200 million in ransom payments.
“An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
