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Press Release


BITCOIN FOG OPERATOR SENTENCED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING CONSPIRACY

Friday, November 8, 2024
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For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
Operator of Notorious Darknet Cryptocurrency “Mixer” Laundered $400M in
Cryptocurrency since 2011

A dual Russian-Swedish national was sentenced today to 12 years and six months
in prison for his operation of the longest-running bitcoin money laundering
service on the darknet.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2011 through
2021, Roman Sterlingov, 36, was involved in operating Bitcoin Fog, the darknet’s
longest-running cryptocurrency “mixer.” Over the course of its decade-long
operation, Bitcoin Fog gained notoriety as a go-to money laundering service for
criminals seeking to hide their illicit proceeds from law enforcement and
processed transactions involving over 1.2 million bitcoin, valued at
approximately $400 million at the time the transactions occurred. The bulk of
this cryptocurrency came from darknet marketplaces and was tied to illegal
narcotics, computer crimes, identity theft, and child sexual abuse material.

In March 2024, after a one-month trial, a jury found Sterlingov guilty of money
laundering conspiracy, money laundering, operating an unlicensed money
transmitting business, and money transmission without a license in the District
of Columbia.

In addition to his term of imprisonment, Sterlingov was sentenced to pay a
forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $395,563,025.39, and forfeiture of
seized cryptocurrencies and monetary assets valued at approximately $1.76
million. In addition, Sterlingov was ordered to forfeit his interest in the
Bitcoin Fog wallet, totaling approximately 1,345 bitcoin and currently valued at
more than $103 million.

“Roman Sterlingov ran the longest-running bitcoin money laundering service on
the darknet, and today he paid the price,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa
Monaco. “In the deepest corners of the internet, he provided a home for
criminals of all stripes, from drug traffickers to identity thieves, to store
hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds. Today’s sentence reflects
the Department’s determination to dismantle the criminal networks that enable
criminal actors to flourish and ensure consequences for the criminals operating
them.”

“Roman Sterlingov laundered over $400 million in criminal proceeds through
Bitcoin Fog, his cryptocurrency ‘mixing’ service that was open for business to
criminals looking to hide dirty money,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney
General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal
Division. “Through his illicit money laundering operation, Sterlingov helped
criminals launder proceeds of drug trafficking, computer crime, identity theft,
and the sexual exploitation of children. Today’s sentencing underscores the
Justice Department’s commitment to holding those who facilitate criminal
activity fully accountable for their crimes. I am especially proud of the
dedicated investigators and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to unmask and
prosecute the Bitcoin Fog scheme.”

“As proven at trial, Roman Sterlingov created and used an online tool to process
hundreds of millions in illegal transactions, enabling darknet drug dealers and
those who sell child sexual abuse material, to operate,” said U.S. Attorney
Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Today’s sentence sends an
unmistakable message: those who help criminals with online payments for their
illegal activities will face serious penalties. This prosecution also provides
more proof that we have the skilled investigators and talented prosecutors
needed to hold those who operate these darknet sites accountable.”

“Clearly, Sterlingov’s attempt to shroud his illicit activities in a cloak of
anonymity ultimately failed against the sophisticated collaborative work of our
Criminal Investigation special agents and partners,” said Chief Guy Ficco of IRS
Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Today’s significant prison term and hundreds
of millions in financial sanctions against the defendant emphasizes the
seriousness of this conviction and should serve as a stark notice that this type
of criminal activity will not be tolerated.”

“The prosecution of Roman Sterlingov and the sentence imposed today should serve
as a warning to cybercriminals,” said Assistant Director in Charge David
Sundberg of the FBI. “The FBI will not hesitate to use all tools at its disposal
and will leverage our extensive partnerships to disrupt the cybercriminal
ecosystem and the individuals who provide the key services that facilitate
criminal activity.”

The IRS-CI District of Columbia Cyber Crime Unit and FBI Washington Field Office
investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs
and FBI’s Virtual Asset Unit provided invaluable assistance. Additional
assistance was provided by Japanese, Swedish, Danish, Romanian, and UK
authorities, as well as Europol.

Trial Attorneys Jeff Pearlman and C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s
Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Special Assistant
U.S. Attorney Christopher B. Brown for the District of Columbia are prosecuting
the case. Pelker is a member, and Brown is a former member, of CCIPS’ National
Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team. Former CCIPS Paralegal Specialist Dr. Divya
Ramjee and Paralegal Specialist Angela De Falco for the District of Columbia
provided valuable assistance. 

Updated November 8, 2024

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Topic
Cybercrime
Components
Criminal Division
Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section
Criminal - Office of International Affairs
Office of the Deputy Attorney General
USAO - District of Columbia
Press Release Number: 24-1413



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