A Moscow Russia investigator allegedly extorted Bitcoin Bribe from arrested hackers. Now, Crystal Blockchain discovered the coins moved to exchanges.
Blog City Contents
Bitcoin Bribe
In a shocking turn of events, a criminal investigator in Moscow has been arrested for accepting a Bitcoin bribe. This arrest has brought attention to a massive case involving an astonishing amount of Bitcoin.
As the investigation unfolds, some of the evidence linked to the crime has mysteriously found its way to cryptocurrency exchanges.
The movement of these coins has been tracked by Crystal Blockchain, a renowned blockchain intelligence firm. This article dives into the intricate details surrounding the arrest, the bribe, and the subsequent actions involving the confiscated Bitcoin.
The Disgraced Law Enforcement Officer
Marat Tambiev, a mid-ranking officer from Russia’s Investigative Committee, has found himself at the center of a scandal. In January 2022,
Tambiev made headlines when he apprehended multiple members of the notorious Russian cybercriminal group known as the Infraud Organization.
Two of these members were sentenced to US federal prison for trading stolen credit card and personal data.
The Bitcoin Bribe
During the investigation, it was uncovered that the hackers arrested by Tambiev, namely Mark and Konstantin Bergman and Denis Samokutyayevsky, allegedly offered a bribe of 1,032 BTC to ensure Tambiev would not confiscate all their cryptocurrency.
This information was revealed by the Russian newspaper Kommersant. However, a piece of a court document with the blockchain addresses partially redacted was shared on an anonymous Russian-language Telegram channel, implying that just a fraction of the bribe was legally confiscated.
The hackers themselves claim that they sent Tambiev a much larger sum of crypto, specifically 2,718 BTC. According to the publication Arguments and Facts, the funds were transferred through their attorney, Roman Meyer.
Interestingly, Vadim Bagaturya, a lawyer at the same law firm as Tambiev’s attorney, provided additional confirmation of the higher bribe amount. Bagaturya posted evidence of the initial bribe of 2,718 BTC on his Telegram channel.
The Confiscation and the Missing Bitcoin
While the Investigative Committee officially seized 1,032 BTC and secured them as material evidence, the whereabouts of the remaining bribe, consisting of 1,686 BTC, remains unknown.
Furthermore, it’s unclear what Tambiev did with the confiscated Bitcoin, as he was subsequently arrested for bribery, and his laptop, which contained the Bitcoin, was confiscated as well.
The Unveiling of Tambiev’s Secrets
As the story unfolds, more details emerge from the hackers’ perspective. According to the interrogation transcript of Konstantin Bergman, two days after their arrest, Tambiev proposed a deal through their attorney.
The offer entailed returning the majority of their Bitcoins if they agreed to give Tambiev half of their current holdings. Accepting this arrangement, the hackers agreed and were subsequently released on bail by a Moscow district court.
The three hackers arranged to see Tambiev at the Investigative Committee’s headquarters later that day.
Together, they meticulously went through their crypto wallets and discovered they collectively possessed a total of 5,212.9 BTC. Tambiev received 2,718.66 BTC as per the agreement, while the remaining Bitcoin remained in the hackers’ possession.
Tambiev’s “Retirement” Fund
In March 2022, Tambiev faced his own arrest, leading to a search of his Moscow apartment. It was during this search that Tambiev’s colleagues stumbled upon a significant discovery.
On his MacBook, they discovered a file named “Retirement” containing photographs of handwritten notes. These notes contained seed phrases for two cryptocurrency wallets.
During the subsequent investigation, authorities managed to access the wallets and found a staggering 931.1 BTC and 100 BTC stored within them.
The Bitcoins were then moved from one Ledger Nano X hardware wallet address to another. At last, they were placed in a safe place as evidence.
The Financial Discrepancy
The information obtained during the investigation shed light on the financial aspect of Tambiev’s actions. Over his 11-year tenure at the Investigative Committee, Tambiev earned a total salary of approximately $134,300, as stated in the leaked charging documents by the Prosecutor General’s Office.
The shocking disparity between his official income and the cryptocurrency holdings is highlighted by the fact that his salary is less than one percent of the value of the Bitcoin located in his wallets.
Conclusion
The arrest of Marat Tambiev, a criminal investigator in Moscow, for accepting a Bitcoin bribe has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community.
As the investigation unfolds, it becomes evident that this case involves a substantial amount of Bitcoin and raises questions about the movement of the confiscated cryptocurrency.
Crystal Blockchain’s tracking of these coins has revealed their transfer to crypto exchanges by unknown individuals. The ongoing investigation aims to establish Tambiev’s guilt while he fights his dismissal in court.
The story serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching impact of corruption within law enforcement and the increasing relevance of cryptocurrencies in such illicit activities.
Read More
Unleashing the Power of Tradeonix Pro: A Comprehensive Review of Russ Horn’s Forex Trading System
Threads app: Instagram’s Twitter rival logged 5 million users in first hours
Slim Sounds Review: Weight Loss Sound Therapy That Works
Sydney Sweeney Totally kill With A Toned Booty In A Little Swimsuit On IG
Ice-T Slams ‘Weirdo’ Fans Criticising Wife Coco Austin’s Risqué Instagram Pictures
Ice-T Slams ‘Weirdo’ Fans Criticising Wife Coco Austin’s Risqué Instagram Pictures
HomeDesignsAi: Unlock Limitless Home Design Possibilities with AI Magic
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What led to the arrest of Marat Tambiev?
Marat Tambiev, a criminal investigator in Moscow, was arrested for accepting a Bitcoin bribe. He had allegedly extorted cryptocurrency from the hackers he arrested during a major cybercriminal investigation.
2. How much Bitcoin did the hackers bribe Tambiev with?
According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, the hackers paid a bribe of 1,032 BTC to Tambiev. However, the hackers themselves claimed to have sent him a larger sum of 2,718 BTC.
3. What happened to the confiscated Bitcoin?
A portion of the bribe, consisting of 1,032 BTC, was officially confiscated and stored as material evidence by the Investigative Committee. The whereabouts of the remaining 1,686 BTC are unknown.
4. What evidence was found on Tambiev’s MacBook?
During a search of Tambiev’s apartment, investigators discovered a file titled “Retirement” on his MacBook. It contained photos of handwritten notes that held the seed phrases for two cryptocurrency wallets.
5. What was the financial disparity between Tambiev’s income and his Bitcoin holdings?
Tambiev’s total salary during his 11-year tenure at the Investigative Committee amounted to approximately $134,300. In contrast, the value of the Bitcoin found in his wallets was significantly higher, representing less than 1% of his cryptocurrency holdings.
6. What actions have been taken against Tambiev?
Following his arrest, Tambiev was fired from his position. He is currently contesting his dismissal in court while the investigation into his involvement in the Bitcoin bribery case continues.
Disclaimer: The information on this news website is provided for general purposes only. We make no warranties about the accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information.
Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this website. Please verify the accuracy of information before making any decisions based on it.
Greetings! I’m Narendra your guide to holistic health at Blogcitynews.com. A devoted health and wellness expert offers deep insights and thorough reviews on everything holistic health. Fueled by a fervent passion for enhancing well-being and empowering readers with informed choices, My content is designed to Reveal the truth to motivate and support you on your path to optimal health. Join Me to unravels the secrets to living better, Naturally.