Thu Sep 26 14:54:07 UTC 2024: ## US Cracks Down on Joker’s Stash and Cryptex, Targeting Russian Cybercrime Hubs

**Washington, D.C.** – The United States has announced sanctions and indictments against two major players in the global cybercrime scene, targeting the alleged proprietor of the notorious Joker’s Stash and a prominent Russian cybercriminal known as Taleon.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Timur Kamilevich Shakhmametov, a 38-year-old Russian national, with operating Joker’s Stash, a thriving online marketplace for stolen credit card data. The platform, which operated from 2014 until its closure in 2021, is believed to have sold millions of stolen cards, generating revenue of at least $280 million and potentially exceeding $1 billion.

Shakhmametov, known in the cybercrime underworld as “v1pee” and later “Vega,” was a prominent figure in Russian hacking circles for over two decades. His involvement in the lucrative carding market began in the early 2000s and eventually culminated in the establishment of Joker’s Stash, which gained a reputation for providing high-quality cards and excellent customer service.

The government also indicted and sanctioned Sergey Sergeevich Ivanov, 44, of Saint Petersburg, Russia, better known as “Taleon.” Ivanov is accused of operating Cryptex, a cryptocurrency exchange that served as a major money laundering hub for cybercriminals worldwide. Cryptex is believed to have processed billions of dollars in illicit transactions over the past 20 years, facilitating the movement of funds for ransomware gangs, darknet marketplaces, and other criminal actors.

Taleon, who also had a long history in the cybercrime community, is alleged to have laundered money for Joker’s Stash, among other criminal enterprises. He established a network of cash exchanges in Russia, offering a reliable way for cybercriminals to convert stolen funds into physical cash.

The Treasury Department has sanctioned PM2BTC, a company closely linked to Taleon, under a new authority designed to target financial entities facilitating money laundering for Russia. This action underscores the US government’s commitment to combating transnational cybercrime and disrupting financial networks that support these activities.

Experts believe these sanctions will have a significant impact on Cryptex and its customers, prompting other cryptocurrency exchanges to re-evaluate their own security and compliance measures. The crackdown sends a clear message: the US government is actively targeting the financial infrastructure that empowers cybercriminals.

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