US attacks ransomware supply chain with indictment of three cryptocurrency mixer operators

Active from 2018 to 2022, Blender.io advertised itself as a no-logs cryptocurrency mixer requiring no user details, ensuring anonymity. After Blender’s shutdown, Sinbad.io offered similar services until law enforcement took it down on November 27, 2023.

Still at large

Roman Vitalyevich Ostapenko, 55, faces charges of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Alexander Evgenievich Oleynik, 44, and Anton Vyachlavovich Tarasov, 32, are charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

If found guilty, each defendant could receive up to 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy and five years for each count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, according to Justice Department.