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2 Russian law enforcement agents arrested for Bitcoin extortion scheme

source-logo  chepicap.com 24 April 2019 04:20, UTC

It is being reported by The Next Web that two members of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) have been arrested for apparently extorting 65 million rubles ($1 million) out of a man suspected of his own crimes. The payment was made in Bitcoin, but the agents didn't know they were being set up from within their own organization in an attempt to weed out corruption.

The two agents arrested were Sergei Belousov and Aleksey Kolbov, both law enforcement agents from the FSB. The two were investigating a case of fraud against one Erast Galumov, whose case is still ongoing, when they allegedly threatened Galumov into a confession and then blackmailed him for 65 million rubles. They even went so far as to threaten his son.

What they didn't know is that they themselves were being led into a sting operation that their own department was running in order to flush out corrupt agents. Apparently it worked. The extortion was settled in Bitcoin, and as soon as the transfer was sent, the two were arrested in connection with the crime.

The agents have apparently admitted to the crime, but investigators believe that up to 15 other agents may be involved in just this case and the hunt is still ongoing. Will other criminals come to light? Stick with Chepicap for any and all updates!

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