Roman Vitalyevich Ostapenko, Alexander Evgenievich Oleynik, and Anton Vyachlavovich Tarasov have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged roles in operating the cryptocurrency mixing services Blender.io and Sinbad.io. The indictment accuses them of using these platforms to launder funds obtained from ransomware, virtual currency thefts, and other crimes.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Blender.io and Sinbad.io were allegedly used by criminals across the world to launder funds stolen from victims of ransomware, virtual currency thefts, and other crimes.” He emphasized that the indictment reflects a commitment to dismantling cybercriminal infrastructure.
Brent S. Wible, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, said the defendants operated cryptocurrency mixers serving as havens for laundering criminally derived funds. He noted that these actions facilitated state-sponsored hacking groups and other cybercriminals. Wible highlighted international partnerships' role in addressing global cybercrime threats.
Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, commented on last year's successful dismantling of Sinbad.io with international partners' assistance. "These indictments serve as a testament to the power of international cooperation," he said.
The indictment describes Blender.io and Sinbad.io as services allowing users to send cryptocurrency anonymously for a fee. Blender.io operated from 2018 until 2022 and was promoted online with a "No Logs Policy." After its shutdown, Sinbad.io began offering similar Bitcoin concealment services until law enforcement action took it down on November 27, 2023.
Both platforms have been sanctioned by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). OFAC sanctioned Blender.io on May 6, 2022, citing its use by North Korea to launder stolen virtual currency. On November 29, 2023, OFAC sanctioned Sinbad.io for being used by North Korean state-sponsored hackers.
Ostapenko faces charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Oleynik and Tarasov are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Ostapenko and Oleynik were arrested on December 1, 2024; Tarasov remains at large.
The Netherlands’ Public Prosecution Service played a significant role in disrupting Sinbad.io’s operations alongside contributions from Australian Federal Police and Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading this case's investigation with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samir Kaushal among others involved from various departments within the Justice Department.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.