The creator of the oldest Bitcoin mixer on the darknet was sentenced this week to 12.5 years in prison. In a statement, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Roman Sterlingov has been convicted of operating Bitcoin Fog, which has laundered hundreds of millions of dollars in capital over the past decade.
1.2 million Bitcoin through the mixer
According to prosecutors, from 2011 to 2021, the 36-year-old facilitated the processing of 1.2 million Bitcoin with Bitcoin Fog, which had an aggregate value of $400 million at the time of the transactions.
According to the DOJ, the funds came mainly from darknet marketplaces and criminal activities. Then you should think of drug trafficking, computer crime, identity fraud and other illegal activities.
Sterlingov was convicted after a jury trial earlier this year, in which the jury found him guilty on charges of money laundering and many other misdeeds.
The DOJ wants to send a message
“Today’s verdict sends an unmistakable message: those who assist criminals with online payments for their illegal activities will face severe penalties. This prosecution also provides further evidence that we have the skilled investigators and talented prosecutors needed to hold those who operate these darknet websites accountable,” said District Attorney Matthew M. Graves.
In addition to the prison sentence, Sterlingov was ordered to pay a $395.5 million forfeiture and forfeit $1.76 million in crypto.
He was also ordered to forfeit his stake in a Bitcoin Fog wallet, which contained approximately 1,345 Bitcoin, worth more than $100 million.
In that respect, Sterlingov’s adventure came to a very sour end. The question is whether Donald Trump will perhaps do something with this. After all, he also promised that he would release Ross Ulbricht, the founder of darknet marketplace Silk Road, on his first day.
Now this is of course a different matter and it is difficult to judge.
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Source: https://newsbit.nl/bedenker-bitcoin-mixer-gaat-12-jaar-de-bak-in/
