Infamous Hacker Denis Katana Linked to Bitcoin Money Laundering for Russian Crime Ring
A judge in Spain has linked notorious hacker Denis Tokarenko, also known as Denis Katana, to a Russian organized crime ring involved in money laundering through Bitcoin (BTC).
According to a report by El Español, the criminal organization, which operated in the southeastern Spanish province of Alicante, chose to use digital currency due to its perceived "lack of state control."
The Pandora Papers leak, a collection of 12 million documents exposing offshore financial activities of global leaders, celebrities, and billionaires, previously hinted at Tokarenko's involvement as the "Bitcoin czar."
The documents were released in 2021 by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, revealing various illicit activities such as tax evasion, money laundering, and hidden wealth.
Local authorities have said that Maxim Khakimov, a Russian entrepreneur responsible for laundering money for the crime syndicate, recruited Tokarenko.
Khakimov employed sophisticated financial engineering tactics to transfer and receive funds from Russian clients in Spain.
The judge presiding over the case said that Tokarenko, acting as a "cyber associate," provided guidance to Khakimov on purchasing Bitcoin and using it to obscure the organization's financial transactions.
Beyond their illicit activities, Tokarenko and Khakimov were reportedly closely connected, forming a relationship that extended beyond criminal endeavors.
Spanish authorities claim that when Tokarenko was initially arrested in 2018, Khakimov, along with his lawyer, assisted in transferring money to him while he was behind bars.
Additionally, they allegedly aided the cybercriminal in managing his investments and even hired hitmen to settle debts accumulated over the years.
Katan
Read more on cryptonews.com
