Crypto Bribery Cases in Russia. According to attorneys in Russia, examples of crypto bribery, in which corrupt persons acquire tokens like Bitcoin (BTC), are on the rise. Marina Odintsova, the president of the Kirov branch of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, recently told Svoy Kirovsky Portal that “non-cash” bribery has risen in Russia.
Crypto Bribery: Russia Seeing an Increase in Cases
Odintsova’s response focused on the “most common methods of transferring bribes” in Russia, which was the subject of her discussion. According to the attorney, there are “three” typical ways to participate in the act of offering and receiving bribes. Cryptocurrency was the first one that she brought up.
According to Odintsova, several instances of bribery involving the use of cryptocurrency have been brought to light recently. Regarding sectors subject to less regulation from the state, Bitcoin is at the top of the list. It is also incredibly difficult to track down transfers made using cryptography. On the other hand, anything is not out of the question.
“Courts are looking into the case of the largest bribe in modern Russian history,” she stated, adding that this is happening “currently in the Moscow Oblast.” She also mentioned that the issue is being investigated. Odintsova was quoted as saying that cryptocurrency is also implicated in this situation.
‘Bitcoin Bribery’ – A Landmark Case
Odintsova mentioned the two Russian army investigators. The detectives allegedly asked a gang of hackers to pay them thousands of Bitcoin so they could cover up their investigation. A Moscow Oblast court declared two members of the Investigative Committee to be the “prime suspects” in a trial scheduled to start soon, in June of this year.
According to the prosecutors, Russian government representatives were investigating “an international cybercrime syndicate” known as the Infraud Organization. As stated in the recorded court documents, Major Marat Tambiev, an army member, reportedly requested 2,718 Bitcoins from the hackers.
The prosecution claims that Tambiev and another suspect “promised not to confiscate” around $159.6 million worth of bitcoin in exchange for the bribe. This is according to the allegations made by authorities. The Federal Security Service was presented with information regarding the alleged bribe by the hackers. After further investigation, they were found guilty of cybercrime and received prison sentences ranging from two and a half to three years.
Bribes Handed Out Via ‘Third Parties’
Odintsova clarified that crypto bribes are also becoming more common in less publicized instances. According to her, “non-cash transfers” using cryptocurrency are occasionally sent “to bribe-takers wallets via a third party.”
According to the attorney, “relatives, friends, and acquaintances” are common examples of such outside parties. She also included monetary and “property” bribes as typical corrupt deal-closing methods. At the same time, the Russian Central Bank is moving forward with its expedited CBDC plans. The bank plans to roll out the digital ruble project’s second phase in September.
