Authories in Texas Confiscate $2.8 Million Worth of Cryptocurrency from Accused Ransomware Operator
In a significant move against cybercrime, Texas authorities have seized over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury car from Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, an alleged ransomware operator. The seizure is part of a broader focus on dismantling ransomware operations and clawing back illicit profits.
Antropenko is accused of using Zeppelin ransomware to extort victims worldwide. Prosecutors claim that he deployed this malicious software to attack individuals, businesses, and organizations globally. Six federal warrants were unsealed across courts in Virginia, California, and Texas as part of the seizure.
The surge in crypto-related theft in the U.S. has been a growing concern. Nearly $1.93 billion was stolen in the first half of 2025 alone, already surpassing totals from previous years. This surge in theft largely involves ransomware and other cybercrime operations exploiting the largely unregulated cryptocurrency environment.
In response, U.S. law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to combat these crimes. The U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and Department of Justice are working together to target and disrupt cryptocurrency exchanges involved in illicit activity. Notably, in March 2025, a joint operation with German and Finnish partners seized web domains and froze over $26 million in cryptocurrency linked to the Garantex exchange, which was involved in ransomware and other crimes.
The rise in cryptocurrency ATMs has also been linked to increased fraud losses. In 2024, there were nearly 11,000 complaints related to these kiosks, with victim losses estimated at $246.7 million. The Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued warnings to financial institutions to be vigilant of CVC kiosks being exploited for scam payments and other illicit activities, urging enhanced reporting and scrutiny.
The Justice Department's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) has secured over 180 cybercrime convictions and recovered $350 million for victims. Antropenko faces charges of conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, computer fraud and abuse, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Cybercrime losses in the U.S. reached $16.6 billion in 2024, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The FBI reported that nearly 150,000 complaints in 2024 involved digital assets, with $9.3 billion in related losses, a 66% jump from the previous year.
Law enforcement conducted raids to seize domains and infrastructure related to cybercrime groups Royal and vendors of LummaC2. The attack involved encrypting and stealing data before demanding payment to decrypt, withhold, or delete it.
The funds from the latest seizure were allegedly laundered through services like ChipMixer, a crypto mixing platform shut down in a 2023 international operation. The Justice Department has previously disrupted the operations of ChipMixer.
The fight against cybercrime is a global one, and collaboration with foreign partners is key. The strategy against these transnational cybercriminal networks includes rewards and indictments of executives, arrests abroad, and structured cash deposits used to launder funds from ransomware activity.
[1] Source: FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center [2] Source: U.S. Department of Justice press release [3] Source: Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) advisory [4] Source: Chainalysis 2021 Crypto Crime Report [5] Source: U.S. Secret Service advisory on CVC kiosks
- The Texas authorities' seizure of $2.8 million in cryptocurrency from Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, a suspected ransomware operator, is part of a broader focus on dismantling ransomware operations and recovering illicit profits.
- Cryptocurrency theft, particularly ransomware attacks, has become a significant concern in the U.S., with nearly $1.93 billion stolen in the first half of 2025 alone.
- In response, U.S. law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to combat cybercrimes, targeting cryptocurrency exchanges involved in illicit activities.
- The rise in cryptocurrency ATMs has been linked to increased fraud losses, with over $246.7 million in complaints andrelated losses in 2024.
- The Justice Department has secured over 180 cybercrime convictions and recovered $350 million for victims, with Antropenko facing charges related to computer fraud and abuse, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and other crimes.
- The fight against cybercrime is a global endeavor, and collaboration with foreign partners is essential in dismantling transnational cybercriminal networks.
