For the first time, the US Treasury’s closer scrutiny of Bitcoin’s network for criminal purposes has yielded public results. Bitcoin addresses have been connected to indicted ransomware hackers.
Ali Khorashadizadeh and Mohammad Ghorbaniyan helped convert their extorted cryptocurrency into Iranian rial, and they used several exchanges for that purpose. The ransomware for this case was SamSam, known to have targeted 200 individuals.
“Treasury is targeting digital currency exchangers who have enabled Iranian cyber actors to profit from extorting digital ransom payments from their victims. As Iran becomes increasingly isolated and desperate for access to U.S. dollars, it is vital that virtual curren...
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