Gairika Mitra
A Russian court has sentenced a former chief investigator to 16 years in jail after authorities caught him accepting a massive $65 million Bitcoin bribe from hackers.
Marat Tambiyev, who was working for the Investigative Committee of Russia at the time, became the latest high-profile fallout in a corruption scandal. The investigation into Tambiyev reportedly began last year, and it was discovered that he had been accepting bribes from the Infraud Organization hacking group. The authorities believe this facilitated illegal activities for the hackers.
The scandal has cast a spotlight on the endemic corruption within Russia’s law enforcement agencies. These departments have struggled to combat organized crime and cybercrime while facing severe resource constraints. The investigation revealed that Tambiyev worked with his colleague Kristina Lyakhovenko, who has also been arrested.
The details of the bribe are staggering: Tambiyev fetched a sum equivalent to $65 million through anonymous Bitcoin transactions. The amount is one of the largest-ever bribes that a Russian official accepted. According to investigators, the hackers had planned to pay Tambiyev half of their illegal assets in exchange for him not confiscating them.
The investigation revealed that Tambiyev’s alleged corrupt activities stretches back several years. Authorities uncovered evidence of prior Bitcoin transactions made through anonymous online marketplaces. The suspects had also reportedly attempted to conceal their tracks by using cryptocurrencies and other forms of anonymous payment methods.
It remains unclear whether Tambiyev was acting alone or is part of a larger scheme within Russia’s law enforcement sector.
New Electricity Category to Support Crypto Mining Amidst Cybersecurity Threats
In other Russia-related news, The Shib Daily noted earlier that the Russian Ministry of Energy is pushing for the creation of a fourth reliability category for electricity consumers. This new category would help optimize electricity distribution during periods of low demand.
The proposal is particularly significant for the cryptocurrency industry, where consistent electricity supply is crucial for mining operations. Energy-intensive activities, such as Bitcoin mining, rely on continuous power to maintain efficiency.
A related coverage shared that Russian hackers are targeting sensitive information, including cryptocurrency wallet details, by creating fake AI websites. According to a report from cybersecurity firm Silent Push, the hacking group FIN7 is behind many of the attacks. They set up fraudulent sites that claim to offer AI-generated non-consensual nude images, but instead, these sites distribute malware to steal data.
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Gairika holds positions in BTC. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
