Federal authorities have seized more than $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury vehicle following the unsealing of six warrants across three federal districts. The assets were confiscated from a cryptocurrency wallet managed by Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, who faces charges in the Northern District of Texas for conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to the indictment, Antropenko allegedly used Zeppelin ransomware to target individuals, businesses, and organizations globally. The indictment claims that he and his associates encrypted and stole victims’ data before demanding ransom payments for decryption or deletion of the stolen information.
The warrants state that the seized assets are believed to be proceeds from ransomware activities or were involved in laundering such proceeds. Authorities allege that these funds were laundered through various means, including use of ChipMixer—a cryptocurrency mixing service dismantled during an international operation in 2023—and by converting digital currency into cash via structured deposits.
"Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson for the Northern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans of the FBI Norfolk Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI Dallas Field Office made the announcement."
The investigation is being led by the FBI Dallas and Norfolk Field Offices along with their Virtual Assets Unit.
"Trial Attorney Benjamin Bleiberg of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jongwoo “Daniel” Chung for the Northern District of Texas are handling the case, with assistance for the forfeiture provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyse Lyons for the Northern District of Texas. Significant assistance has also been provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Kosky and Kevin Hudson for the Eastern District of Virginia."
The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) works on cybercrime cases alongside law enforcement agencies domestically and internationally while collaborating with private sector partners. Since 2020, CCIPS has achieved convictions against over 180 cybercriminals; it has also helped recover more than $350 million on behalf of victims and disrupted several ransomware groups—efforts which have prevented over $200 million in ransom payments.
"An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
