Nizhny Novgorod probe says 22-year-old moved more than RUB 113 million for online casinos through bank cards, SIM cards and crypto

Investigators in Nizhny Novgorod have finished a criminal case tied to RUB 113 million in illegal transfers. For high-risk operators, the useful part is not the age of the suspect; it is the mechanics: bank-card and SIM-card theft, cash withdrawal, crypto conversion, and payout to casino wallets through a controlled chain of dummies and intermediaries.

1. A 22-year-old man allegedly bought other people’s bank cards and SIM cards on the dark web, withdrew money from online casino customers’ accounts, converted the proceeds into crypto, and credited it to crypto wallets used by casino representatives. He also kept part of the sum as a commission.
2. According to the case file, four friends supplied him with drops (nominee account holders) for the scheme. Investigators said he controlled the full chain, from the dummies to the final cash-out.
3. Over five months, the total volume of illegal transfers exceeded RUB 113 million. On the day of his arrest, he had already cashed out RUB 1.5 million.
4. Authorities opened a criminal case under the article on unlawful circulation of payment means. The suspect faces up to six years in prison and a fine.
5. During the search of his car, police reportedly found about RUB 1 million, more than 60 bank cards and SIM cards, 20 phones, and a laptop. The car was sent to a special impound lot.