The founder of the oldest cryptocurrency mixer on the dark web has just received a sentence of 12 years and six months in prison.

In a statement, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) says Roman Sterlingov was sentenced for operating the Bitcoin Fog cryptocurrency mixer, which laundered hundreds of millions of dollars in digital assets over a decade.

Prosecutors say the 36-year-old operated Bitcoin Fog from 2011 to 2021 when he prosecuted more than 1.2 million Bitcoin (btc) worth approximately $400 million at the time of the transactions.

The Justice Department says the funds primarily came from dark web markets and criminal activities related to illegal narcotics, cybercrime, identity theft and other illicit acts.

Sterlingov was sentenced following a month-long jury trial earlier this year, which found him guilty of conspiracy to launder money, money laundering, operating an unlicensed money transmission business, and unlicensed money transmission. .

Says United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia:

“Today’s sentencing sends an unmistakable message: those who assist criminals with online payments for their illegal activities will face serious penalties. “This prosecution also provides further evidence that we have the trained investigators and talented prosecutors necessary to hold those who operate these dark web sites accountable.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Sterlingov was ordered to pay a money forfeiture judgment of $395.5 million and forfeit $1.76 million in crypto and monetary assets. He was also ordered to give up his interest in a Bitcoin Fog wallet. approximately 1,345 BTC worth over $103 million.

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