Russian Authorities Seize 1 Billion Rubles in Bitcoin in Bribery Case

Russian authorities seized over 1,032 Bitcoin, worth approximately one billion rubles, linked to a high-profile bribery case. The Bitcoin was seized after Marat Tambiev, a former investigator in Moscow, was convicted of accepting cryptocurrency bribes to protect a criminal hacking organization.

Bitcoin’s Role in the Bribery Scheme

Tambiev, a senior investigator in Moscow’s Tver District, used his position to shield members of the Infraud Organization, a notorious hacking group. In exchange for his protection, he received Bitcoin, with the promise not to seize the group’s illegally obtained funds during the investigation. 

The bribery scheme was uncovered when authorities found the cryptocurrency stored in a Ledger Nano X hardware wallet during a search of Tambiev’s Moscow apartment. This discovery sparked an investigation that led to the seizure of the Bitcoin.

Severe Consequences for Tambiev

Further investigations have expanded the scope of the case, leading to additional lawsuits targeting Tambiev's assets, including property, a motorcycle, and more cryptocurrencies. 

Authorities argue that these assets were accumulated through criminal activity while Tambiev served as an investigator. In October, the Moscow court handed down a severe sentence, sentencing Tambiev to 16 years in prison and a hefty fine of 500 million rubles ($5.2 million). 

Tambiev’s government rank was stripped, and he was banned from public service for the next 12 years. The case serves as a clear warning about the risks of using cryptocurrencies for illegal activities and demonstrates Russia’s dedication to tackling corruption within its law enforcement system.