The FSB has announced the neutralization of a criminal gang in Novosibirsk involved in laundering money stolen from Russian citizens through telephone fraud schemes orchestrated by Ukrainian call centers. The investigation has uncovered a network of “black couriers” responsible for transporting and converting illicit funds.
A total of 19 individuals have been detained, including organizers from Novosibirsk and accomplices from Tomsk, the Altai Territory, and the Moscow Region. According to investigators, this group formed the core of a criminal organization facilitating the movement of money obtained through fraudulent activities.
The suspects allegedly posed as representatives of Russian financial and law enforcement agencies, including Rosfinmonitoring, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the FSB, to deceive citizens and steal their funds. The stolen money was then collected in cash or transferred through drop people, before being converted into cryptocurrency at exchange points and sent to Ukrainian call centers. The couriers allegedly received 2% of the stolen amount as payment for their services.
Preliminary estimates indicate that the gang’s illegal activities resulted in damages exceeding 197 million rubles across 39 documented cases. The alleged leaders of the criminal group, residents of Novosibirsk, have been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention. A criminal case has been initiated against them under Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, pertaining to the creation of a criminal organization. The leaders have been transferred to Moscow for further investigation.
In addition to courier services, the group allegedly provided Ukrainian call centers with logistical support by recruiting individuals to host “SIM boxes” in their homes or vehicles. These devices, containing numerous SIM cards, allowed fraudsters to make calls appearing to originate from local numbers, regardless of their actual location. Hosts were reportedly paid for this service, although it was described as a risky endeavor due to the regular tracking of such devices.
The person identified as the leader of the organized crime group is 41-year-old Zaur Imanov, a resident of Novosibirsk with prior convictions for theft and violent acts against justice. Imanov had previously been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm resulting in death through negligence in connection with a 2017 incident at a karaoke bar.
While serving time in a correctional colony, Imanov allegedly began organizing the courier service for transporting illicit funds around 2020. He was later transferred to forced labor, which facilitated his involvement in the illegal business. By the time of his arrest in 2025, it is alleged that hundreds of millions of rubles had passed through Imanov’s hands, allowing him to live a lavish lifestyle. The investigation into the case is ongoing.