Investigation reveals a shadowy industry of Russian payment brokers advertising on Telegram to facilitate sanctions-busting financial transactions amid Western sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These brokers use layered intermediaries and companies in jurisdictions like Hong Kong, Dubai, Indonesia, Canada, and Germany to obscure the origin of Russian funds, helping Russian businesses bypass EU, UK, and US sanctions, including for illegal purchases such as drones. Several brokers operate under traded names such as CW Group, Fin Platform, MoneyRoo, SCS Consulting, East Pay, and SpravkaJack, offering services like routing money through non-Russian directors and using cryptocurrencies. Notably, some intermediary companies have links to the TGR network, a sanctioned money laundering network aiding Russian elites to bypass restrictions linked to UK and US sanctions. The investigation highlights the use of the ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5, launched by a Russian-Moldovan oligarch and Promsvyazbank, facilitating nearly 20% of Russia's international transactions despite sanctions. Experts warn that such clandestine financial operations present significant challenges to law enforcement due to their complexity and adaptability.

Investigation reveals a shadowy industry of Russian payment brokers advertising on Telegram to facilitate sanctions-busting financial transactions amid Western sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These brokers use layered intermediaries and companies in jurisdictions like Hong Kong, Dubai, Indonesia, Canada, and Germany to obscure the origin of Russian funds, helping Russian businesses bypass EU, UK, and US sanctions, including for illegal purchases such as drones. Several brokers operate under traded names such as CW Group, Fin Platform, MoneyRoo, SCS Consulting, East Pay, and SpravkaJack, offering services like routing money through non-Russian directors and using cryptocurrencies. Notably, some intermediary companies have links to the TGR network, a sanctioned money laundering network aiding Russian elites to bypass restrictions linked to UK and US sanctions. The investigation highlights the use of the ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5, launched by a Russian-Moldovan oligarch and Promsvyazbank, facilitating nearly 20% of Russia's international transactions despite sanctions. Experts warn that such clandestine financial operations present significant challenges to law enforcement due to their complexity and adaptability.