Two individuals believed to be senior members of the AudiA6 money laundering organization were arrested in the Republic of Georgia for allegedly laundering over $389 million in Bitcoin linked to criminal activities. Ruslan Igorevich Tkachuk, 37, and Alexander Vladimirovich Ledenev, 25, were charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and sting money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The AudiA6 scheme allegedly offered to conceal the source of customers' crypto assets in exchange for a 5% fee. The arrests resulted from a coordinated investigation involving the U.S. Secret Service, IRS, and law enforcement from Australia, Germany, Japan, and other nations. Authorities blocked Telegram accounts, seized crypto assets, and placed a seizure banner on the group's dark web site. Blockchain analysis identified 10,333 BTC deposited to AudiA6 accounts, valued at over $389 million at the time of transactions, with around $19 million originating from known illicit sources. The suspects are currently held in Georgia pending extradition to the U.S., and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Earlier this year, funds stolen via a fake Ledger app on the Mac App Store were reportedly laundered through AudiA6.

Key facts

• Two senior AudiA6 members arrested in Georgia for laundering $389M in Bitcoin.
• Charges include conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and sting money laundering.
• Coordinated international investigation led to blocked Telegram, seized crypto, and dark web site takeover.
• Blockchain analysis tracked 10,333 BTC, with $19M from known illicit sources.
• Suspects face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
• Earlier fake Ledger app theft funds laundered through AudiA6.

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