Report: Russians buy Wirex accounts on the dark web for crypto operations in the EU
Advertising targeted at Russian-speaking users for the sale of verified Wirex accounts has appeared in darknet marketplaces. The information is contained in a report by Transparency International Russia.
Using such accounts registered under the names of EU citizens or residents, a user can perform anonymous cryptocurrency withdrawals to fiat bank accounts with access to a debit card.
The price of the accounts ranges from $30 to $220.
The sellers TI-Russia spoke with said that original identity documents were used for registration. In addition, the account owners themselves are willing to provide photo or video proving their identity if further verification is required.
After the transaction, the new owner is advised to change the password and the contact phone number to minimise the risk of the previous owner regaining access.
Intermediaries also recommend not transferring more than $1,000 to avoid AML monitoring.
As of mid-October 2023, crypto services in the United Kingdom and the EEA were provided by Wirex Digital d.o.o. from Croatia. It falls under the regulation FCA, although it is not registered as a crypto-asset firm.
Fiat payments in the United Kingdom are processed by the local subsidiary Wirex Limited; in the EEA — UAB Wirex from Lithuania.
Transparency International says the vulnerability they identified in the financial system gives criminals the ability to integrate proceeds from crime into the traditional banking system through cryptocurrencies.
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