🗓️ Chronological Timeline & Key Details:
📍 Early 2024 – Onward:
🇨🇳 A Chinese cybercrime syndicate began operating in 🇮🇳 India, recruiting locals to open bank accounts for laundering illicit money.
💸 April–June 2025:
💰 The network laundered around ₹75–80 lakh (US $90,000) using Tether (USDT), a stablecoin transferred via the TRC-20 blockchain (TRC = Tron blockchain network).
🔁 These were peer-to-peer crypto transfers, bypassing regulated exchanges and avoiding Know-Your-Customer (KYC) checks.
📱 Operations through Telegram & Encrypted Channels:
💬 The fraud ring coordinated via Telegram, exploiting anonymity tools to conduct illegal crypto transactions.
🚔 June 2025 – Arrests in India:
👮 The Uttar Pradesh Cyber Crime Unit (India) led coordinated raids in three Indian cities:
▪️ Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India)
▪️ Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh, India)
▪️ Gonda (Uttar Pradesh, India)
🔗 Result: 10 Indian intermediaries were arrested.
🧾 Modus Operandi:
🎯 Victims were scammed online by Chinese-linked entities.
🏦 The stolen money was sent to Indian mule bank accounts.
💱 Intermediaries converted the funds into crypto (mainly USDT via TRC-20).
🚚 The crypto was transferred back to China; agents kept a commission.
📂 Evidence Seized:
The Uttar Pradesh Cyber Crime authorities confiscated:
📱 Mobile devices
💻 Laptops
📄 Bank records and digital wallets
💵 Cash
🧪 All as part of their forensic investigation.
⚖️ Legal Status (June 2025):
🤝 Two of the 10 suspects agreed to turn state witnesses for the Indian government.
⛓️ Remaining suspects are in judicial custody, awaiting formal charges.
💡 Conclusion: How to Prevent Such Crypto-Laundering Crimes?
1. 🔐 Stricter Regulation of P2P Crypto Markets
➤ Mandatory KYC and reporting for all USDT (TRC-20) transactions to reduce anonymity.
2. 🤖 AI-Based Transaction Monitoring
➤ Use blockchain analytics (e.g., Chainalysis, Elliptic) to track high-risk patterns.
3. 📣 Public Awareness Campaigns
➤ Educate the public about crypto frauds and digital scams.
4. 🌐 Global Cooperation
➤ Enhance international enforcement ties, especially with countries like China.
5. 📵 Telegram & App Surveillance (within legal limits)
➤ Monitor encrypted platforms used by laundering networks while respecting privacy rights.