FBI runs covert operation against crypto money laundering under Elon Musk’s name

Updated

April 10, 2025

Gambar FBI runs covert operation against crypto money laundering under Elon Musk’s name

Jakarta, Pintu News – The case of cryptocurrency abuse in criminal activities is back in the public spotlight. This time, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was revealed to be running a secret operation to dismantle a crypto-based money laundering network.

Interestingly, in this operation, the perpetrator used the name Elon Musk as part of the cover identity in the illegal transaction. The operation successfully prevented the circulation of billions of rupiah worth of criminal proceeds and revealed increasingly sophisticated money laundering methods in the digital age.

Money laundering scheme using Elon Musk’s identity

The case stems from the arrest of a 30-year-old Indian national named Anurag Pramod Murarka. He was known to use various pseudonyms in the course of his actions, including “elonmuskwhm” and “la2nyc”. Under these identities, Murarka received crypto assets from a network of drug dealers and hackers and converted them into cash through the hawala system, an informal money transfer method that is illegal in many countries.

Murarka ran the money laundering operation from April 2021 to September 2023. In carrying out his activities, he advertised money laundering services on various online darknet marketplaces and communicated with clients using encrypted applications. In addition, the proceeds of crime were often hidden in envelopes or disguised in children’s books to avoid detection.

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FBI’s role in covert operations to uncover criminal networks

After learning of Murarka’s activities, the FBI conducted an in-depth investigation and eventually managed to trap the perpetrator into coming to the United States by utilizing a visa approved specifically for investigative purposes. Upon arrival in the United States, Murarka was immediately arrested, and his crypto assets were secured.

Interestingly, the FBI then took over Murarka’s illegal operations for the purpose of further investigation. For almost a year, the FBI ran undercover operations under the guise of Murarka, including communicating with other criminals. Through this, the FBI managed to prevent an additional $1.4 million in money laundering.

Magnitude of Money Laundering and Penalties for Perpetrators

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Murarka’s money laundering operation has processed more than $20 million or around Rp339.9 billion. The funds came from various criminal activities, ranging from drug trafficking to hacking.

As a consequence of his actions, Murarka was sentenced to a prison term of 121 months or more than 10 years. Under US federal law, Murarka is required to serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Upon release from prison, he must also serve a three-year supervision period.

FBI Expands Crypto Crime Countermeasures Operations

In addition to running covert operations related to the Murarka case, the FBI is also running a broader initiative to combat cryptocurrency-based crime. The program is named Operation Level Up. Through this program, the FBI claims to have saved more than 4,300 victims from potential losses due to crypto investment fraud, with a total value of more than $285 million or around Rp4.8 trillion.

This operation is part of the FBI’s efforts to reduce losses due to crypto investment scams, which are estimated to reach $3.9 billion or around Rp66.2 trillion throughout 2023. The FBI also reports receiving around 3,200 reports of crypto investment fraud cases every month through its internet crime complaint center (IC3).

The Growing Threat of Crypto Crime

This case shows how cryptocurrency technology can be used by criminals to carry out illegal activities. With a system that tends to be anonymous and cross national borders, crypto has become one of the favorite tools for money launderers and fraudsters.

However, the efforts of authorities like the FBI show that law enforcement is adapting to this new challenge. Through undercover approaches, security forces are able to map out networks of perpetrators, identify money laundering methods, and thwart illegal transactions using crypto assets.

Conclusion

The use of cryptocurrencies in criminal activities such as money laundering is becoming a real challenge for regulators and law enforcement officials around the world. The FBI’s undercover operation in the Anurag Murarka case shows the importance of innovative investigative strategies in the digital age. With the increasing attention on crypto crime, steps like this are expected to curb money laundering practices and create a safer and more trustworthy cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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