Gang Sentenced for £6m Ukraine War Laundering

Two UK gang members, Valeriy Popovych and Vitaliy Lutsak, have been sentenced to six years and six months each for laundering over £6 million through cryptocurrency, exploiting the demand for vehicles in Ukraine amid the Russia-Ukraine war. The gang used criminal cash to buy vans and lorries in the UK, which were then sold in Ukraine, converting the proceeds into cryptocurrency. The investigation led by Detective Constable Harry Davies revealed that the gang operated an unregistered money service business and exploited the lack of cryptocurrency regulation for profit. Valeriy's wife, Oksana Popovych, was also found guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The criminal activities allowed the Popovyches to purchase a second home in South West London, showcasing the large-scale impact of their operations. This case underscores the serious risks posed by organized crime groups and the efforts by law enforcement to tackle such international criminality.