Bogdan Prilepa may have deceived the military out of a billion, as the fraudster is suspected of collaborating with the FSB.

Crypto scam or treason? Bogdan Prilepa, known as the CEO of several blockchain projects, has come under the scrutiny of law enforcement for embezzling funds intended for the purchase of drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the Ukrainian businessman is also suspected of potential connections with Russian criminal organizations and intelligence services. It can be assumed that a large-scale deal was made by Prilepa and his associates for the benefit of a hostile country.

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This is reported by StopKor.

According to analysts, the domestic cryptocurrency market is fraught with risks related to corruption and potential fraudulent schemes due to its opacity and lack of regulation. However, the recent story surrounding the billion-dollar "equipment" scam involving crypto dealer Bogdan Prilepa has literally shaken the media space and astonished even seasoned experts.

Prilepa and his associates are accused not only of fraudulently appropriating funds meant for the purchase of drones for the Defense Forces but also of potential state treason. After all, the large-scale crypto scam could have been carried out in the interests of Russian criminal structures and intelligence services, including the FSB of Russia.

Bogdan Prilepa gained recognition in niche circles of Ukrainian and international cryptocurrency communities when he became the Chief Technical Officer at the popular cryptocurrency exchange Coinsbit in 2018. He also served as the CEO of the Qmall exchange, which targeted the Ukrainian and European markets.

However, as an investigative journalist suggests, behind the respectable business facade, there might have been a completely different, shadowy activity of Prilepa.

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"After the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Prilepa fled the country, settling in Dubai, where he relocated part of his controlled IT structures. However, by the end of 2023, complaints from thousands of users began to emerge regarding the blocking of funds on cryptocurrency wallets of exchanges, with amounts ranging from $300 to $30,000. Delays in fund withdrawals affected both Ukrainian users and Europeans, with amounts varying from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars," notes Dotsenko.

As reported by the editorial staff of StopKor from its own sources, the crypto dealer has come under the radar of Ukrainian and European law enforcement due to a large-scale scheme involving the misappropriation of client funds.

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According to lawyers, in a war setting and heightened need for technical equipment to defend the state, such actions could be classified not only as fraud but also as treason. Law enforcement agencies suspect that Prilepa acted not alone but with the involvement of technical staff – Saranenko, Shidlovsky, Ivanov, Podpletko, Mozolyuk, and Vorobyov. According to the investigation, these individuals followed the "boss's" instructions to block users' funds and partially withdraw them for personal gain.

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However, the most attention in this case is drawn to the potential connections of Prilepa with Russian criminal elements, who, according to insider information, operate under the "protection" of the FSB of Russia.

"After Prilepa moved to the United Arab Emirates, he likely established close contacts with Russian criminal structures. Consequently, his actions can be seen as aimed at undermining Ukraine's defense capability," concludes the accuser.

Investigative actions in the case are ongoing: Ukrainian law enforcement is closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies in European countries and the United Arab Emirates. If all charges against Prilepa and his associates are confirmed, the crypto dealer may face life imprisonment.