FBI Infiltrates $24M Dark Web Laundering Scheme by Running It Themselves
In a rare undercover move, the FBI quietly took over a major Dark Web money laundering service after arresting its operator, Anurag Pramod Murarka—also known online as “ElonMuskWHM.”
Instead of shutting the network down, agents ran it for over a year to identify criminal clients using it to clean funds tied to hacks, drug sales, and violent crime.
Murarka had been laundering millions in crypto before he was detained during a medical visit to the U.S. With access to his infrastructure, the FBI monitored transactions and flipped several of his cash mules into informants.
Investigators used creative tactics, including sending obscure YouTube links through encrypted chats, then tracking viewers via Google data requests—an approach now facing criticism for possible privacy overreach.
In total, Murarka moved more than $24 million in under two years. He was sentenced to over 10 years in prison, and several of his clients have since been arrested.
The sting comes amid rising concerns over crypto-enabled laundering and follows incidents like the Bybit hack, where attackers fully cleaned out stolen funds.
Despite this breakthrough, the Department of Justice has announced plans to scale back enforcement on crypto platforms—potentially making future operations like this harder to pull off.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain and fintech industries, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics.
