Texas Seizes $2.8M Crypto in Zeppelin Ransomware Case

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Texas Seizes $2.8 Million Crypto in Ransomware Case Tied to Zeppelin Attacks

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: August 18, 2025

Key Takeaways

Texas seized $2.8 million in crypto, $70,000 cash, and a luxury car in a ransomware case tied to Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko;
Prosecutors allege Antropenko used Zeppelin ransomware to steal data and demand payment from global victims;
Funds were allegedly laundered through ChipMixer and structured cash deposits to hide their origin.

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Texas Seizes $2.8 Million Crypto in Ransomware Case Tied to Zeppelin Attacks

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Authorities in Texas have taken control of more than $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, along with $70,000 in cash and a luxury car, in a case linked to ransomware attacks.

According to an August 14 press release, the seizures came after six federal warrants were made public in courts in Virginia, California, and Texas.

The cryptocurrency was taken from a wallet said to be controlled by Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko. He is facing charges in Texas for conspiring to commit computer fraud, committing computer fraud, and conspiring to launder money.

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Prosecutors said Antropenko used a program called Zeppelin ransomware to target people, companies, and organizations in several countries, including the United States.

According to the charges, he and others would lock victims' files and take their data. They would demand payment to restore access, keep the stolen information private, or delete it.

Court documents stated that the seized crypto came from ransomware payments or was used to hide the source of those payments.

One method was ChipMixer, a service used to make cryptocurrency transactions harder to trace. ChipMixer was shut down in 2023 during an international law enforcement operation.

Prosecutors also said Antropenko converted cryptocurrency into cash and made deposits in smaller amounts to avoid detection.

The case also led to the seizure of physical cash and a luxury vehicle, which investigators say were part of the proceeds from the ransomware scheme.

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