FBI Ran Money-Laundering Operation To Trap Hackers - 1

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FBI Ran Money-Laundering Operation To Trap Hackers

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

The FBI arrested one of the dark web’s most prolific money launderers—and then secretly took over his operation for nearly a year to catch other criminals, as reported in a detailed analysis by 404 Media .

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • FBI arrested dark web launderer ElonmuskWHM, real name Anurag Murarka.
  • Agents ran his operation secretly for nearly a year post-arrest.
  • Data dragnet included YouTube viewer IDs, raising privacy concerns.

The launderer went by the online name ElonmuskWHM, advertising anonymous cash delivery services to hackers and drug dealers via the now-defunct dark web site White House Market.

His service was simple: send cryptocurrency, and he’d mail you cash. No ID, no questions asked. He demanded a 20% fee for all dirty funds.

In 2023, the FBI finally arrested the man behind the name—Anurag Pramod Murarka, a 30-year-old Indian national. Authorities lured him into the U.S. by approving a visa application, said 404 Media.

But instead of shutting down the operation, they kept it running to identify and investigate Murarka’s clients, as reported by 404 Media. These included major drug traffickers and members of hacking groups, such as Scattered Spider , which caused millions in damage with attacks.

According to Gabrielle Dudgeon, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kentucky, criminals thought they were communicating with ElonmuskWHM. “The FBI then investigated the launderer’s customers, including drug traffickers and hackers,” he added, as reported by 404 Media

According to the analysis the laundering service was very active. Court records show that nearly $90 million in cryptocurrency flowed through it. Murarka bragged about making $30 million, bragging that he could move $1 million per week and operate across continents. He said he could deliver $100,000 in one day in the U.S. and said, “Fuck LE, fuck the LAW.”

404 Media reports that Murarka’s clients, many of them drug dealers and cybercriminals, used the service to avoid traditional crypto exchanges that require ID checks and cooperate with law enforcement.

The FBI didn’t just follow the money, 404 Media reports that they became the money. Investigators mailed and received cash inside children’s books and used the operation to identify individuals shipping packages from New York. One courier, referred to only as “Eric,” eventually cooperated with law enforcement.

To identify Murarka, the FBI even sent him YouTube videos and asked Google to hand over the data of everyone who watched them during a specific week. 404 Media notes that this aggressive data request, which some experts called unconstitutional, raised major privacy concerns.

U.S. Government To Monitor Immigrants’ Social Media For Antisemitism - 2

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U.S. Government To Monitor Immigrants’ Social Media For Antisemitism

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday that it will begin screening immigrants’ social media activity to detect antisemitism and deny immigration requests.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • USCIS will screen immigrants’ social media profiles to detect antisemitism.
  • Aliens supporting antisemitic ideologies or terrorism will be denied immigration benefits.
  • The government will use data analytics tools previously used to recognize violent aliens.

According to the official announcement , the new measures have been taken in alliance with President Donald Trump’s orders and initiatives to protect the homeland from terrorists and extremists.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will consider international students and aliens with legal residency and visas who support antisemitic ideologies or terrorism, as well as organizations such as Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, or Ansar Allah.

“There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin.

A few weeks ago, USCIS said that it wanted to screen social media profiles of citizens applying for visas. The details of which platforms are being considered for the new measures and the strategies have not been disclosed, but in current application forms, people are already asked to share profiles from social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and X.

According to NBC News , the government uses data analytics tools previously used during Biden’s administration, run by Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center and National Vetting Center. The software is similar to the one used for keeping dangerous people from entering the U.S.

A former official told the news division that during the previous government, it was used to recognize violent students, not non-violent aliens. “We were not targeting political activity or speech. We would only review them if they were inciting violence,” said the official.

The U.S. government has been deploying other technologies for immigration control. A few weeks ago, the DHS launched the CBP Home app to allow illegal aliens to self-deport and avoid detention under the “Stay Out and Leave Now” campaign.