From shadowy Bitcoin exchanges to Interpol’s most wanted, Alexander Vinnik was the alleged kingpin behind BTC-e, a $4bn crypto laundering empire. Learn more about him, and how he became a geopolitical pawn between the US, France, and Russia. Plus! Hear how concert-goers are being warned about a swathe of scams hitting stadiums and arenas around the world.
All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the “Smashing Security” podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.
PLUS! Don’t miss our featured interview with Cliff Crosland of Scanner.dev.
Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.
*Episode links:*
* Russian National And Bitcoin Exchange Charged In 21-Count Indictment For Operating Alleged International Money Laundering Scheme And Allegedly Laundering Funds From Hack Of Mt. Gox
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/russian-national-and-bitcoin-exchange-charged-21-count-indictment-operating-alleged) – US Dept of Justice.
* BTC-e Operator Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy
https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/btc-e-operator-pleads-guilty-money-laundering-conspiracy – US Dept of Justice.
* US releases Russian cybercriminal as part of exchange for teacher Marc Fogel
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/13/russian-alexander-vinnik-marc-fogel – The Guardian.
* Lloyds Bank issues urgent warning over Taylor Swift ticket scams
https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/media/press-releases/2024/lloyds-bank-2024/lloyds-bank-issues-urgent-warning-over-taylor-swift-ticket-scams.html – Lloyds.
* Warning after more than 120k people queue for Black Sabbath Villa Park tickets as fans say ‘scam’
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/warning-after-more-120k-people-31005277 – Birmingham Live.
* ‘Don’t buy tickets for Beyoncé’ – Minister Gayton McKenzie warns South Africans of concert scam
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/don-t-buy-tickets-for-beyonc%C3%A9-minister-gayton-mckenzie-warns-south-africans-of-concert-scam/ar-AA1yNJHA – Independent Online.
* Beyonce Cowboy Carter tour fake tickets scam: Ticketmaster warns fans
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/02/07/beyonce-cowboy-carter-tour-fake-tickets-ticketmaster/78326139007/ – USA Today.
* Singapore ticket scam queen jailed for three years after conning 76 Taylor Swift fans of S$110,000
https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/singapore-ticket-scam-queen-jailed-071643134.html – Malaysia News.
* Did Ozzy Osbourne really eat a bat?
https://rockandrollgarage.com/did-ozzy-osbourne-really-ate-a-bat/ – Rock and Roll Garage.
* How to stop hiccups
https://grahamcluley.com/how-to-stop-hiccups-when-speaking-to-a-journalist/ – Graham Cluley.
* The Telepathy Tapes podcast
https://thetelepathytapes.com/
* Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)
https://www.smashingsecurity.com/store/
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS:
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#cybersecurity #cybercrime #podcast
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