US Department of Justice Seizes Over $2.8 Million in Cryptocurrency, Cash in Zeppelin Ransomware Case

The US Department of Justice announced the seizure of over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, cash, and a luxury car as part of its investigation into Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, who is accused of using the Zeppelin malware to attack victims worldwide.

On August 14, 2025, the US Department of Justice released information about six asset seizure warrants issued by federal courts in the Eastern District of Virginia, the Central District of California, and the Northern District of Texas. The seizures included over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury car.

According to the investigation, Antropenko and his accomplices used the Zeppelin ransomware to encrypt and steal victims’ data. The attackers demanded a ransom for decryption, non-publication or deletion of data. The funds received were laundered through various schemes, including using the cryptocurrency mixing service ChipMixer, which was liquidated in 2023 as a result of an international special operation. The defendant exchanged some of the cryptocurrency for cash and deposited it into accounts with structured deposits.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI units in Dallas and Norfolk together with the Virtual Assets Division. The case is being handled by prosecutors from the Cybercrime Section (CCIPS) and district attorneys from several states.

CCIPS is a unit of the US Department of Justice that coordinates the fight against cybercrime in cooperation with national and international law enforcement agencies, as well as the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has achieved the conviction of more than 180 cybercriminals and the return of more than $ 350 million to victims. The unit also prevented the payment of over $200 million in ransoms by neutralizing several ransomware groups.

The Antropenko case demonstrates that international cybercrime schemes remain a focus of U.S. law enforcement, and that cross-border coordination and technical expertise can effectively seize assets even in complex money laundering cases.