Smashing Security· Folge 405

A crypto con exchange, and soaring ticket scams

· 52 min

MP3

Shownotes

<p>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.</p><p>All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.</p><p>PLUS! Don't miss our featured interview with Cliff Crosland of Scanner.dev</p><p>Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.</p><p><strong>Episode links:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/russian-national-and-…; rel="nofollow">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</a> - US Dept of Justice.</li><li><a href="justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/btc-e-operator-ple…; rel="nofollow">BTC-e Operator Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy</a> - US Dept of Justice.</li><li><a href="theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/13/russian-al…; rel="nofollow">US releases Russian cybercriminal as part of exchange for teacher Marc Fogel</a> - The Guardian.</li><li><a href="lloydsbankinggroup.com/media/press-releases/20…; rel="nofollow">Lloyds Bank issues urgent warning over Taylor Swift ticket scams</a> - Lloyds.</li><li><a href="birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-…; rel="nofollow">Warning after more than 120k people queue for Black Sabbath Villa Park tickets as fans say 'scam'</a> - Birmingham Live.</li><li><a href="msn.com/en-za/news/other/don-t-buy-tickets-for…; rel="nofollow">‘Don’t buy tickets for Beyoncé’ - Minister Gayton McKenzie warns South Africans of concert scam</a> - Independent Online.</li><li><a href="eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025…; rel="nofollow">Beyonce Cowboy Carter tour fake tickets scam: Ticketmaster warns fans</a> - USA Today.</li><li><a href="malaysia.news.yahoo.com/singapore-ticket-scam-…; rel="nofollow">Singapore ticket scam queen jailed for three years after conning 76 Taylor Swift fans of S$110,000</a> - Malaysia News. </li><li><a href="rockandrollgarage.com/did-ozzy-osbourne-really…; rel="nofollow">Did Ozzy Osbourne really eat a bat?</a> - Rock and Roll Garage.</li><li><a href="grahamcluley.com/how-to-stop-hiccups-when-spea…; rel="nofollow">How to stop hiccups</a> - Graham Cluley.</li><li><a href="thetelepathytapes.com/"; rel="nofollow">The Telepathy Tapes podcast</a>.</li><li><a href="smashingsecurity.com/store/"; rel="nofollow">Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)</a></li></ul><br/><p><strong>Sponsored by:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="1password.com/smashing"; rel="nofollow">1Password</a> – Secure every app, device, and identity – even the unmanaged ones at <a href="1password.com/smashing"; rel="nofollow">1password.com/smashing</a>.</li><li><a href="scanner.dev/demo"; rel="nofollow">Scanner.dev</a> provides a new technology offering fast search and threat detections for security data in S3 helping teams reduce the total cost of ownership of their SIEM by up to 90%. Try the interactive playground at <a href="scanner.dev/demo"; rel="nofollow">scanner.dev/demo</a></li><li><a href="harmonic.security"; rel="nofollow">Harmonic</a> - Stop data leaks, not innovation. Zero-touch data protection for the GenAI era.</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>SUPPORT THE SHOW:</strong></p><p>Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on <a href="apple.co/2J1YMCu"; rel="nofollow">Apple Podcasts</a> or <a href="podchaser.com/podcasts/smashing-security-24472…; rel="nofollow">Podchaser</a>.</p><p>Become a supporter via <a href="patreon.com/smashingsecurity"; rel="nofollow">Patreon</a> or <a href="apple.co/2J1YMCu"; rel="nofollow">Apple Podcasts</a> for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!</p><br><p><strong>FOLLOW US:</strong></p><p>Follow us on <a href="bsky.app/profile/smashingsecurity.com"; rel="nofollow">Bluesky</a> or <a href="smashingsecurity.com/mastodon"; rel="nofollow">Mastodon</a>, or on the <a href="reddit.com/r/smashingsecurity"; rel="nofollow">Smashing Security subreddit</a>, and <a href="smashingsecurity.com/"; rel="nofollow">visit our website</a> for more episodes.</p><br><p><strong>THANKS:</strong></p><p>Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.</p><p>Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.</p><br/><br/>Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.co…;

0:00 / 0:00