Based on available data from the media and social networks, raids by Russian security forces (including police and FSB officers) in the offices of cryptocurrency exchange services in the business center 'Moscow-City' have been ongoing for about three weeks. They began around the beginning of September 2025 and are related to checks for illegal capital outflows abroad, particularly to Dubai (UAE). This is not a full criminal case, but a procedural check, with seizures of assets and equipment. Here are the key facts as of today:

Main details of the raids

  • Start date and duration: Inspections began in early September (according to some sources — September 25). By September 26–27, they last for 2–3 weeks, and law enforcement continues to visit offices.

  • Objectives of the inspections:

    • Illegal withdrawal of funds to Dubai and other jurisdictions (UAE).

    • Payments to factories in China through cryptocurrency and shadow transfers (law enforcement is looking for links to supplies, including drones and other goods).

    • Possible involvement of officials in schemes (mentioned in leaks, but without specifics).


  • Affected companies: Main focus on crypto exchanges Rapira and Mosca (formerly known as ABCeX). Other services disguising themselves as travel agencies or IT companies are also being checked.

  • Seizures:

    • More than $10 million, 100 million rubles, and 200 thousand euros in cash (as of a week ago; the total amount may be higher).

    • In one of the offices, $20 million, 200 million rubles, and €400 thousand were previously seized.

    • Equipment (servers, computers), documents, and electronic media.

    • Funds are "frozen" in several Chinese exchanges.


Reactions from companies and law enforcement

  • Rapira: The company confirmed that the checks have been ongoing for two weeks but denies any connection to the withdrawal to Dubai. Employees of the legal department are allegedly assisting law enforcement.


  • Mosca: Searches here are linked to previous incidents (for example, fraud of 430 million rubles in 2024–2025, where funds were transferred through crypto to Ukraine).


  • Law enforcement: They operate with lists of "needed" people for access to offices. According to Telegram channels (Baza, ВЧК-ОГПУ), the raids are targeted — not all crypto offices, but only those working with China and shadow transfers. Participants in the schemes (intermediaries) delete correspondence and get rid of gadgets.

Context and possible consequences

  • This is part of a broader campaign to "clean up" crypto exchanges in Moscow-City from illegal activities. Previously (in 2024), there were raids related to the financing of a terrorist act at Crocus City Hall (through Beribit and ABCeX), which led to a ban on anonymous exchanges.

  • Experts note that such checks strengthen control over crypto in Russia amid sanctions and parallel imports (payments to China through crypto). The total turnover of suspicious transactions through "City" is estimated in the hundreds of millions of rubles.

  • As of today, no new arrests or initiation of criminal cases have been reported, but law enforcement warned that they would "turn everything upside down" in this matter.

Table of key events (timeline based on sources)

DateEventSourceBeginning of September 2025Start of procedural check for withdrawal to Dubai and payments to ChinaBaza, ВЧК-ОГПУSeptember 25, 2025Mass visit from law enforcement to offices with crypto (Rapira, Mosca)Bits MediaA week ago (around September 20)Seizure of $20 million, 200 million rubles, and €400 thousand in one officeRBC, The Moscow TimesSeptember 26, 2025Confirmation of the three-week nature of the raids; focus on officialsTASS, X-postsSeptember 27, 2025Raids continue; funds frozen in ChinaRBC, Baza