Russian influencer and crypto queen (24) arrested for donating 20 million euros to Ukrainian army

russia - Russian influencer Valeria Fedyakina, known as Bitmama, has been arrested for fraudulently sending over 20 million euros to support Ukrainian troops.

Russian influencer Valeria Fedyakina, also known as Bitmama, has been arrested for fraud and sending over 20 million euros in support to Ukrainian troops. The 24-year-old scammer presented herself as a crypto expert, pretending to have offices in Moscow, Dubai, Monaco, Serbia, and Turkey. She convinced her followers to trust her with their millions, leading victims to hand over significant amounts of money; one victim claimed to be missing nearly 65 million euros, according to NewsX.

Investigations by Russian authorities revealed that Fedyakina had swindled 20 million euros in just two months. Police stated the influencer persuaded her victims to transfer large sums of money to Dubai crypto to circumvent bank restrictions. She promised clients a 1 percent bonus once the money was converted into crypto. However, the capital disappeared almost immediately as the influencer funneled the millions to the Ukrainian front to aid the country in defending itself against the Russian invasion.

Fedyakina was arrested in September 2023. Despite being six months pregnant, the court refused to grant her house arrest until after giving birth. She was taken to a special hospital when the baby arrived, and following the birth, she was promptly returned to prison. The 24-year-old's lawyer denies Fedyakina supports Ukraine, claiming she actually favors the Russian invasion. The suspect allegedly intends to donate money to the Russian army now. Additionally, her lawyer asserts she is a victim of a conspiracy and paid her clients with her own money, which Fedyakina claims was never reimbursed.

Fedyakina is due to appear in court next month, facing the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, as reported by the UK newspaper Daily Mail.