Ex-Haifa Resident Suspected of Millions in Crypto, Undeclared Russian Bank Accounts

Leonid Lefshov, a former resident of Haifa who now primarily lives abroad, is suspected of conducting virtual currency sales and conversions totaling approximately 2 million shekels without reporting them to tax authorities. He is also accused of failing to declare three bank accounts held in Russia.

According to the suspicions, between 2019 and 2020, Lefshov engaged in virtual currency transactions on an overseas trading platform, amounting to about 2 million shekels. Furthermore, from 2019 to 2021, he allegedly maintained three bank accounts in Russia. One of these accounts reportedly held around $500,000, another held approximately 600,000 rubles, and a third held about 20,000 euros.

Lefshov is also under investigation for additional offenses related to income tax and money laundering laws. The investigation became public yesterday, and the suspect was questioned. He was subsequently brought before the Haifa Magistrate's Court, which released him under restrictive conditions, including a 180-day travel ban and the surrender of his passport.