Israeli Resident Suspected of Laundering $2 Million in Crypto in Russia

A Haifa court released Leonid Lapshov, a former Haifa resident now living abroad, under restrictive conditions yesterday. Lapshov is suspected of serious offenses under the Income Tax Ordinance and the Anti-Money Laundering Law. The investigation, led by the Haifa and North Tax Authority's investigation unit, uncovered suspicions that Lapshov was extensively involved in international virtual currency trading.

Between 2019 and 2020, Lapshov allegedly conducted sales and conversions of digital currencies totaling approximately 2 million shekels without reporting these earnings to Israeli tax authorities. The investigation also revealed additional aspects related to the concealment of assets abroad.

Findings indicate that from 2019 to 2021, Lapshov held funds in three separate bank accounts in Russia. One account contained an estimated $500,000, another held about 600,000 rubles, and a third held approximately 20,000 euros. These holdings were also not reported to Israeli tax authorities.

The investigation officially became public yesterday when Lapshov was questioned under caution and presented with evidence gathered against him. He was subsequently brought before a judge at the Haifa Magistrate's Court, who ordered his release under restrictive conditions, including a 180-day travel ban and the surrender of his passport.