Overview
- The Home Office confirmed on Friday that Stanislav Carpiuc, 28, has been removed from the UK and is subject to a re-entry ban following his two-year sentence for conspiring to damage property by fire.
- Carpiuc was one of two men recruited via an anonymous Russian‑language Telegram account called 'El Money' that promised cryptocurrency in return for arson attacks on a Toyota RAV4 and two properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer in May 2025.
- Roman Lavrynovych, who carried out the fires and was convicted of damaging property by fire and recklessness as to whether life was endangered, remains jailed for seven years.
- Counter Terrorism Policing London says it has found no firm evidence tying the 'El Money' account to any specific individual, group, or organisation despite media reports suggesting a possible Russian link.
- The case highlights how encrypted apps and cryptocurrency can be used to recruit low‑level operatives, raises fresh questions about attribution and foreign influence, and may prompt further probes into online sabotage networks.