Russian spies were allegedly planning to interrupt signals on Wall Street and prompt a “meltdown flash crash” like what occurred in the financial sector in 2010. The FBI believes the Russian spy ring was going to destabilize the same high-frequency trading systems blamed for the 2010 Wall Street flash crash.

Suspected Russian spies came under FBI scrutiny in 2010 after 10 alleged intelligence agents were arrested in the United States. One of those arrested on spying charges was femme fatale Anna Chapman. All 10 of the individuals suspected of espionage were ultimately a part of a Cold War style prisoner swap with Russia.

Russian spy Anna Chapman.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Anna Chapman was recently “training” rebels in Urkaine. Vladimir Putin is reportedly using Chapman as a propaganda “weapon of mass destruction.” The Russia spy was featured on the cover of Maxim. Chapman was photographed on a Russian tank that was allegedly used in the Ukraine by Moscow-backed rebel fighters. “It’s almost 6 a.m. and 3,000 handsome men are still sleeping. I am very lucky to be at the heart of my motherland’s army. It’s a very special day for me,” The Russian spy said on Russian Ren TV.

During the 2010 Wall Street flash crash, fears that “robot” trading or automated trading were vulnerable to cyber hackers and terrorists were realized. The Dow Jones lost 1,000 points within minutes.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Igor Sporyshev was allegedly working with fellow accused Russian spy, Victor Podobnyy. The 27-year-old alleged was registered as a trade representative from the former Soviet Union and was reportedly tasked with recruiting women into their cause. Podobnyy left the United States on Monday, citing diplomatic immunity protections. Evgeny Buryakov, a third suspected Russian spy, was allegedly helping to plan a “Wall Street meltdown.” Federal prosecutors believe that Buryakov was attempting to recruit female American college students and women who worked in the financial sector.

Igor Sporyshev, who also left America under the cover of diplomatic immunity, was allegedly the handler of Evgeny Buryakov, 39. Buryakov is the only member of the alleged Russian spy ring still left in the United States. All three of the alleged Russian spies stand accused of attempting to garner information on high-frequency trading and Exchange Traded Funds – or shares bundles. The alleged Russian spy ring members also tried to get information regarding alternative energy sources currently under development in America and United States sanctions against Russia, the FBI maintains.

Russia claims that the United States has no evidence to support the spying charges.

[Image via: International Banker]