International Money Laundering Operation Unraveled with 23 Arrests and Seizures Across Europe

International Money Laundering Operation Unraveled with 23 Arrests and Seizures Across Europe

(IN BRIEF) An international investigation led to the arrest of 23 individuals involved in a large-scale money laundering scheme that helped criminals launder approximately EUR 100 million. The group, operating across several countries including Spain, Cyprus, and Germany, used both cryptocurrencies and physical cash transport to facilitate the illegal transactions. The investigation began in 2023 when suspicious money transfers were detected by Spanish authorities, which led to a series of coordinated operations across multiple countries. A total of EUR 8 million in cash was seized, alongside EUR 27 million in frozen cryptocurrency. This multinational operation was supported by Eurojust and Europol, with law enforcement agencies from Spain, Cyprus, France, and Germany participating in the crackdown. The investigation is ongoing.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 28-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — An extensive international investigation has culminated in the arrest of 23 individuals linked to a highly sophisticated money laundering operation. This criminal network acted as a financial intermediary, enabling other criminals to launder their illicit profits. The operation facilitated the laundering of approximately EUR 100 million, with authorities successfully dismantling the group following a concerted effort by law enforcement agencies from Spain, Cyprus, Germany, France, Eurojust, and Europol. The crackdown led to the seizure of over EUR 8 million in cash and the freezing of EUR 27 million in cryptocurrencies.

The investigation into the group began in 2023, when Spanish border police observed suspicious activities involving frequent trips from their airports carrying large sums of money. These trips were directed to Cyprus, where the criminal profits were subsequently laundered. During one of these operations, authorities intercepted and seized more than EUR 1.8 million.

It was uncovered that the group provided money laundering services for other criminal enterprises, operating as a financial conduit to transfer illicit funds across borders. Cryptocurrencies played a key role in moving these funds, while physical cash was transported on commercial flights, predominantly to Cyprus, and via public transport to neighboring countries, including Spain. The group managed to process between four and six money laundering transactions each week.

This operation was highly organized, with at least 52 individuals involved in its operation, primarily based in Spain and Cyprus. They liaised with external contacts from commercial entities worldwide to facilitate the laundering process.

Given the European scope of the financial service, authorities coordinated an international response through a joint investigation team (JIT), set up at Eurojust, involving Spanish, Cypriot, and German authorities, alongside Eurojust and Europol. The JIT facilitated the exchange of information between tax and judicial authorities, leading to the successful disruption of the criminal group. Europol provided critical expertise, particularly in financial crime, high-risk criminal network operations, and cryptocurrency tracing.

In October and November 2024, coordinated raids took place in Spain, France, Cyprus, and Slovenia, targeting the core members and associates of the criminal group. A total of 91 searches were carried out, with 77 in Spain, one in France, and 13 in Cyprus. These operations led to the arrest of 20 individuals in Spain, one in France, and two in Slovenia. In addition to the cash and cryptocurrency seizures, authorities froze EUR 2 million in bank accounts. The investigation remains ongoing.

The following law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation:

• Spain: Investigating Judge no 2 of El Prat de Llobregat; Public Prosecution Office of Barcelona; Guardia Civil Special Central Unit 3, Destabilizing Threat Group-UCO
• Cyprus: Attorney General’s Office; MOKAS (Unit for Combating Money Laundering); Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
• Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office, Landshut; Customs Investigation Office, München
• France: Judicial Court of Marseille; Interregional Specialised Jurisdiction against Organised Crime (JIRS); National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF), Marseille/Nice.

Media Contact:

Eurojust Press Team
Phone: + 31 70 412 55 00
media@eurojust.europa.eu

SOURCE: EUROJUST