Wealthy Russian businessman arrested in London on suspicion of multiple offenses, including money laundering

CNN
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The UK’s National Crime Agency said in a statement on Saturday that a wealthy Russian businessman had been arrested in a “major operation” on suspicion of multiple crimes.

The 58-year-old was arrested on Thursday at his “millions of pounds’ residence in London by officers from the NCA’s Petty Regime Prevention” on suspicion of crimes including money laundering , conspiracy to defraud the Home Office – the UK government agency for immigration and passports – and conspiracy to commit perjury, the agency said.

A 35-year-old man, who worked at the facility, was also arrested “nearby” on suspicion of money laundering and obstructing an officer “after he was seen leaving the address with a shopping bag”. thousand pounds in cash.” according to the statement.

A third man, 39, who the agency says is the ex-boyfriend of the businessman’s current partner, was arrested at his home in Pimlico, London, on charges including money laundering and prostitution. fraud scheme, according to the statement.

A person close to the investigation provided CNN with more details about two of the men arrested, saying that the 39-year-old was of Russian, Israeli and UK citizenship and the man 35 years old with Polish nationality. The source told CNN that the amount of money the 35-year-old was carrying has yet to be counted but is believed to be in the tens of thousands and in British currency.

The three individuals have been interviewed by authorities and have been released on bail, according to the statement.

The Russian embassy in London has sent a note to British authorities regarding the detention of a Russian citizen, according to a statement from the embassy provided to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

“The Russian Embassy in London has requested the British authorities to clarify information from the National Crime Agency about the alleged detention of a Russian citizen in London,” the statement read, according to RIA Novosti.

The agency’s director general, Graeme Biggar, said: “The NCA’s Anti-Kleptocracy Division, which was created only this year, is having considerable success investigating potential criminal activity by heads of state. oligarchs, professional service providers that support and facilitate them as well as those connected to the Russian regime”.

“We will continue to use all available strength and tactics to disrupt this threat,” he added.

The statement said more than 50 officers were involved in the operation at the businessman’s London residence. “Several digital devices and a substantial amount of cash were recovered following an extensive search by NCA investigators,” according to the statement.

To date, the agency says it has secured nearly 100 incidents of disturbances “against elites affiliated with Putin and their supporters” and has taken direct action against “a significant number of people.” elites have a direct impact on the UK”.

According to the statement, the agency is also targeting “less conventional routes used to conceal substantial asset movements, such as the sale of high-value assets through the auction house”.