‘Rich Russian businessman’ arrested by UK crime company over cash laundering claims

A “rich Russian businessman” has been arrested on suspicion of offences together with cash laundering.

The person, 58, was detained by officers from a specialist kleptocracy unit at his multi-million pound residence in London, the Nationwide Crime Company (NCA) mentioned.

The company mentioned the person was arrested on suspicion of offences together with cash laundering, conspiracy to defraud the Dwelling Workplace and conspiracy to commit perjury as a part of a serious operation on Thursday.

A 35-year-old man employed at his residence was additionally arrested on suspicion of cash laundering and obstruction of an NCA officer after he was seen leaving the deal with with a bag discovered to comprise 1000’s of kilos in money.

A 3rd man, aged 39, who’s the previous boyfriend of the businessman’s present accomplice, was arrested at his residence in Pimlico, London, on suspicion of cash laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

All three have been interviewed by the NCA earlier than being launched on bail.

Graeme Biggar, director common of the NCA, mentioned: “The NCA‘s Combatting Kleptocracy Cell, solely established this yr, is having important success investigating potential prison exercise by oligarchs, the skilled service suppliers that assist and allow them, and people linked to the Russian regime.

“We’ll proceed to make use of all of the powers and techniques accessible to us to disrupt this risk.”

The NCA mentioned it was the most recent operation carried out as a part of its efforts to disrupt the actions of corrupt worldwide enterprise figures and their enablers.

Nearly 100 “disruptions” – actions that take away or cut back a prison risk – have been carried out in opposition to Putin-linked elites and their enablers, together with account freezing orders (AFOs) over accounts held by folks intently linked to sanctioned Russians, in response to the NCA.

“The cell has additionally investigated and brought discreet motion in opposition to a big variety of elites who affect immediately on the UK, in addition to concentrating on much less typical routes used to disguise actions of serious wealth, equivalent to high-value asset gross sales through public sale homes,” the NCA mentioned.

“Internationally, the NCA‘s work has assisted within the freezing of quite a few properties, eight yachts and 4 plane, and it continues to work in live performance with the Workplace of Monetary Sanctions Implementation to make sure that different property within the UK are frozen, in addition to with international companions to focus on illicit wealth held overseas.”

With further reporting from the Press Affiliation