Swedish Money Laundering Suspect Arrested in UAE, Six More Held in Sweden
The UAE detained a Swedish national wanted for leading an international money laundering network, while six alleged members were simultaneously arrested in Sweden.
UAE and Sweden Dismantle Cross-Border Money Laundering Network
The United Arab Emirates has detained a Swedish citizen suspected of heading an international criminal network wanted under an Interpol Red Notice, ua.news reports, citing Anadolu Agency. The UAE Ministry of Interior announced the arrest on 17 September.
The operation was carried out in coordination with Swedish authorities as part of a joint effort against transnational organised crime, the ministry said. The suspect had fled Sweden prior to the arrest and was tracked down through intelligence sharing between UAE and Swedish law enforcement.
Simultaneously with the arrest in the UAE, Swedish police detained six additional members of the network on home soil. Abdulaziz Al-Ahmad, director general of the UAE Ministry of Interior's Federal Criminal Police, and Anders Wiberg, head of the Swedish Police's International Department, both gave positive assessments of the bilateral cooperation during the operation.
Over a period of ten months, the network processed around 70 million Swedish kronor — approximately $7.5 million — according to the UAE Ministry of Interior. The funds comprised cash proceeds from criminal activity subsequently funnelled to other criminal groups.
The network also used cryptocurrencies to move money, the ministry said. Analysis of digital evidence and cryptocurrency transactions revealed financial links to further criminal activity, including organised crime and contract killings, according to UAE authorities.
Source: Google News AE