A Russian oligarch has been arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) at his luxury home in London on suspicion of money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the Home Office, and conspiracy to commit perjury.
The NCA arrested a 58 year-old man, another who is 35 and is thought to work for the rich Russian businessman who had a bag containing thousands of pounds and was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and obstruction of an officer.
The NCA then arrested a third person aged 39, at his home in Pimlico on Saturday, again for offences including money laundering and conspiracy to defraud
Graeme Biggar, director general of the NCA, said, “The NCA’s Combatting Kleptocracy Cell, only established this year, is having significant success investigating potential criminal activity by oligarchs, the professional service providers that support and enable them and those linked to the Russian regime.
“We will continue to use all the powers and tactics available to us to disrupt this threat.”
The NCA added, “The cell has also investigated and taken discreet action against a significant number of elites who impact directly on the UK, as well as targeting less conventional routes used to disguise movements of significant wealth, such as high value asset sales via auction houses.
“Internationally, the NCA’s work has assisted in the freezing of numerous properties, eight yachts and four aircraft, and it continues to work in concert with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation to ensure that other assets in the UK are frozen, as well as with global partners to target illicit wealth held abroad.”
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