A common front against crime
Recently, a collaboration between the authorities of Andorra, France and Spain, under the supervision of Europol, has given rise to a coordinated court operation that has resulted in the arrest of seven individuals suspected of money laundering and tax fraud.
Start of research
The French National Gendarmerie opened an investigation in January 2024, following a complaint from the TRAFIN Intelligence Service. This complaint highlighted suspicious bank movements linked to a company dedicated to the sale and rental of luxury vehicles, which had received transfers of approximately two million euros from a company of the Arab Emirates, with no relation to the car business.
Descending the Capital Whites
Indagments revealed a complex system of capital laundering related to an international pyramid scam. This scheme, which operated as a Ponzi system, has caused losses that rise to millions of euros.
Cross -border collaboration
The researchers identified dealerships in Andorra who would have benefited from the purchase of luxury vehicles with the illegal funds. This led to an intensified collaboration between the French and Andorran authorities, with the support of Europol.
Coordinated actions and results
Last Tuesday, security forces performed simultaneous actions in Andorra, France and Spain, resulting in the arrest of five people in France and the execution of a European arrest order in Spain. The operations included records in various locations and the confiscation of luxury vehicles and valuable clocks.
Arrests and confiscations
In France and Spain, vehicles valued at 3.5 million euros were confiscated, along with luxury watches. In Andorra, four vehicles were removed, a significant amount of money was blocked in bank accounts, and a 34 -year -old woman was arrested linked to one of the companies involved.
Methods used in the operation
The group implemented a scheme that involved the acquisition of high -end vehicles in various European countries. These vehicles were recorded in the name of an Andorran company and fictional rental contracts were created to avoid taxes and facilitate the use of vehicles abroad.
Differences in crime schemes
Unlike a previous similar case, the current detainees funded their operations with money obtained from a pyramidal scam, which adds a new layer of complexity to the investigation.
The future of research
The operation is still active, with the possibility of more arrests as authorities delve into the connections and mechanisms of this capital laundering scheme. International collaboration is essential to combat financial crime in an increasingly interconnected world.
