European regulation enforcement in January arrested 17 suspects of a “mafia crypto financial institution” who’re mentioned to have laundered over 21 million euros ($23.5 million) in crypto for prison entities in China and the Center East.
The cash laundering companies had been allegedly carried out on behalf of different prison networks engaged in migrant smuggling and drug trafficking, Europol mentioned in a Could 14 assertion.
Spanish authorities mentioned the prison group ran a secret casual cash switch system known as hawala and was typically compensated in crypto.
A complete of 17 people had been arrested — 15 in Spain, one in Austria and one in Belgium — whereas 4.5 million euros ($5 million) price of things had been seized, together with money, crypto, 18 autos, 4 shotguns and several other digital units.
Of the 4.5 million euros, 183,000 euros ($205,000) got here as crypto. One other 421,000 euros ($471,000) in money was seized from 77 financial institution accounts tied to the prison group, which one Spanish information outlet described as a “mafia crypto financial institution.”
Luxurious luggage, watches and even cigars price 876,000 euros ($980,000) had been additionally seized, Spanish officers mentioned.
The arrests and asset seizures occurred in January 2025, throughout Spain, Austria and Belgium, Europol mentioned. Greater than 250 officers had been concerned, Spanish authorities added.
Most of these arrested have already been detained
Of the 17 arrested, 15 have already been imprisoned as alleged perpetrators of the crimes linked to the group.
Most of these arrested had been of Chinese language and Syrian nationality, focusing on purchasers in China and the Arabic-speaking prison world.
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The prison group tried to cowl up its cash laundering actions by working a remittance enterprise, and even marketed these companies on social media.
The investigation was led by a courtroom in Almería, Spain, which supported Europol’s efforts to coordinate Spanish and Belgian officers to dismantle the prison group.
Blockchain forensics agency Chainalysis estimates that illicit crypto transactions totaled $51.3 billion in 2024, marking an 11.3% year-on-year enhance.
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