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London — British authorities have arrested a wealthy Russian businessman on suspicion of money laundering amid efforts to disrupt possible criminal activity by oligarchs and others linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The National Crime Agency said more than 50 officers from the special unit raided the suspect’s multi-million pound home in London on Thursday, seizing a number of digital devices and a “substantial” amount of cash. The man had no name.
“The NCA’s Combating Kleptocracy Cell, established just this year, is making significant progress in investigating the potential criminal activity of oligarchs, the professional service providers who support and enable them, and those linked to the Russian regime,” said agency director general Graeme Bigger. is.” statement on Saturday. “We will continue to use all the forces and tactics at our disposal to disrupt this threat.”
The arrests come as Britain works with the United States, the European Union and other countries to stem the flow of money to Putin’s regime following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to the British government, the UK has imposed sanctions on more than 1,300 individuals and entities, including 120 wealthy business leaders with estimated worldwide assets of more than 130 billion pounds ($160 billion).
The businessman targeted in Thursday’s raid was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, conspiracy to commit perjury and conspiracy to defraud the Home Office, the government agency responsible for immigration and law enforcement.
A 35-year-old man, who works at the suspect’s residence, was also arrested after he was seen leaving the property with a bag containing thousands of pounds in cash, the agency said. A third man, 39, the ex-boyfriend of the businessman’s current partner, was arrested at his home in the Pimlico area of west London on suspicion of offenses including money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.
The NCA said the operation was part of its effort to disrupt the activities of corrupt international business persons and their supporters. About 100 operations have been conducted to eliminate or reduce criminal threats against elites linked to Putin, the agency said.
“The Treasury has also investigated and taken prudential action against a significant number of elites with a direct impact on the UK, as well as targeting less traditional routes used to conceal the movement of significant assets, such as the sale of high-value assets through auction houses.” The agency said.
In October, the NCA said it had arrested another London-based businessman on suspicion of helping sanctioned Russian oligarchs hide ownership of properties in the UK.
The agency said it worked with law enforcement agencies around the world to “target illegal assets held abroad,” helping them freeze assets including numerous properties, eight yachts and four aircraft.
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