Finnish Court Convicts Three in €3 Million Online Fraud and Money Laundering Case with Irish Collaboration
July 18, 2019
An organized crime group (OCG) responsible for extended online fraud and money laundering operations across several European countries was dismantled with the assistance of Irish and Finnish national authorities and Eurojust. The intricate web of deceit involving the offer of non-existent goods and services to unwitting victims and the laundering of over €3 million in illicit proceeds was met with a robust response from European law enforcement agencies.
Finnish Convictions
In Finland, three members of the OCG were recently convicted for aggravated money laundering and forgery offenses. The sentences ranged from one year to two years and three months.
- Suspect A: One-year sentence
- Suspect B: Two-year sentence
- Suspect C: Two-years and three-months sentence
Nineteen other suspects were arrested in Ireland, with five charged, one of whom pleaded guilty, and the remaining four remanded in custody pending trial.
Fraudulent Activities
The OCG orchestrated their fraudulent activities through fabricated online platforms, offering non-existent:
- Luxury cars
- Tractors
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Accommodation
To receive online payments from their unsuspecting victims, the criminals opened numerous accounts in both Finland and Ireland using forged identity cards, passports, working permits, rental contracts, and utility bills.
Seizure of Evidence
Following coordinated searches by the Garda Síochána (Ireland’s National Police Service) and the Finnish Border Guard and Police in both countries, an extensive cache of fabricated documentation, equipment for document forgery, laptops, and cash were seized as evidence. Europol provided critical assistance to national authorities in cross-checking data and identifying the victims of the fraud.
Ongoing Investigations
Suspects connected to the OCG are currently under investigation for criminal organization involvement, fraud, money laundering, forgery, and registration offenses in both countries. The ongoing investigations will strive to bring all perpetrators to justice and prevent further instances of financial fraud and money laundering.
International Cooperation
The European law enforcement collaboration demonstrated through this complex investigation underscores the significance of international cooperation in addressing transnational organized crime, safeguarding European citizens, and upholding financial security.