Title: Five Arrested in Belgium in Major €9.5 Million Money Laundering Probe
Arrests and Seizures in Antwerp and Surrounding Areas
In a significant development in an ongoing money laundering investigation, the Belgian public prosecutor’s office announced the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of:
- Luxury watches
- €700,000 in cash
- Weapons
- Ten vehicles
The raids, which took place last week in Antwerp, Brasschaat, Stabroek, Vorst, and Knokke-Heist, uncovered a money laundering network estimated to be worth €9.5 million.
46-Year-Old Belgian Man Believed to be the Mastermind
The primary suspect, a 46-year-old Belgian man, is believed to have used several of his own companies and a network of individuals to launder large sums of money, primarily from:
- The import of cocaine
- Allegedly, multinational oil companies
According to prosecutors, the man provided services to criminal organizations trying to extract cocaine shipments from the Port of Antwerp.
Suspected Money Laundering through False Contracts and Invoices
It is also suspected that the man laundered funds from oil companies through false contracts and invoices. These false invoices were then transferred to his own companies and foreign accounts in the UAE and Bulgaria.
Luxury Watches Used for Money Laundering
The final stage of the money laundering process involved the purchase and sale of luxury watches.
Investigation Began in 2020 with Help from Cracked Sky ECC Messaging System
The investigation, which began in 2020, received a significant boost with the help of data obtained from the cracking of the Sky ECC messaging system.
Simultaneous Raids Conducted in Switzerland and the UK
In addition to the raids in Belgium, similar operations were conducted in Switzerland and the UK at the request of Belgian authorities.
Five Males Charged with Money Laundering, Forgery, and Criminal Organization
As a result of the searches, five males, aged between 33 and 51, were brought before a Belgian investigating judge on charges of money laundering, forgery, and criminal organization.
One Suspect Released on Condition, Remaining Four Placed under Arrest Warrants
One suspect was released on condition, while the remaining four were placed under arrest warrants. The investigation remains ongoing.