Financial Crime World

Financial Crime Examples in Lithuania Exposed: €2 Billion Laundered through Money-Laundering Service

A major financial institution in Lithuania was used as a money-laundering service by thousands of criminals across the European Union, investigators revealed today. The Electronic Money Institution (EMI) offered money laundering online as a service to criminals, making fictitious financial transactions via a web of enterprises run by strawmen.

Investigation Details

The investigation, led by Eurojust and Europol, uncovered that around €2 billion was laundered through EMI over the last seven years. Two main suspects, residing in Lithuania and Latvia, were arrested during raids today in Italy, Latvia, and Lithuania. The Organised Crime Gang (OCG) laundered the proceeds of a range of criminal activities, including:

  • Tax evasion
  • Cyber fraud
  • Fake bankruptcy
  • Organized crime such as drug trafficking

Money Laundering Scheme

The laundered money was injected into the Latvian and Lithuanian economies through the purchase of real estate and luxury vehicles. A third main suspect, leading another OCG, was arrested for defrauding Italian authorities of €5 million in public funds, which were also laundered via EMI.

Assets Seized and Frozen

A total of 55 properties were raided, and €11.5 million in assets and bank accounts were frozen. Investigations into the OCG were initiated by the Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Naples and Lecce in Italy, involving counterparts in Latvia and Lithuania through Eurojust.

International Collaboration

The operation was facilitated by a joint investigation team between national authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol. Eurojust Vice-President Margarita Šniutytė-Daugėlienė, National Member for Italy Aldo Ingangi, and National Member for Latvia Dagmāra Skudra jointly stated that the collaboration shows the importance of a well-coordinated approach across Europe.

Law Enforcement Agencies Involved

The actions in the three countries were carried out at the request of and by:

  • Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Naples and Lecce
  • Guardia di Finanza of Naples and Lecce
  • Prosecutor General’s Office, Rīga Judicial Region Prosecution Office
  • 1st Unit of the Economic Crime Enforcement Department of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police
  • Vilnius Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office
  • Vilnius County Police Headquarters

This joint effort demonstrates the commitment to combating financial crime and protecting the integrity of the European financial system.