UK intelligence uncovers Russian money-laundering operation
The special services of the United Kingdom have successfully uncovered a substantial "money laundering" scheme used by Russian operatives. According to the Russian-language portal "Important Stories," this scheme was employed to finance foreign criminal groups and support the activities of Russian spies.
One of the most significant discoveries in such a case occurred recently in the United Kingdom. Investigators, with the support of intelligence services, managed to uncover an illegally operating "money laundering" scheme used by Russians to bypass Western sanctions.
Russian-language media report that billions flowed through the programme during its operation, which were utilised to support Russian spies and fund criminal groups globally. The operation of this scheme heavily relied on cryptocurrency, exchanged in cities including Moscow, London, and Dubai.
Investments were reported to have been conducted from the end of 2022 to the summer of 2023 through firms named Smart and TGR. According to the UK's National Crime Agency, such activities were "threatening the integrity of the economy and directly aided the circumvention of sanctions by Russian propaganda media targeting the United Kingdom.
"Money laundering networks" dismantled
For the first time, we were able to identify connections between the Russian elite, cybercriminals dealing in cryptocurrencies, and drug gangs on the streets of the United Kingdom. The thread that connects them – the united faction of Smart and TGR – had so far remained invisible – said Rob Jones, the Director-General of Operations of the NCA, quoted by "Important Stories."
Additionally, apart from Russian clients, one of the entities funded by the Russian "money laundering networks" is said to be the Irish drug gang Kinahan Cartel. At present, 84 people have been arrested in this case, many of whom are already serving prison sentences.
