A Russian businessman has been arrested in London on suspicion of money laundering as part of efforts by British authorities to root out possible criminal activity by oligarchs linked to Vladimir Putin, it was announced on Saturday.
Without identifying the suspect, England’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Saturday that more than 50 agents from a special unit raided the 58-year-old businessman’s London home on Thursday, seizing several electronic devices and a “substantial” amount of cash. .
The arrested man is suspected of money laundering, conspiracy to commit perjury and conspiracy to defraud the British Home Office, which is responsible for immigration and protection.
A 35-year-old man who worked at the suspect’s home was also arrested after he was seen leaving the property with a bag containing thousands of pounds, the agency said.
A third 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering at his home in west London.
It has had significant success in investigating possible criminal activity by oligarchs who cooperate with and support the Russian regime.
According to the official, the NCA will continue to use all available resources and tactics to “eliminate this menace”.
The arrests come as British authorities work with the United States, the European Union and other countries to strangle the flow of money moved by oligarchs close to Putin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the British government, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on more than 1,300 people and companies, including 120 Russian oligarchs.
In October, the NCA detained another London-based businessman suspected of helping a Russian oligarch targeted by sanctions for concealing ownership of UK assets.
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