UK intelligence busts Russian-linked billion-dollar laundering ring
The special services of the United Kingdom have managed to uncover a massive "money laundering" scheme used by Russians. According to the Russian-language portal "Important Stories," this scheme was used to finance foreign criminal groups and the activities of Russian spies.
One of the largest discoveries of such a case occurred recently in the United Kingdom. Investigators there, with the support of intelligence, uncovered an illegally operating "money laundering" scheme used by Russians to circumvent Western sanctions.
According to Russian-language media, billions of dollars passed through the program during its operation, which were used to support Russian spies and fund criminal groups worldwide. The operation of this scheme largely relied on cryptocurrency, which was exchanged in Moscow, London, and Dubai, among other locations.
Investments reportedly took place from the end of 2022 to the summer of 2023 through the firms Smart and TGR. According to the UK's National Crime Agency, these activities were "threatening the integrity of the economy" and directly contributed to the circumvention of sanctions by Russian propaganda media covering the United Kingdom.
"Money laundering networks" dismantled
For the first time, we have been able to map out a link between Russian elites, crypto-rich cyber criminals, and drugs gangs on the streets of the UK. The thread that tied them together – the combined force of Smart and TGR – was invisible until now, 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 reported to be the Irish drug gang Kinahan Cartel. Currently, 84 people have been arrested in this case, many of whom are already serving prison sentences.
