Leader of group involved in laundering Russian money arrested
16.12.2021
As a result of a joint investigation of the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the prosecution service Filip Sz. (name withheld under Poland’s privacy laws), a man wanted on an international arrest warrant and an Interpol’s Red Notice, has been detained in Ukraine. He is suspected of leading an organized crime group involved in money laundering. His criminal activities have led to the legalization of more than PLN 1 billion.
The detainee has been in hiding since 2018 – first in Germany and then in Russia. He was detained on the Kiev international airport by the officers of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine while attempting to catch a plane bound for the United Arab Emirates.
Filip Sz. is suspected of leading an organized crime group that would buy companies on the territory of Poland and register them on the so called “money mules”. These companies never conducted an economic activity, yet they would make tax settlements. The exclusive reason for the existence of these entities was to enable the reception of money, mainly from Russia, and then to transfer them to further bank accounts, including those of companies operating in the UK, the countries of the Far East and tax havens.
The detainee was presented with charges of leading an organized crime group and money laundering. Upon the court’s decision, the man has been remanded in custody for the period of three months.
Since April 2019, 23 people have been detained and 32 heard charges in this case.
Spokesman for the Minister-Special Services Coordinator
