Wednesday 4. December 2019 17:33
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Europol headquarters in The Hague. (Keystone archive photo)
In raids in more than 30 countries, the investigators have, according to Europol, succeeded in striking a blow against international money laundering crime. Two persons were arrested in Switzerland.

More than 200 persons were arrested in 31 countries in connection with "Money Mule", the police authority Europol announced on Wednesday.

A total of 175 persons were identified in Switzerland in connection with money laundering, said Anne-Florence Débois, spokeswoman for the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), at the request of the news agency Keystone-SDA. Among them were 78 people who had recruited more.

The Fedpol coordinated the action between the cantons and Europol. In Switzerland, the cantons of Vaud, Zurich, Aargau and Basel-Stadt are affected, the spokeswoman added.

1000 preliminary proceedings

More than 1000 investigations had been initiated between September and November in European countries, the USA and Australia as part of this fifth joint action against the money mule, Europol continued.

With the help of more than 650 banks and 17 other financial institutions, 7520 fraudulent transactions had been uncovered. This, according to Europol, prevented losses of 12.9 million euros.

With "Money Mule", a company or a person approaches a third party via the Internet so that he can act as a "pack mule" or "Money Mule" and transfer money abroad. These funds originate from Internet fraud, for example when someone ordered and paid for something on the Internet that was never supposed to be delivered.

264 lawsuits in Switzerland

It was the complaints of people who had been cheated (264 complaints were deposited in Switzerland) that made it possible to find out about the system, Débois explained. According to the Fedpol spokeswoman, these victims suffered damage totalling around CHF 8 million. In Switzerland, 45 proceedings were opened and a total of 57 people were questioned.

Europol warned that money launderers were trying to recruit money mules using a number of tricks, including dating platforms and social media. The main target group are students and other young adults. According to the police, anyone who falls for the trick or even consciously takes part must expect fines or a preliminary investigation which, in extreme cases, could lead to imprisonment.

On Wednesday, Europol launched a Europe-wide campaign entitled "Don't be a packhorse" (#nontbeaMule) to raise public awareness of this type of fraud.

Source: sep/sda