Ukrainian criminal group arrested for laundering 100 million euros in Spain

The Ukrainian-run group acquired luxury real estate on the Mediterranean coast

The Spanish police ceased the activity of a criminal group, which fraudulently obtained not less than 100 million euros on the territory of Spain and several other European countries. A spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry said Friday that there were 13 people arrested as a result of the special operation “Red Marble.” The arrested included nine Spaniards, three Ukrainians and one Russian citizen.

Ukrainian nationals were in charge or the criminal organization, the criminal activities of which included extortion, assassinations and other crimes in Eastern Europe, Itar-Tass reports. The Spaniards were helping the natives of Ukraine and Russia invest the laundered funds in real estate on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, the official communique of the investigation says. 

Over 50 real estate objects have been confiscated from the members of the criminal group in Spain, including the four-star, 400-room hotel. Over 60 banks accounts belonging to the arrested fraudsters were frozen in Spain, Belize, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands.

The arrested Ukrainian citizen and a woman of the Russian nationality are accused of dealing with criminal activities, such as assassinations, robbery, and racketeering in the countries of Eastern Europe. The perpetrators wired the stolen money to Spain, where they invested the funds in real estate and antiquarian goods.

The investigation was started, when the Spanish police paid attention to a group of Ukrainian nationals investing considerable funds in real estate. The origin of the funds raised suspicion with the Spanish police.