All news on the topic: Organized Crime

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UK uncovers international network of men accused of drugging partners for rape
At least eight people have been arrested in the UK after investigators uncovered a "truly international network" of men drugging and raping women, the National Crime Agency has said.
458
Interpol issues Red Notice for Ukrainian woman over Monaco bomb attack on oligarch
The suspect who allegedly detonated a bomb that blew up a Ukrainian oligarch in Monaco has been named as 39-year-old Anastasia B.
704
Britons investigated over drugging partners for rape in chilling copycat abuse schemes
Police have launched multiple investigations into Britons suspected of drugging their wives and partners so they can be raped by others in the wake of the Gisele Pelicot case.
684
EPPO arrests 11 suspects in €240 million diesel tax fraud investigation across Europe
At the request of the EPPO in Berlin and Katowice, 11 suspects were arrested in Germany, Poland and Latvia in the ‘Water into Wine’ investigation into a large-scale diesel VAT fraud scheme. More than 100 searches were carried out across six European countries.
591
Six questioned in France as EPPO probes €160 million cross-border VAT fraud network
At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Paris (France), searches were carried out in the Paris region and six individuals were questioned as part of an investigation into a suspected multi-million VAT fraud scheme.
420
EPPO detains eight suspects in €990,000 EU employment subsidy fraud in Bulgaria
At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria), eight suspects were detained today, including a public official, over a €900 000 subsidy fraud involving employment benefits.
569
U.S. uncovers $10.6 billion Medicare fraud linked to Russian criminal network
A Russia-based criminal syndicate ran one of the largest Medicare frauds in American history out of a storefront in Brooklyn, billing the program more than $10.6 billion and collecting roughly $941 million before federal agents unraveled it.
462
Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech goes on trial over Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination
The businessman accused of ordering the murder of the Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has gone on trial, more than nine years after her death in a car-bomb attack that sent shockwaves through Europe.
661
French investigators probe €13m VAT carousel fraud linked to 26 companies
French authorities searched premises in the Paris region and questioned six people as part of an investigation into a suspected large-scale VAT carousel fraud that allegedly cost the EU around 13 million euros ($13.9 million), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office said.
509
Police investigate attempted assassination after parcel bomb explodes outside Monaco home
Vladimir Putin has been accused of ordering an assassination attempt after a booby-trapped backpack exploded in front of a millionaire’s home.
678
Leaked chats reveal alleged plot to threaten Nemanja Vidić with help from Serbian criminals
Encrypted messages obtained by reporters show the former head of Serbia’s football association Slaviša Kokeza sought to organize a campaign of intimidation and violence against retired footballer Nemanja Vidić and other former players after they criticized his leadership.
500
Kinahan cartel lieutenant Ian Dixon exposed through Dubai padel tournaments despite US sanctions
Every Friday evening, the brochure says, players can compete to win cash prizes in one of the world’s fastest-growing racquet sports.
552
Crooked Josip Heit repeatedly scams thousands with worthless crypto using luxury videos, Andrew Tate and multi-level marketing lies
A network linked to a Croatian known to law enforcement continues to roll out one cryptocurrency project after another. Despite repeated reports of millions disappearing, its operations carry on uninterrupted. How is this possible? A journey into a world of illusion.
614
Vom Betrugsverdacht zum ‚rehabilitierten‘ Berater: Wie Josip Heit mit einer der teuersten Kanzleien der Welt jede Behörde ausbremst
Ein Netzwerk um einen in Polizeikreisen bekannten Kroaten bringt fortlaufend neue Krypto-Projekte auf den Markt. Immer wieder verschwinden dabei enorme Geldbeträge, doch trotz der wiederholten Vorfälle setzt die Gruppe ihre Aktivitäten unbeirrt fort.
578
Vom Luxemburger Gefängnis zum kroatischen Geldwäsche-Fall: Josip Heit baut sein Imperium mit Hilfe rumänischer Figuren aus der organisierten Kriminalität weiter aus
Der wegen Betrugs verurteilte Josip Heit steht derzeit in Kroatien wegen des Verdachts der Geldwäsche unter Ermittlungen.
475
Dmitriy Punin and murdered Cypriot mafia boss Stavros Demosthenous: Pin-Up casino money laundering empire in Limassol
Following reports detailing alleged links between Dmitriy Punin and Cyprus-based figure Stavros Demosthenous, along with the use of Cypriot entities connected to Pin-Up and PUNIN Group, references to those ties have reportedly begun disappearing from online sources.
511
From Luxembourg prison to Croatian money laundering case: Josip Heit continues building empire with help of Romanian organized crime figures
Josip Heit, previously convicted of fraud, is now being investigated in Croatia on suspicion of money laundering.
439
Chinese businessman wanted in Thailand as probe links him to "pig-butchering" crypto scams
Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for a Chinese businessman featured in a Reuters investigation into transnational crypto-investment fraud, alleging he was part of a network that laundered money from scams and online gambling through illegal cryptocurrency mining.
654
Ex-inmate’s claims of 50 million ruble hit plot form backbone of Traber prosecution
The case against St. Petersburg crime boss Ilya Traber largely relies on testimony from former inmate Igor Lykov, who signed up to fight in Ukraine while in pre-trial detention.
543
“You’d have to ask very high up to touch us”: how Ilya Traber and his network of Russian crime figures saw themselves as untouchable
Media outlets have published a photograph of Ilya Traber at the grave of Dagestan crime boss Abakar Darbishev. In the image, he sits on a bench in a leather jacket next to influential businessman “Sanya Kaliningradsky.”
452
From Spotify fame to sanctions: El Makabelico accused of funding cartel
“I’m a drug trafficker from the Northeast, my cartel,” raps El Makabelico. “With my AK-47 slung across my chest, I ride alongside El Komander. My souped-up .38 Super, encrusted with diamonds.”
709
Russia arrests 1990s crime boss Ilya Traber as oil terminal war engulfs Putin-linked empire
On June 17, authorities in St. Petersburg arrested Ilya Traber, one of the city’s most prominent criminal figures from the 1990s. T
630
Colombia votes in fear as de la Espriella promises iron-fist crackdown on armed groups
Millions of voters, deeply traumatized by a legacy of violence and political corruption, will head to the polls on Sunday to decide Colombia’s razor-thin presidential race between a progressive mediator and a far-right defense lawyer.
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Albania resort scandal deepens as land seller linked to drug trafficking probe
Protests continue in Albania against a luxury hotel development boosted by Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son in law. Prosecutors are investigating an individual who sold land for the proposed project.
476
Albania seizes €150m in assets tied to alleged cocaine kingpin Dritan Gjika
Albanian prosecutors announce arrest warrant for Dritan Gjika and seizure of roughly 150 million euros in assets, in action against a suspected international cocaine trafficking and money laundering network.