In an operation organized by Europol and Eurojust, Cyprus police seized 24 million euros worth of cryptocurrency, 650,000 euros in cash, 6 luxury cars worth more than 650,000 euros, and seized 14 apartments worth more than 7 million euros. The Ukrainian brothers, who obtained Cypriot citizenship, used simplified rules for refugees to move large amounts of cash.

Millions of refugees from Ukraine, fleeing the war, transported their savings, which allowed the criminal network to use “money mules” for illegal operations. Couriers, often associated with criminal circles, declared funds as personal property, regularly moving between Spain, France, Cyprus and other countries.

23 people were arrested across the EU, 29.5 million euros in cryptocurrency were frozen, and 36 cars were confiscated. The operation was the largest blow to financial crime in the region.

@cyprus_control