Wealthy Russian arrested by officers investigating oligarchs in London

A rich Russian businessman has been arrested at his luxury home in London by police investigating criminal activity by oligarchs.

The 58-year-old was held on suspicion of money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the Home Office, and conspiracy to commit perjury.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has not named the man, or two others, who were also arrested.

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One man – a 35-year-old who is understood to work at the multi-million-pound home in the capital – was held after he was seen leaving the building with a bag containing thousands of pounds in cash.

He was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and obstruction of an officer.

The third person – a 39-year-old man – was arrested at his home in Pimlico in London, for offences including money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

The NCA said around 50 of its officers from the Combatting Kleptocracy Cell were involved in the operation at the businessman’s multi-million-pound property, where a number of digital devices and a large amount of cash were seized following a search.

Graeme Biggar, director general of the NCA, said: “The NCA’s Combatting Kleptocracy Cell, only established this year, is having significant success investigating potential criminal activity by oligarchs, the professional service providers that support and enable them and those linked to the Russian regime.

“We will continue to use all the powers and tactics available to us to disrupt this threat.”

All three men who were arrested have since been released on bail.

The NCA said the operation was the latest of its kind to be carried out as part of its efforts to disrupt the activities of corrupt international business figures and their enablers.

The agency claims it has secured almost 100 disruptions – actions that remove or reduce a criminal threat – against Putin-linked elites and their enablers.

These include a number of Account Freezing Orders (AFOs) over accounts held by individuals who are closely linked to sanctioned Russians.

“The cell has also investigated and taken discreet action against a significant number of elites who impact directly on the UK, as well as targeting less conventional routes used to disguise movements of significant wealth, such as high value asset sales via auction houses,” the NCA said.

“Internationally, the NCA’s work has assisted in the freezing of numerous properties, eight yachts and four aircraft, and it continues to work in concert with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation to ensure that other assets in the UK are frozen, as well as with global partners to target illicit wealth held abroad.”

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