Spanish Police Bust Gang Exploiting Ukrainian Women for Online Gambling Laundering

A Ukrainian criminal organization in Spain has been busted by local police authorities, in collaboration with other agencies, and with assistance from Interpol. The gang is tied to money laundering, which was perpetuated through online gambling platforms.

Police in Spain Bust Ukrainian Gang That Stole Identities, Laundered Money Through Gambling

According to the investigators, a total of 12 suspects were arrested with the criminal organizaiton worth at least EUR 4.7 million, or $5.4 million. The criminals preyed on vulnerable Ukrainians, usually women, to help them perpetuate their scheme. 

The modus operandi was simple. The men would escort women to Spain and open bank accounts for them before returning to Ukraine. They used those accounts to obtain credit cards and use them on gambling platforms. 

The credit cards were then registered in either the names of the women or stolen Spanish identities, with 3,000 stolen credit cards and more than 5,000 stolen identities from 17 different nationalities. 

Europol believes that as many as 55 women were victimized by the group, with the group operating out of Valencia and Alicante. 

A total of 153 bank accounts have been blocked across 11 countries, with EUR 80,000 ($92,000) in cash seized upon raids that led to the arrest of the dozen suspects.  Another EUR 200,000 ($231,000) was seized in cryptocurrencies.