Six suspects have been arrested following a coordinated operation targeting an organised crime group behind a multimillion-euro investment fraud and money laundering scheme.
The operation, which took place in the early hours of 27 January 2025, was carried out by law enforcement authorities in France, Spain and Israel, with support from Europol and judicial authorities.
The investigation began after a French citizen was deceived between April and May 2022, believing he was making substantial investments in renewable energy contracts.
The suspects maintained regular contact with the victim, persuading him to transfer large sums of money to company bank accounts inside and outside the EU.
To reinforce the illusion of a legitimate investment, the fraudsters returned small amounts of money, falsely presenting them as interest payments – a common tactic used to build trust before stealing larger sums.
When the victim realised they had been scammed, they reported the fraud to the French Gendarmerie, triggering a major international investigation.
Led by the French Gendarmerie, under the guidance of the Annecy Judicial Court, the investigation uncovered a sophisticated criminal infrastructure.
Investigators traced the technical and financial networks used by the fraudsters, identifying additional victims who had suffered significant financial losses.
Europol facilitated analysis and operational meetings between investigators from different countries, ensuring a coordinated international response. This work led to simultaneous police actions across France, Spain and Israel.
