Europol dismantles US$23.5 million crypto money laundering network
18th May 2025 – (The Hague) Europol has revealed the results of a major January operation that dismantled a sophisticated “mafia crypto bank” responsible for laundering over $23.5 million in cryptocurrency for clients in China and the Middle East. The takedown, which involved 17 arrests and spanned multiple jurisdictions, uncovered a criminal network using a hawala-style banking system to transfer illicit funds.
The coordinated effort involved law enforcement agencies across Austria, Belgium, and Spain, with Europol playing a central role in providing operational support. The investigation was linked to broader criminal activities, including migrant smuggling and drug trafficking. During…
