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Ukrainian refugees setting up bogus money laundering firms in Poland, say authorities

The accused face up to 15 years behind bars under Polish law.

WARSAW, June 9. /TASS/. Ukrainian refugees pouring into Poland are creating bogus firms to launder money in the country, the RMF24 radio station said on Thursday, citing the prosecutor’s office of the Subcarpathia Voivodeship (province) bordering Ukraine.

"The results of an investigation show that the perpetrators, using false invoices, legalized money from illegal sources of financing," the radio station reported, citing documents from the prosecutor’s office. "Ukrainian nationals were the owners of bogus companies," it added.

Upon the prosecutor’s orders, $5.5 mln ended up being frozen from accounts belonging to such companies in Polish banks and six Ukrainian nationals are wanted. In addition to money laundering, they are also charged with participation in an organized criminal group.

The accused face up to 15 years behind bars under Polish law.

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