From RCIPS

On Tuesday, 11 August, the Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) was informed by the local branch of an international bank that four men and one woman had come to their offices to discuss potential business of $500 million USD in foreign exchange transactions. Bank officials were suspicious, asked the group to leave, and alerted the FCU.

That day, FCU promptly alerted all banks of the suspicious activity, arrested one suspect on suspicion of money laundering while he visited another bank, and arrested another two members of the group later in the day at their hotel, where their rooms were searched. The last two members of the group were questioned after intelligence research revealed information about their current location. The group consisted of four men and one woman; three UK citizens and two US citizens.

All members of the group were released yesterday and have now left the country, as evidence was not sufficient to sustain eventual charges. However, authorities in the UK and the US have been alerted of their activities while here.

IMAGE: www.reaa.govt.nz