International fugitive wanted by Netherlands arrested in Elche

National Police officers have arrested a 71-year-old man in Elche, Alicante, who was wanted by the authorities in the Netherlands under a European Arrest Warrant for alleged money laundering and fraud offences committed between 2007 and 2014.

The requesting country issued the European Arrest Warrant, which was brought to the attention of the National Police in Alicante through the International Fugitives Group of the General Police Judiciary Comissariat, after receiving suspicions that the fugitive might be located in the province of Alicante.

Following necessary checks regarding the location of the wanted individual, investigators discovered that he was residing in the town of Elche. Consequently, a police operation was established at the location, enabling officers to locate and carry out his arrest.

The fugitive had fled justice in the Netherlands after being sentenced to a two-year prison term for money laundering and fraud, of which he still has 706 days left to serve, according to a statement from the Superior Headquarters.

He faces charges for two criminal acts committed between 2007 and 2014. In the first incident, the detainee, alongside third parties, allegedly acquired, transferred and diverted sums of money on multiple occasions amounting to approximately €890,000, depositing them into bank accounts under his control and into accounts belonging to companies linked to him, knowing that the funds originated from activities related to money laundering.

In the second incident, the detainee, along with another person, allegedly carried out a continuous fraud scheme through which they targeted 23 victims, inducing them to make transfers totalling more than €1,300,000.

To achieve this, the perpetrators gained the trust of the affected parties by posing as financial advisors and offering them fictitious investment products, promising returns of up to 15% and the return of capital after ten years.

To persuade the victims to make significant financial outlays, they utilised false information and documentation regarding the destination and security of the investments.

The detainee has been brought before the Central Investigating Court of the National Audience, the judicial body responsible for handling the procedures for his subsequent extradition.