Cologne in sight: 18-year-old money launderer arrested – 150,000 euros fraud!

Cologne in sight: 18-year-old money launderer arrested – 150,000 euros fraud!

There was a remarkable arrest in Cologne: an 18-year-old suspected money launderer was caught by the police in Bayenthal. Loud day24 The young man caused damage of around 150,000 euros through various fraud schemes. The arrest was made on Thursday evening by special pickpocket investigators who got to the bottom of the suspect's activities.

Police investigations have revealed that the 18-year-old, along with three accomplices aged 18, 19 and 21, were involved in at least 40 fraudulent acts. They used perfidious methods, including the scam using fake bank employees and the widespread WhatsApp scam “Hello Mom”. While the youngest suspect specifically used other people's accounts to make deposits from these fraudulent activities, one of his accomplices was noticed when he made purchases and cash withdrawals in supermarkets and drugstores in the south of Cologne using the illegally obtained funds.

False identities and unclear money flows

But the problem surrounding money laundering is not only relevant to these suspects. More and more private individuals are selling high-value goods, such as jewelry and luxury watches, and risk unwittingly becoming involved in money laundering. According to the Police advice For cash payments over 15,000 euros, private individuals are not obliged to verify the identity of the buyer. This can have fatal consequences if it later turns out that the water was washed. As measures taken to combat these practices become increasingly important, some risk for sellers cannot be denied.

Another explosive detail is that buyers without ID may even be prosecuted for large cash payments. Sellers who do not comply with current regulations risk fines or criminal proceedings. This particularly affects traders who use auction and sales platforms or operate online shops and are more strictly subject to the Money Laundering Act.

Investigations and outlook

When the 18-year-old and his accomplices were arrested, the Cologne police seized several hundred euros in cash as well as small amounts of narcotics, five cell phones and two foreign debit cards. The investigation is ongoing and may extend beyond what is already known. A clear message is sent to everyone: the fight against money laundering and fraud will be carried out with all the rigor. It remains to be seen what further details will come to light and whether investigators will be able to identify more suspects.

Overall, Cologne is once again the focus of police work, and the importance of vigilance when dealing with financial matters remains unbroken. When selling valuable goods, you should always be aware of the risks and, if in doubt, take a step back.