A Ukrainian woman has been cleared of money laundering charges after it was revealed she made 20 trips to Cyprus carrying a staggering €7.8 million. The court found that although she lied about the purpose of bringing the money into the country, prosecutors could not prove that the funds had a criminal origin.
Robbery Report Sparks Investigation
On 1 March 2024, the 32-year-old reported to police in Limassol that she had been robbed of €420,000 by unknown assailants on a motorcycle. This report initiated a thorough investigation, leading authorities to uncover her extensive travel history to Cyprus.
Frequent Flyer with a Large Sum
Between August 2023 and March 2024, the woman made 20 trips, bringing in a total of €7,769,300. The sheer volume of cash raised suspicions, prompting the investigation that ultimately focused on the origins of the money.
Court’s Findings on Money Laundering Charges
During the proceedings, the Larnaca Criminal Court acquitted the woman of 20 money laundering charges, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 14 years. The court acknowledged the prosecution’s failure to establish a prima facie case regarding the criminal origins of the funds. “The Prosecuting Authority failed to prove a prima facie case against the defendants on all money laundering charges,” the court stated.
False Declarations Identified
While the court dismissed the money laundering charges, it did find evidence supporting 20 charges of making false customs declarations, which could lead to an additional five years of imprisonment for each count. The court determined that the woman had lied about the intended use of the money upon her arrival in Cyprus, although it did not find sufficient evidence to question the legitimacy of the funds’ origins.
Prosecutors Struggle to Prove Criminal Links
The court’s ruling pointed out that the evidence presented by the prosecution lacked the necessary elements to indicate that the imported money was linked to criminal activities. “As to whether these had criminal origin, the evidence before us shows that the defendant, through her completions of currency declarations before customs authorities, referred to the sources of origin of each imported amount,” the court continued. The prosecution could not convincingly dispute these claims or present evidence implicating others in the alleged criminality.
Next Steps in Legal Proceedings
Despite the acquittal on money laundering charges, the proceedings regarding the false declaration charges are set to continue on 4 February. Should she be convicted, the woman faces significant penalties, with up to five years in prison per count hanging in the balance.
