Latvian police detain 11 money launderers and couriers

The Latvian State Police detained 11 individuals in October involved in money laundering and acting as couriers for cybercrime victims. The group included minors, young adults, and a man of retirement age who had also committed crimes abroad.

Investigations revealed that criminal groups used deceptive social media advertisements featuring AI-generated videos and photos of government officials to promote fraudulent investment platforms. Couriers were hired to collect cash from victims and move funds to specific addresses, often receiving instructions via phone or messaging apps. In one instance, a courier was recruited under the guise of working for a foreign company but was tasked with transporting cash belonging to others.

Additionally, the Cybercrime Combat Department detained four money launderers. In a separate incident, a couple reported losing 67,690 euros and three bank cards to scammers who impersonated bank employees and police officers.