TIRANA, April 23 /ATA/ – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors and French authorities have carried out a joint operation targeting an alleged cryptocurrency scam network, detaining one suspect, prosecutors said on Thursday.
The Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Prosecution Structure (SPAK) said searches were conducted at a call centre and four apartments in Tirana in cooperation with France’s gendarmerie in Pau, as part of an investigation into suspected computer fraud and money laundering.
The probe was launched following information shared via Eurojust on alleged scams targeting French citizens through cryptocurrency investments.
French prosecutors are investigating losses of about 845,400 euros involving four complainants, with total damages rising to around 1.1 million euros when additional identified victims are included, SPAK said.
Authorities said victims were approached by individuals using false identities and persuaded to invest via an online platform.
The joint investigation enabled tracing of cryptocurrency transfers, leading to the identification of several suspects, including Albanian nationals believed to have facilitated the movement of funds.
During the operation, officials seized computers, mobile phones, cryptocurrency “cold wallets”, cash and other evidence. Analysis is ongoing, SPAK said.
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