Chile Arrests 18 in $88M Crypto Laundering Crackdown
- Chilean authorities arrested 18 individuals involved in laundering $88 million through cryptocurrency for the Tren de Aragua gang.
- Juan Carlos Pérez Asencio, a Venezuelan national, used Banco Santander to open several accounts since 2019, facilitating the network’s operations.
- Prosecutor Héctor Barros froze over 140 bank accounts and seized $300K from the group to disrupt their financial activities.
- The operation was conducted across three regions in Chile, revealing a complex system of bank accounts and irregular companies.
- Funds were reportedly moved out of Chile via cryptocurrency companies to other countries.
The crackdown on this money laundering network is one of the largest cases linked to the Tren de Aragua gang in Chile, highlighting significant international criminal activities involving cryptocurrencies. The arrests and asset seizures aim to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting illicit operations.
This action underscores the increasing scrutiny on cryptocurrency-related crimes globally, as authorities work to curb illegal financial flows.Source
