Public Prosecution seizes 27 million euros in bitcoins from a couple after money laundering conviction

The court in Rotterdam has sentenced a couple to prison terms of 2 and 2.5 years, of which half a year has been suspended for money laundering via bitcoin. Jewelry, computers and cryptocurrencies worth 25 million euros have also been seized.

The convicts are a man and his wife. According to the court , the couple has laundered more than 16 million euros in 2.5 years. The couple did this by buying bitcoins from other people for cash. They did not report this to the tax authorities. According to the OM, the two made sure that customers could remain anonymous, and agreements were made secretly in public places.

The pair did not ask customers for identity papers and had no administration. They found new ‘customers’ through advertisements on the internet, and ‘a marketplace on the dark web’. The pair have been convicted of money laundering.

The judge imposed prison sentences of 2 and 2.5 years. Six months of that are conditional. The judge also forfeited a total of 2,532 bitcoins. They have a current value of about 27 million euros. Also seized 250,000 euros in cash, a car, jewelry and computer equipment. Two companies that were customers of the duo were also fined. They were fined 45,000 euros and seized 40,000 and 138,000 euros respectively.