Two convicted in money laundering scheme involving counterfeit euros at Norway border crossing

A 32-year-old and a 37-year-old have been convicted for attempting to assist in the serious money laundering of 1.5 million euros. In 2022, they were intercepted while crossing into Norway at an unmanned border crossing in Halden. In their luggage, authorities discovered what appeared to be several thousand 200-euro notes. However, an analysis conducted later revealed the notes were counterfeit.

The phony currency originated from a sale in Gothenburg involving used Rolex and Patek Philippe watches, as well as a sum in the cryptocurrency Tether.

The 37-year-old, who was believed to have played the leading role in the operation, received a sentence of two years and nine months in prison. The 32-year-old, who previously claimed he was duped into the scheme, was sentenced to two years and three months. Both denied the charges when they appeared in Søndre Østfold District Court in August and were also found guilty of failing to declare the importation of what they believed was a large sum of money.

At the time of their apprehension, the 37-year-old was running a company dealing in watches, cryptocurrency, and computers. While the 32-year-old met with buyers, the 37-year-old waited in a car outside the hotel where the sale took place in Gothenburg in October 2022. Later, the 32-year-old received payment in a locked suitcase. As they neared the Norwegian border on their way home, they stopped to open the suitcase, using a tool to pry it open. They believed the money inside was real but had not touched the notes themselves.

The amount of counterfeit euros in their possession equated to over 20 million Norwegian kroner. It is currently unclear whether either party intends to appeal the court’s decision, as their lawyers have stated they need time to review the verdict. The 32-year-old is presently abroad.