Norwegian lawyer arrested in Morocco after fleeing in disguise

A 72-year-old former Norwegian lawyer, wanted for money laundering linked to a major cryptocurrency fraud case, has been arrested in Morocco after fleeing the country disguised as a woman, Dagbladet reports.

The lawyer, who changed his name to a female one in the national registry last October, was scheduled to appear in Oslo District Court this autumn. He faces charges of complicity in money laundering and providing client accounts for transfers totalling 768 million kroner in the so-called Crypto888 case.

Prosecutor Joakim Ziesler Berge of Økokrim confirmed the arrest to Dagbladet and stated that an extradition request has been submitted to Moroccan authorities. The process may take years if the lawyer resists extradition, though it would proceed faster with his consent.

According to Økokrim, the Crypto888 scheme defrauded thousands of investors in Norway and abroad, primarily in Asia, of approximately 900 million kroner between 2015 and 2018. The operation, marketed as investments in gas fields, mining, and real estate, was allegedly a Ponzi scheme with no genuine investments.

Two alleged ringleaders, art dealer Terje Hvidsten and previously convicted Dag Hætta Eriksen, were sentenced to 11 and 9 years in prison, respectively, but have appealed. The former lawyer is also accused of transferring around 3 million kroner to companies in Hong Kong and Singapore, with the funds allegedly ending up in a Ugandan bank account.

Defence lawyer Abdelilah Saeme, representing the former lawyer, has not responded to requests for comment. Previously, Saeme has stated that his client denies any wrongdoing.