Maltese passport holder on UK most wanted list
Alexander Kuksov, who acquired a Maltese passport in 2022, is wanted for alleged money laundering
A Maltese passport holder has made it to the UK National Crime Agency’s (NCA) most wanted list for alleged involvement in a Russian money-laundering ring.
The NCA posted a wanted notice for Alexander Kuksov in February, for his alleged involvement with an organised crime group responsible for the transfer and movement of millions of pounds of criminal cash in the UK.
Kuksov’s older brother Semen has already been convicted for his involvement in the same network, and as a result had his Maltese passport revoked last year.
Alexander Kuksov is listed by the NCA as being “most wanted” for alleged proceeds of crime offences committed in September and October 2022.
The agency lists the offences as including “entering into or being concerned in the acquisition, retention, use or control or criminal property in this case, cash”.
Times of Malta, OCCRP and Amphora Media have previously detailed how Semen Kuksov featured on a list of people granted Maltese citizenship in 2022 under a now-defunct government scheme to sell citizenship to wealthy individuals.
Both Semen Kuksov and his brother have been linked to an NCA-led investigation called Operation Destabilise.
The brothers, together with their father Vladimir, acquired Maltese citizenship in 2022.
Vladimir has not been linked to the alleged money-laundering network.
Operation Destabilise uncovered a complex scheme in which the networks collect funds in one country and make the equivalent value available in another, often by swapping cryptocurrency for cash.
Semen Kuksov admitted to operating an underground cryptocurrency exchange, and was jailed for five years, seven months for his role in the network.
The NCA said Semen Kuksov directed and exercised influence over others involved in money laundering.
An NCA operations manager described how the older Kuksov brother ran what amounted to a professional banking service for criminals around the world, who could not access the legitimate banking system due to the source of their funds.
Semen Kuksov arranged cash collection from groups that wanted to get rid of it and delivered cash to groups that needed it, the NCA said.