NAMES/ SPAK sends four people to trial for money laundering, several companies used to channel funds! Assets seized in Dhërmi!

The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime has sent four foreign nationals to trial, accused of money laundering.

The defendants are Domingo Romillo Iriarte, Mihaela Munteanu Manole, Alvaro Romillo Castillo and Doris Pere.

According to SPAK, the first three are accused of money laundering as part of a structured criminal group, while Doris Pere is accused of money laundering in collaboration.

The investigation found that during 2024 the defendants created three commercial companies in Albania: specifically, “Wingwort” sh.p.k., “Wortnova” sh.p.k. and “Wortend” sh.p.k., which did not carry out real economic activity but were used to introduce funds of suspected criminal origin into the formal economy.

SPAK says high-value banking transactions were identified, along with invoices suspected of being fictitious, international transfers without supporting documentation, and investments in real estate and luxury vehicles.

According to the investigative file, part of the funds were used to buy two properties in the Dhërmi area, with a total surface area of 23.16 hectares, for a declared value of 1.62 million euros. An expert assessment found that the actual market value of these properties was higher than the value declared in the sale contracts.

SPAK’s announcement:

The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime has submitted to the Special Court of First Instance the request for the trial of criminal proceeding no. 136 of 2024 against the defendants:

1. Domingo Romillo Iriarte, accused of the criminal offense of “Laundering the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity,” committed in the special form of cooperation, namely that of a structured criminal group, “Structured criminal group,” and “Commission of criminal offenses by a structured criminal group and criminal organization,” provided for by Articles 287, 28/4, 333/a/1 and 334 of the Criminal Code.

2. Mihaela Munteanu Manole, accused of the criminal offense of “Laundering the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity,” committed in the special form of cooperation, namely that of a structured criminal group, “Structured criminal group,” and “Commission of criminal offenses by a structured criminal group and criminal organization,” provided for by Articles 287, 28/4, 333/a/2 and 334 of the Criminal Code.

3. Alvaro Romillo Castillo, accused of the criminal offense of “Laundering the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity,” committed in the special form of cooperation, namely that of a structured criminal group, “Structured criminal group,” and “Commission of criminal offenses by a structured criminal group and criminal organization,” provided for by Articles 287, 28/4, 333/a/2 and 334 of the Criminal Code.

4. Doris Pere, accused of the criminal offense of “Laundering the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity,” committed in collaboration, provided for by Article 287/2 of the Criminal Code.

The investigation found that the defendants created and used the commercial companies “Wingwort” sh.p.k., “Wortnova” sh.p.k. and “Wortend” sh.p.k., registered in Albania during June 2024 with minimal capital, with the same address for all three companies, but without carrying out any real economic activity.

According to the evidence collected, these companies were used as mechanisms for introducing funds of suspected criminal origin into circulation and integrating them into the formal economy. The investigation identified banking and tax transactions of considerable value, invoices suspected of being fictitious, payments without supporting economic documentation, as well as international transfers with foreign entities linked to the people involved in this scheme.

The company “Wortend” sh.p.k. carried out high-value financial turnover that does not match its declared activity and its real economic capacity. Bank credits exceeding the value of issued invoices were also identified, as well as payments to foreign companies without supporting documentation and purchases of real estate and high-value vehicles. Part of the funds were used to purchase two real estate properties in the Dhërmi area, with a total surface area of 23.16 hectares, for the value of 1,621,200 euros.

The valuation expert report found that the market value of these properties at the time of sale was higher than the value declared in the contract.

During the investigation, information obtained through international cooperation from the judicial authorities of the Kingdom of Spain was collected, showing that some of the defendants are under investigation for the criminal offense of fraud.

From the analysis of the evidence, it emerged that defendant Domingo Romillo Iriarte had the leading and organizing role in the creation and operation of the scheme, managing the commercial companies, directing the movement of funds and deciding on investments in real estate and other assets.

The defendants Mihaela Munteanu Manole and Alvaro Romillo Castillo are suspected of having taken part in this criminal structure through their formal roles in the companies “Wortnova” sh.p.k. and “Wortend” sh.p.k., contributing to the creation of a lawful appearance for the economic activity and to the circulation of the funds.

Meanwhile, defendant Doris Pere is suspected of having assisted in the operation of the scheme by carrying out administrative, banking and organizational actions in Albania, including securing and using addresses for the commercial companies, as well as making various payments on their behalf.

A “preventive seizure” asset security measure has been imposed on assets owned by the defendants Domingo Romillo Iriate, Alvaro Romillo Castillo and Mihaela Munteanu Manote.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Special Prosecution assessed that the evidence gathered is sufficient to send the case to trial against the above-mentioned defendants.