Nearly 1.1 million euros confiscated in Strumica

About 1.1 million euros were seized yesterday from a legal entity and two individuals from Strumica, in an operation carried out by the police together with competent state institutions.

Of the total amount, 597,500 euros were found in cash, while the rest was deposited in transaction accounts. The information was released today at a joint press conference by the director of the Bureau for Public Security (BJB), Aleksandar Janev, as well as representatives of SPB Strumica, the Public Revenue Office, the Financial Police and the Public Prosecution.

Janev said that the investigation into illegally acquired financial assets began in April of this year. The person in whose possession the money was found had no relevant financial documentation to prove its origin.

During the investigation, another lead was uncovered. The authorities determined that in 2018, individuals and legal entities had deposited an additional 500,000 euros into the bank account of an individual.

The financial analysis and investigation revealed a significant discrepancy between the annual income declared as savings and the amount of money deposited. According to Janev, the necessary documentation was missing to justify both the origin and the use of these funds by the entire family.

The investigation also identified a tax liability of about 2 million denars that had not been paid into the budget. Janev assessed that inter-institutional coordination made it possible to solve the case, calling it the opening of a new chapter in confronting illegally acquired financial assets.

He stated that whenever money becomes the subject of an investigation, the authorities will seek answers about its source and origin. According to him, honest Macedonian citizens who respect the law have no reason to worry, while people who cannot prove the origin of their financial assets or the legal basis of their acquired wealth should be afraid.

The BJB director announced that SPB Strumica has filed a criminal complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Strumica against two individuals and one legal entity, on suspicion of tax evasion, usury and money laundering. No further details were provided, as the procedure, it was explained, remains in the pre-investigation phase.