Investigators from the Lahav 443 unit of the Israel Police raided several luxury homes in Herzliya Pituah, owned by wealthy French Jews. This was done at the request of Interpol, after an investigation by the French tax authority raised suspicions that the owners of the homes were guilty of tax fraud and tax evasion on a massive scale in France, and that the “dirty” money was laundered in Israel, through the purchase of the properties, sources inform “Globes.”

Residents of Herzliya Pituah were surprised last week to see unmarked police cars on the streets of their exclusive residential neighborhood, and dozens of investigators bursting into houses in the area. “Globes” sources said that the investigation was the product of an international collaboration - in this case, between French Police and the Israel Police.

The collaboration began after Interpol in France contacted the “Interpol Unit” at the Israel Police - the unit that is responsible for liason between Israel and other countries. Interpol submitted a formal request for assistance with their investigation in France, and under collaboration agreements between various police organizations around the world, the assistance was provided by Israeli police officers. Investigators from the Israel Tax Authority were also involved in the investigation, in an attempt to help the French authorities uncover additional money laundering operations that may have been carried out by the suspects. The Israel Police spokesperson stated in response to the report: “The activity mentioned was carried out due to a request for assistance within the framework of the collaboration between Israel Police and law enforcement authorities abroad, and is not a matter being investigated by the Israel Police.”

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 4, 2013

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