Suspected money laundering

Cousins flew up with 700,000 euros in their luggage

Customs took action in Vienna Schwechat: the two Afghans were stopped before they could board the plane. A total of around 700,000 euros was discovered in their luggage.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Patrick Huber,REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger, )

A planned trip to Istanbul ended for two Afghans at the security checkpoint at Vienna Airport. They had a considerable amount of cash in their luggage - they were suspected of money laundering!

Airport customs officers don't see that every day! They recently discovered a veritable treasure trove of 700,000 euros in the two Afghans' luggage - mostly in 50 and 100 euro bills. The men were actually on their way to the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul, but nothing came of it at first - because their journey came to an abrupt end at the security checkpoint.

These checks are important in order to prevent money movements such as terrorist financing and money laundering.

Finanzminister Magnus Brunner

Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER

Customs officers fished suitcases out of hand luggage
An attentive employee discovered a considerable amount of cash on one of the passengers during the check, whereupon customs was alerted. The officers took a closer look at the man and his hand luggage. The cousin, who was also present, was also searched. Only moments later, 320,000 euros were on the table. The money had come from a grocery store in Vienna. The duo told the customs officers that they wanted to use it to go shopping in Istanbul. Did they want to smuggle more money abroad? Their answer was: "No."

This was, of course, a bold lie, as the authorities immediately discovered. The tickets showed that the cousins had checked in a piece of luggage. So they fished out the suitcase - and found another 380,000 euros!

The entire treasure trove of money was temporarily seized and the duo reported to the police. They are suspected of money laundering and terrorist financing.