Criminal organisations in Albania launder millions through the construction sector, cryptocurrency markets, and international networks, warns Doloreza Musabelliu, a prosecutor at Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure, SPAK.
Criminal groups in Albania exploit various sectors to launder illicit funds, with the construction industry being one of the primary channels for money laundering, according to Doloreza Musabelliu, a prosecutor at Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure, SPAK.
In an interview with Kallxo Përnime on March 23, Musabelliu revealed how illicit funds from drug trafficking, corruption, and cybercrime are funneled through construction, businesses, bank accounts, and offshore schemes which led to investigations and asset seizures by SPAK.
“Investigations indicate that a significant portion of illegal proceeds from criminal activities are invested in the construction sector, various businesses, commercial entities, and bank accounts of third parties—often close associates of suspects. Recently, we have identified the use of cryptocurrency markets as a tool for laundering criminal proceeds,” Musabelliu explained.
The sources of these illicit funds are diverse, stemming from drug trafficking, corruption, human smuggling, and cybercrimes.
“According to our statistics, in a five-year period, the total value of confiscated and seized assets has reached 182 million euros. This demonstrates our prosecution’s commitment to targeting criminal proceeds,” Musabelliu stated.
SPAK’s investigations have uncovered around 16 high-risk criminal groups operating in Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany. These groups launder the proceeds of their crimes both inside and outside Albania.
Musabelliu highlighted the application of Albania’s anti-mafia law, which has contributed significantly to the seizure of criminal assets.
“We confiscate and seize criminal proceeds, applying equivalent value confiscation and enforcing legislation designed to prevent and combat organised crime, trafficking, and corruption,” she elaborated.
Meanwhile, she noted that money laundering should not be seen as economic development.
“Money laundering does not contribute to economic development but instead distorts the free market by injecting illicit funds, which harm legitimate businesses and disrupt market equilibrium,” she emphasised.
SPAK has seen an increase in the seizure of commercial entities involved in money laundering.
“In 2010, we had 10 such businesses confiscated, whereas in 2024, the number exceeds 40. This demonstrates the growing tendency of criminal groups to use business entities as a tool for laundering money,” Musabelliu noted.
She explained that “no matter how many criminal groups we dismantle, if we do not strike at their financial assets, we have not truly weakened them. When an investigation into corruption is launched, a wealth investigation follows as well, because the illicit money must have gone somewhere.”
Fatmir Karaliti from the Kosovo Police warned that money laundering does not aid economic development but instead fuels organised crime and inflation, highlighting the construction sector as a primary target for criminal groups seeking to launder illicit funds.
“In our analyses, construction and real estate are the most targeted sectors, but we have also seen cases in various service industries,” Karaliti stated in an interview for Kallxo Përnime.
He noted that organised crime groups often invest cash into businesses as shareholders, making their operations appear legitimate.
Call centers, in particular, pose a challenge for authorities due to the difficulty in tracking their revenues.
“These businesses operate internationally, making it easier for money launderers to over-declare profits and move illicit funds undetected,” he explained.
Cross-Border Cooperation
Doloreza Musabelliu emphasised the importance of international cooperation in fighting organised crime.
One successful operation involved cooperation between SPAK and Kosovo’s Special Prosecution, resulting in the seizure of over one million euros by Kosovar authorities. This case originated from intelligence received from German authorities regarding suspected fraud and money laundering schemes.
“It was a dual investigation conducted by Albania’s Special Prosecution and Kosovo’s Special Prosecution, targeting cybercrime and computer fraud. The suspects exploited legal vacuums to register companies in Kosovo for consulting and telephone service sales,” Musabelliu revealed.
She explained that the scheme involved transferring funds from fraud victims into shell company accounts controlled by criminals. These funds were then transferred through invoices for consulting and telecommunication services, allowing them to be laundered in both Kosovo and Albania.
“As part of this joint operation, 1.5 million euros were seized in Kosovo and a similar amount in Albania. It was an extremely successful operation, and the groups involved are now under investigation for money laundering,” she confirmed.
SPAK is a specialised institution within the Albanian judiciary system responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption, organised crime, and other serious criminal offenses, it also works closely with other law enforcement agencies, including international counterparts.