Today, 9 March 2011, the Serious Fraud Office together with the City of London Police and with the assistance of Icelandic investigators mounted extensive search and arrest operations in London and Reykjavik.
The operations relate to the SFO's ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Kaupthing banking Group.
In the UK
In London two business properties and eight residential addresses were searched. During the course of the London operation seven men were arrested and taken to Police Stations in Central London for interview. The arrested suspects' ages ranged from 42 to 54.
Investigators from the Icelandic Special Prosecutor's Office are in the UK at this time though are not engaged on the search.
The London operation involved 135 Police Officers and SFO Investigators.
In Iceland
In Reykjavik, coordinated with the London searches, two residential properties were searched and two males aged 42 and 43 and were arrested and interviewed. This operation was undertaken at the request of the SFO and is being effected by the Special Prosecutor's Office, with SFO investigators in attendance.
Notes for editors:
- The Serious Fraud Office is a government department responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious and complex fraud. The SFO is headed by the Director (Richard Alderman) who exercises powers under the superintendence of the Attorney General. These powers are derived from the Criminal Justice Act (1987).
Serious Fraud Office, Elm House, 10-16 Elm Street, London, WC1X 0BJ
Press Office tel: 020 7239 7001/7045/7004 or mobile: 0781 807 6688 or 0755 700 9842
Main switchboard tel: 020 7239 7272
press.office@sfo.gsi.gov.uk - or via - www.sfo.gov.uk
