Cyprus-Forum.com

[RAFAELLA]

Missing millions from UK robbery in KKTC

A big chunk of money stolen in Britain's biggest robbery has been smuggled into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), a British newspaper reported yesterday.

Five men were convicted of kidnap, robbery and firearms offenses at the Old Bailey on Monday in connection with the 2006 robbery of 53 million pounds from the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent. So far 21 million pounds has been recovered while the remaining 32 million pounds is beyond the reach of British law, in the KKTC, The Times said. Much of the cash is believed to have been smuggled to Turkish Cyprus, where Sean Lupton -- who slipped through the fingers of police investigating the raid -- is also thought to be in hiding.
The gang kidnapped the depot manager, his wife and their young child and used them to gain entry in the 2006 robbery. Key figures involved in planning and executing the heist are thought to have escaped to hideaways in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the West Indies. The "Mr. Bigs" behind the raid -- two men heavily involved in martial arts -- have been traced to Morocco, according to The Times. Lupton, 46, a boxing and martial arts instructor, was arrested two months after the raid but released on bail without charge. He disappeared in December 2006 and according to intelligence caught a ferry to France before traveling to the KKTC. The newspaper said he was a person that the "police would very much like to question."

Turkey is the only country that recognizes the KKTC. The Turkish Cypriot state has no formal ties or an extradition treaty with Britain.

The Times said two Turkish Cypriot brothers said to be connected with the raid were also believed to have left Britain for the KKTC. They were named in court as Hüseyin and Mustafa Başar.

The missing millions are thought to have been laundered through the purchase and resale of villas on the island. A substantial sum is also thought to have been invested in property in Morocco, where two men, whose identities are protected by court order, have been located. The authorities in Rabat have agreed to extradite one of the men, but the second may avoid being brought back to Britain if he can prove that his father is a Moroccan national. He may, however, stand trial in Morocco, the report said. Another man, Keyinde Patterson, named in court as one of the robbers, is believed to have fled to the West Indies.

30.01.2008
Today's Zaman İstanbul

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detay ... ink=132808

[RAFAELLA]

.....
But only pound stg. 21million has been recovered. Almost pound stg. 32million of the haul is now beyond the reach of the law in northern Cyprus. Much of the cash is believed to have been smuggled to the fugitive's paradise where Sean Lupton - who slipped through the fingers of police investigating the raid - is also thought to be in hiding.

Lupton, 46, a boxing and martial arts instructor, was arrested two months after the raid but released on bail without charge. He disappeared in December 2006 and, according to intelligence, caught a ferry to France before travelling to northern Cyprus. The Old Bailey was told that he was "someone whom the police would very much like to question".

The northern part of Cyprus was occupied by Turkey in 1974 and is run by an administration not recognised by Britain or the European Union. It has neither an extradition treaty nor diplomatic relations with Britain and is not covered by EU money-laundering rules. ....
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 40,00.html

[tessintrnc]

They will be in good company here then, but I bet they didn't buy any of gary Robb's villas!!!!!!!
Tess

[purdey]

Scotland Yard always get their man.In a few months he will be fed up with the sun and try and return to Blighty.He will then be sent to another holiday resort for twenty years...