TIRANA (Albania), April 24 (SeeNews) – A criminal investigation for suspected money laundering has been launched against two representatives of Tirana-based distributor of motor fuels Gulf Albania, local TV station Top Channel reported.
The representatives of Gulf Albania are under investigation over a fraudulent scheme of selling vouchers worth 1.5 million euro ($1.8 million) a few days before the company ceased its activities, Top Channel reported over the weekend.
Last week, Gulf Albania unexpectedly closed its operations.
The Albanian prosecution office is investigating the case and has declared wanted Alexandre Gogokhia, a Georgian citizen, owner of Universal Energy Group, and Albano Aliko, manager of Gulf Albania, suspected of being involved in the fraud.
Gulf Albania is owned by offshore company Universal Energy Group registered in Delaware, U.S., which also owns Sun Petroleum Albania, Top Channel said, adding that Gulf Oil International has been represented officially in Albania by Sun Petroleum Albania Trading JSC and Sun Petroleum Albania LLC since October 2013.
According to Top Channel, Alexandre Gogokhia is also wanted by the authorities in Georgia for money laundering.
The prosecution suspects that Gulf Albania has intentionally sold through vouchers more oil than the company owned.
According to Albanian media reports, the fraud amounts to five million euro.
($ = 0.81372 euro)