Libya Investment Scam: Trio Jailed for £46 Million Fraud
Frederic Marino and Yoshika Ohmura have been found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by abusing their positions. Meanwhile, Aurelien Bessot pleaded guilty to fraud before the trial even began.
Seven-Year NCA Probe Uncovers Massive Scam
The National Crime Agency (NCA) launched a painstaking seven-year investigation, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Their probe revealed how the trio rigged fraudulent trades while managing a huge fund worth around £822 million.
In 2009, Marino and Bessot set up FM Capital Partners (FMCP) in Knightsbridge to invest money from the Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAIP). The trio used Swiss investment banker Yoshika Ohmura to funnel hidden finder fees through shell companies in Seychelles and the Cayman Islands.
£46 Million Lost, £26 Million Stolen
- Between 2009 and 2014, the scam caused LAIP to lose $46 million.
- The three criminals pocketed an estimated $26 million for themselves.
The scheme came to light in 2014 after Libya’s revolution. Libyan board members of FMCP ordered a full audit that uncovered suspicious activity. During questioning, Marino fled to Norway, sparking the NCA investigation that spanned multiple countries, including Libya, Switzerland, the UAE, Monaco, and Guernsey.
NCA and CPS Vow to Pursue Criminal Assets
“This has been an extremely complex investigation with multi-jurisdictional challenges,” said Richard Harrison, NCA Branch Commander. “These funds belonged to the Libyan people. The defendants abused their positions to steal vast sums for personal gain. We are committed to recovering criminal assets and will relentlessly pursue those responsible.”
Andrew West of the CPS added, “These fraudsters showed total disregard for their important roles, leaving Libya £46 million out of pocket to fund their lavish lifestyles. We will chase down every penny of their ill-gotten gains.”
