SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFX) - Federal police in Brazil said they have confiscated the passports of six officials with Credit Suisse here, pending an investigation into alleged tax evasion and money laundering.
Four are Swiss nationals and two are Brazilian, a federal police statement said. The six, who work in private banking with Credit Suisse First Boston in Sao Paulo, were ordered not to leave the country without permission.
Brazilian police on Friday announced that they had detained a director of Credit Suisse at the Sao Paulo International Airport when he tried to board a plane to Switzerland late Wednesday.
In December, the financial crimes unit began an inquiry into alleged illegal dollar transfers and money laundering that was linked to the Sao Paulo Credit Suisse operation.
Police said there was strong evidence that people targeted by the investigation were involved in illegal transfers abroad of currency of suspect origin, belonging to Brazilians and foreigners residing in Brazil. They could face charges for tax evasion, money laundering and organized crime.
For eight hours on Tuesday, federal police searched the Credit Suisse offices and confiscated several computer hard drives. A judge authorized the search after four months of listening to telephone conversations. newsdesk@afxnews.com afp/hjp COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited