Spanish police trace illicit oil-related money transfers to Portuguese firms linked to Aldama scheme
The Guardia Civil’s Central Operational Unit says funds were moved from Spanish bank accounts to Portuguese companies through Villafuel, part of the hydrocarbon fraud under investigation involving Victor de Aldama.
A report from the Guardia Civil’s Central Operational Unit details how Villafuel SL, owned by Claudio Rivas, moved money from Spanish banks to Portuguese companies as part of a broader hydrocarbon fraud being examined in the Audiencia Nacional. The company, leveraging its role as a wholesale fuel operator, entered a logistics agreement with Exolum Corporation and then funneled payments through seven controlled entities to mask the true beneficiaries.
The investigation links the operation to Victor de Aldama, who is already under corruption charges. The UCO has petitioned judge Santiago Pedraz to block the relevant bank accounts and to request European cooperation from Portuguese authorities. Additional steps include probing the destination of any funds that may have been sent back to Spain and investigating possible conversion of the money into cryptocurrencies.
Why it matters
It reveals cross-border money-laundering tactics tied to a major fuel fraud case, prompting legal action in Spain and Portugal.
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