Over 100 suspicious bank transfers picked up in World Cup bid probes

Switzerland's attorney general says evidence of alleged financial irregularities have been found in data seized from Fifa's headquarters

The investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups has already detected 104 instances of suspicious activity in Swiss bank accounts.



Swiss authorities last month seized documents and data from Fifa headquarters as part of their enquiry into allegations of bribery relating to the voting process that saw the next two tournaments given to Russia and Qatar, respectively.

Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber has now revealed the scope of the investigation, stressing that it could take years before the case is concluded.

“I am well aware of the enormous public interest in our investigation," he told reporters at a press conference in Bern.

"Equally enormous is the public interest in an independent criminal procedure.

“Our investigation is of great complexity and quite substantial.

"To give you an example: The Swiss attorney general’s office has seized around nine terrabytes of data.

"So far, our investigative team has obtained evidence concerning 104 banking relations.

"Be aware that every banking relation represents several bank accounts.

"We are faced with a complex investigation with many international implications. The prosecution is ongoing and will take time.

"It would not be professional to communicate at this moment a detailed timetable. The world of football needs to be patient. By its nature, this investigation will take more than the legendary 90 minutes."

The Swiss investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cups is running independently from the FBI-led inquiry into allegations of alleged bribery and money-laundering dating back to 1991 that has already led to the arrests of 14 Fifa officials.

Indeed, the game's governing body has already insisted that the Swiss investigation stems from its handing over of information accrued by Michael Garcia during the compilation of his report on the votes.

Lauber corroborated Fifa's claim that, at present, it is the "injured party" - but added that the situation could change depending upon the outcome of his team's investigation.

"For the time being Fifa is the injured party, that is true," he said. "They filed the report and this is the actual status as we conduct investigations against unknown persons.


"We didn’t start the investigation against Fifa. We started the investigations based on that report and based on a mutual legal assistance request from the US."

source---http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4055/main/2015/06/17/12813002/over-100-suspicious-bank-transfers-picked-up-in-world-cup?ICID=HP_TS_13