Money laundering and receiving of proceeds from crime caused financial loss

A person was indicted for and convicted of money laundering. He had made his bank accounts available for the transfer of amounts from four injured parties to a third party, who had tricked the injured parties into paying loans to him. The money launderer kept a small amount for himself (receiving of proceeds from crime).

In the criminal case, the injured parties claimed compensation from the money launderer/receiver of proceeds from crime. The claim corresponded to the amounts they had paid.

The Supreme Court first concluded that the claims could be pursued in the criminal case. The claims arise from the actions for which the money launderer/the receiver of proceeds from crime was indicted.

The Supreme Court then concluded that there is causation between the actions of the money launderer/receiver of proceeds from crime and the injured parties' financial losses. The actions were considered decisive for the losses to occur.

As a result of the Supreme Court's ruling, the individual compensation claims had to be heard in the Court of Appeal.

The ruling clarifies how the rules of causation in tort law should be applied in a situation where the injured parties are affected by multiple offenses

Read the judgment from the Supreme Court (Norwegian only) (PDF)

Areas of law: Tort law, criminal procedure, section 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act

Key paragraphs: 24–25, 31–35 og 37–38

Justices: Webster, Bull, Falch, Thyness, Sivertsen