French authorities raided the offices of several major banks on Tuesday, including France’s Societe Generale and BNP Paribas, as well as Britain’s HSBC. The banks are suspected of money laundering and tax evasion. Reuters on this knowledgeable PNF representative of the financial prosecutor’s office.
The spokesperson confirmed earlier reports from Le Monde newspaper that the investigation was linked to the loss of dividends.
Banks were accused of money laundering a few years ago, according to media reports.
Earlier, Chinese authorities raided the office of the American Mintz Group in Beijing. The activities of the company were stopped, five employees were detained. Mintz noted that the company had not received advance notice of the measures taken by the Chinese authorities and of any lawsuits brought against it. The company said it was ready to work with Chinese officials to “resolve any misunderstanding that may have caused these events” and that its primary concern is the safety and well-being of its colleagues in China.