Leeds-based property developer Mansoor “Manni” Hussain has handed over land and cash worth £10m to the National Crime Agency.
The case is the first time that unexplained wealth order powers have led to criminal assets being forfeited.
Despite presenting himself as a self-made man who rubbed shoulders with celebrities, court papers said Hussain was in fact a “serial money launderer” working for organised crime gangs.
The businessman surrendered 45 properties and four parcels of land in London, Leeds and Cheshire. Properties seized include a shop on Walton Street, Chelsea, a flat near Harrods and the Cubic Apartments block of 36 luxury flats in Leeds. The NCA has also seized £584,000 in cash that was the subject of an account freezing order.
