Legal Scrutiny Expands Across Germany and Austria
Payvision and its former CEO Rudolf Booker are currently under formal criminal investigation in both Germany and Austria. These legal actions stem from the exposure of Uwe Lenhoff, a suspected leader of a cybercrime ring, who was taken into custody in January 2019. Lenhoff, known to have had both personal and professional ties with Booker, was introduced to him by a real estate investor based in Amsterdam.
Lenhoff later died in detention under unclear circumstances in July 2020. Following his death, prosecutors have moved forward with criminal charges against Payvision and its executives, alleging their involvement in money laundering and investment fraud operations.
Inside the Network: Cybercrime Connections
One of Lenhoff’s key allies was Gal Barak, an Israeli national and co-founder of the E&G Bulgaria cybercrime operation. Lenhoff introduced Barak to Booker and Payvision, which then began handling transactions for Barak’s businesses.
Despite mounting legal warnings, Payvision continued to process large transfers to Barak’s companies until just days before his arrest in January 2019. Evidence shows that Payvision was aware that the nominee directors listed for some of Barak’s companies in Bulgaria were homeless individuals—a clear red flag for any compliant payment institution.
Key Individuals Involved
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Gal Barak: Convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in investment fraud and money laundering.
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Marina Barak (née Andreeva): Formally charged and currently undergoing trial proceedings in Vienna.
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Rudolf Booker: Identified as a pivotal facilitator in the financial network, with his involvement evidenced by WhatsApp conversations between himself, Lenhoff, and Barak.
These digital communications, disclosed during the Vienna Cybercrime Trials, strongly suggest that Booker and other Payvision executives were fully aware of the illicit nature of the transactions. A criminal complaint filed by the European Fund Recovery Initiative (EFRI) alleges that Payvision served as a channel for the movement of hundreds of millions of euros in fraudulent funds.
EFRI Leads the Legal Fight
EFRI, an Austria-based NGO focused on helping scam victims, has submitted detailed criminal complaints to German and Austrian authorities, with another filing expected shortly in the Netherlands.
What the Authorities Believe:
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Booker and his team knew the money originated from illegal sources.
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Payvision continued processing transactions despite clear evidence of fraud.
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Investigators in Germany and Austria are reportedly welcoming the complaints and taking them seriously.
From €380M Valuation to Criminal Charges
In 2018, ING Bank acquired Payvision at a valuation of €380 million. Just two years later, in April 2020, founders Rudolf Booker, Gijs op de Weegh, and Cheng Liem Li exited the company.
Today, Booker reportedly resides in Dubai, enjoying a life of luxury aboard his €50 million yacht—but that lifestyle may soon face disruption, as European authorities intensify their investigation.
This case may become a legal milestone, setting new precedents for the liability of payment processors that knowingly facilitate cybercrime.