British fugitive arrested in Dubai

DUBAI // One of Britain’s most wanted men has been arrested in Dubai on suspicion of fraud and money laundering after a two and a half year hunt, police revealed on Wednesday.

Richard Ardolino, 38, is suspected of being part of a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain mortgages to buy property in Britain in 2005-2007.

He is also accused of money laundering relating to the concealment and transfer of criminal property, an April appeal from Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

Mr Ardolino, who is from the northern English city of Leeds, was arrested in Dubai, police said, without elaborating.

A European arrest warrant was issued for Mr Ardolino at the request of England’s West Midlands Police in November 2011.

Last month, the NCA launched a campaign to track down him and other suspected criminals that the agency described as some of Britain’s most wanted fugitives.

The NCA described Mr Ardolino as slim with short dark hair and a scar on his right leg.

At the time, the NCA said it thought Mr Ardolino was hiding in Cyprus.

* Reuters