Who is Olsi Meta (alias Kristian Koni) Under Investigation for Millions in Money Laundering?

Albanian authorities are investigating a man with two identities, Olsi Meta, also known as Kristian Koni, for suspected large-scale money laundering. He rose quickly in the business world, moving from obscurity to dealing in real estate and luxury investments. But this sudden rise has raised strong suspicions that his fortune comes from illegal sources.

Suspicious Growth in Real Estate

Investigators believe Meta is channeling money from drug trafficking into construction projects across Tirana and Albania’s coastline. Documents show that he has partnered with other businessmen to acquire land, apartments, and buildings. Much of this activity exists only on paper, with no real value created. Authorities say the transactions are designed to clean illegal funds by passing them through balance sheets.

The Company Kriol.al

In 2021, under the name Kristian Koni, he created the company Kriol.al. The firm’s declared activities cover nearly everything: car exports, real estate trading, advertising, management consulting, agriculture, IT services, media, and even bars, restaurants, hotels, and resorts. It also claims to operate in transport, despite having no official transport license.

Police sources suggest that the company may also be linked to illegal call centers, a practice banned in Albania for its ties to fraud and extortion. These multiple business fronts make it easy to issue invoices and justify the movement of large sums of money.

Questionable Financial Records

VoxNews reviewed Kriol.al’s financial statements. In 2024, the company reported a modest profit of about 12,000 euros. Yet, in the same year, it handled contracts worth half a million euros. Investigators believe this mismatch shows a classic money laundering scheme—profits appear small, but huge amounts of cash are passed through the books.

Azul Rooms – Another Company

In 2023, Meta, again under the name Kristian Koni, founded another company called Azul Rooms. Its declared purpose is renting apartments and rooms, along with consultancy and brokerage. The company quickly reported revenues in the millions. Officials now want to know who is paying these invoices and whether the services actually exist.

Expanding Network

Authorities suspect Meta has built a network of shell companies to hide the real source of income. He is believed to be buying villas, hotels, and luxury apartments in Tirana and elite coastal areas such as Palasa and Dhërmi. The rapid expansion from a small investment base into millions of euros is viewed as a strong signal of money laundering.

Ongoing Investigation

So far, police and prosecutors are piecing together how Meta, with his two identities, managed to create so many businesses in such a short time. With links to construction, tourism, and possibly illegal call centers, investigators suspect that the wealth circulating in his firms does not come from legal trade but from organized crime and drug money.

The case is ongoing, and more details are expected to surface as authorities track his companies, contracts, and property deals both inside and outside Albania.