Russian police confiscate cash hidden inside old couch

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Russian police say they seized 605 million rubles (about 10 million US dollars) in cash hidden inside an antique couch at an apartment while investigating a financial crime.

The money, weighing up to 130 kilograms, was discovered in St Petersburg on December 13 and reportedly took hours to count and recount.

Local media reported that the police carried out large-scale searches over 24 apartments and 11 company offices.

Cash worthy of over 605 million rubles found at a private property in St Petersburg on December 13. /Tencent News Photo

Identified as Natalia, the owner of the house may have slept on the most expensive couch in the world.

The 54-year-old woman was held by police for engaging in illegal banking activities as one of the suspects in a criminal group.

She is a former accountant at a cigarette company. According to Chinese news outlet ifeng.com, Natalia faces up to seven years in jail if found guilty.

The confiscated currency was put into boxes. /Tencent News Photo

Police said the criminal group had set up fictitious companies and used settlement accounts for cashing in large sums of money in St Petersburg. Members profited from the commission given by their “clients” who listed money for subsequent cashing in.

The website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said the group had cleaned up 55 million rubles (800 thousand US dollars).