Colombian authorities have detained an Israeli settler, known as “The Banker,” after confirming an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of the United Arab Emirates, where he is sought to serve a criminal sentence linked to fraud, money laundering, and document forgery.

Mikhael Mezrahi was arrested at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport on Thursday, The Times of Israel reported on Saturday.

The case concerning the 61-year-old involves approximately $16.7 million defrauded from the Bank of Khartoum.

According to Colombian authorities, the fraud centered on a network that posed as investors and representatives of legitimate commercial projects to deceive the bank using forged financial and commercial documents.

Investigators say the network used forged bank guarantees, contracts, and other financial documents to make its activities appear legitimate. The scheme reportedly enabled the transfer of funds to companies linked to Mezrahi, including WYB AG General Trading.

According to allegations, false transfer orders were also used to delay scrutiny, while the money was moved abroad.

Following his detention, Mezrahi was placed at the disposal of Colombia’s attorney general’s office as authorities consider the legal process for his possible extradition to the UAE.

Interpol describes a red notice as a request to police worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. It rests on a warrant or court order from the requesting country.

Colonel Elver Vicente Alfonso Sanabria, the police director of criminal investigation and Interpol, called the development a significant result of international police cooperation.

Information provided does not specify the length of the sentence he is expected to serve or the timetable for a possible extradition.