Investigators cracked a $130 million money laundering scheme by tracing the ringleader's air miles

• 16 people have been convicted as part of a $130 million money laundering scheme.
• The ringleader booked business-class flights for couriers on his Emirates card, The Wall Street Journal reported.
• Authorities said his frequent-flier miles helped them trace the operation.

Tracing a ringleader's frequent-flier miles helped investigators crack an international money laundering scheme, The Wall Street Journal reported.

More than £104 million ($131 million) in cash was smuggled from London to Dubai in 83 trips, the UK's National Crime Agency said.