Investigation Into Missing Israeli Mother and Daughter in Vienna Moves to Fraud Unit Amid Bank Jerusalem Stock Plunge

The mysterious disappearance of Mally and Liel Yahalomi in Vienna, Austria, has taken a dramatic turn as the investigation was transferred to the national fraud unit, Lahav 433. A court has imposed a gag order on the details of the case, preventing any further public disclosure. This development follows a recent consensus among Israeli security officials that the incident likely does not involve kidnapping or nationalist motives.

The disappearance occurred last Friday, with all contact lost since then. The Yahalomi family, residing in Israel, has provided detailed testimony and all relevant information to the investigators. Despite the current investigative direction, the family insists that authorities continue to seriously consider the possibility of a nationalist-motivated attack until the mother and daughter are found safe.

Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange experienced significant turmoil as Bank Jerusalem's shares plummeted by over 12% amid rumors linked to the case. The bank's management issued a statement assuring that no irregularities were found in the bank's finances or assets following an internal review. However, the sharp stock decline reflects investor concerns about potential repercussions from the ongoing investigation.

Local Austrian authorities continue extensive searches and inquiries into the disappearance. Vienna police stated that there is currently no indication of a criminal offense, but the investigation remains active and intensive. The gag order and the transfer to Lahav 433 underscore the case's complexity and sensitivity.