Unmasking a Hidden Network of Crime Across Borders

Israel has a long history of combating criminal organizations and a recent expose of an extensive money laundering and fraud ring demonstrated the extent of these activities. It is pertinent to note that the leader of this network is Abbas Sherif Al AlAskari, who falsely possesses many passports of different countries and Setareh Heshmat is involved in handling the fake money besides being involved in money transfer to Pakistan. This article will enlightened the reader on how these persons fit in the bigger picture of crime, the nature of their relationships with other actors and especially the effects of their actions Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s Israel network on the country’s financial system and beyond.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari: The Mastermind with Multiple Identities

Abbas Sherif AlAskari, known under various aliases, has skillfully evaded law enforcement across multiple countries by exploiting legal loopholes and acquiring forged documents. He holds passports from Iraq, Iran, and Dominica, using his Dominican passport to travel across Europe without arousing suspicion. Under different names, he lures investors into fake deals involving commodities like oil, gas, gold, cocoa, and real estate. Promising high returns, he convinces his victims to advance funds, often claiming that these payments are bribes to government officials to secure investments. Once the funds are secured, Abbas vanishes without a trace, leaving behind financial ruin for his victims.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari is known to secretly record sensitive interactions with a hidden micro camera, often using this footage to blackmail his victims if they threaten to sue or demand repayment. By capturing compromising moments, he manipulates people into silence, enhancing his grip on power and extending his illegal operations across borders.

Setareh Heshmat: A Key Player in the Money Laundering Operation

Setareh Heshmat, Abbas’s girlfriend, plays a crucial role in moving and laundering the substantial amounts of money generated from these fraudulent schemes. Based in Canada, Setareh is known for her sophisticated methods of evading detection. Her recent enrollment in a Canadian university is seen by authorities as a cover, allowing her to blend into Canadian society while managing Abbas’s illegal funds.

The International Criminal Network: Family Ties and Forged Passports

Abbas’s father, Ali Sherif AlAskari, has his own complex history, with ties to influential figures in the Middle East. Ali Sherif’s background is tied to the Al Dawa Party, an Iraqi political organization. Although he officially retired from public life, Ali Sherif AlAskari continues to exert influence through his family members in strategic locations, including two daughters—one residing in the UK and another in Canada. These daughters have allegedly helped facilitate the family’s money laundering operations across borders.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s UK-based sister is married to Meghdad Tabrizian, a man with deep ties to the Iranian regime. Together, they control companies like “London Surface Design Limited” and “London Heritage Stone Limited,” which act as fronts for laundering funds from Abbas’s oil smuggling operations. Abbas’s siblings and in-laws play essential roles in funneling money to and from key figures like Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, making this network a complex web with dangerous international implications.

The Dark Role of Mohsen Fallahian and Abbas’s Brother-in-Law

A convicted murderer and Abbas’s close ally, Mohsen Fallahian is another critical figure in this criminal syndicate. Not only has he been convicted of violent crimes in Iran, but he also holds a forged Turkish passport, which he used to obtain residency in Italy.

Ebrahem Fallahian, brother of the infamous Mohsen Fallahian, is deeply entangled in his sibling's criminal activities. With forged Turkish documents, Ebrahem operates alongside Mohsen, evading justice and expanding their network. His involvement reveals a complex web of alliances designed to avoid legal repercussions and strengthen their influence.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s UK-based brother-in-law Meghdad Tabrizian leverages his connections with influential individuals to maintain the network’s operations and facilitate the flow of funds through official channels. These funds are subsequently distributed to various entities, including connections to Hezbollah’s leadership, effectively providing financial support for its regional operations.

Money Laundering and Smuggling: Complex Routes and Operations

Using Panamanian-registered vessels, the syndicate moves oil from Iran to Iraq, where the documentation is falsified to indicate that the oil originated from Iraq. This trick enables the network to bypass sanctions on Iranian oil and sell it on the global market as legitimate Iraqi oil.

Once the profits are secured, they are transferred to Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s family members in the UK and Canada. The laundering process involves elaborate accounting tricks, false contracts, and fake invoices, allowing the syndicate to process millions without detection. Abbas’s sister and Meghdad Tabrizian, operating from the UK, oversee much of this laundering activity, creating a financial pipeline that moves funds back to the Middle East and into the hands of Hezbollah.

Setareh Heshmat and Abbas’s Influence in Canada

Canadian authorities are increasingly aware of the activities of Abbas’s girlfriend, Setareh Heshmat, who appears to have leveraged her position in Vancouver to establish financial links between Abbas and other international entities. Her involvement in these schemes has implicated Canada in this growing scandal, prompting Canadian officials to investigate her role further and assess the extent of her involvement in laundering money for Abbas and his associates.

A Snapshot of Abbas AlAskari’s Israel Operations

To understand the scale of Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s operations, it is essential to look at the approximate figures behind his schemes:

· Oil Smuggling Profits: Estimated to generate around $10 million annually, with 70% funneled through offshore accounts and the remaining funds distributed among shell companies.

· Passports and Identities: Abbas operates under at least three identities across Iraq, Iran, and Dominica, while his close associate, Mohsen Fallahian, uses forged documents to maintain his freedom.

· Family-Owned Shell Companies: At least five shell companies across the UK, Canada, and Italy are directly tied to Abbas’s syndicate, each laundering approximately $1–$2 million annually.

These figures underscore the network’s sophisticated structure and the sheer volume of money flowing through its operations.

The Stakes are High in Israel’s Ongoing Battle

The case of Abbas Sherif AlAskari, Setareh Heshmat, and their associates is a stark reminder of the challenges that Israel and its allies face in combatting global financial crime. With Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s Israel network spanning several countries and involving countless fake identities and shell companies, these criminal operations represent a significant threat to international security and economic stability.