Abbas Sherif Alaskari’s and His Ponzy Investment Schemes in the Europe and Africa

Abbas Sherif Alaskari is not just a man; he is an algebraic symbol of a complex system of crime. From the streets of London to the hallways of Canadian universities, his business includes smuggling and laundering and deceit on a magnitude that is almost inconceivable. What is hidden behind the veil of hundreds of thousands of legitimate businesses is a huge network that profits from the weaknesses of global systems. This is the story of how one man and his associates exploit the instruments of globalization in order to perpetrate crime.

Abbas Sherif Alaskari, the New Leader of the Revolution

Abbas Sherif Alaskari was born into a family that has been involved in political turmoil so his journey was never going to be a conventional one. His father, Ali Sharif Alaskari, who was a prominent leader of Iraq’s Al Dawa Party, contributed to Abbas’s feeling for conspiracies. With the Al Dawa Party, which was accused of the 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing in Kuwait, Abbas follows that tradition of working in the gray zone.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s operations go across continents and it is made possible by multiple passports; Dominican, Iranian, and an Iraqi each with a different persona. These documents afford him opportunity to have different areas, where he can start companies such as Abza Group Ltd in the UK as a legitimate business while concealing his Iranian origin with a Dominican citizenship.

Shell Companies: The Mask of Legitimacy

The main part of Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s UK network is the use of the shell companies, for instance, Abza Group Ltd., and other affiliated to his relatives’ companies in the United Kingdom, including London Surface Design Limited and London Heritage Stone Limited. These seem to be companies in the construction and design business but are fronts for money laundering and smuggling.

How Shell Companies Work:

1. Registration in Tax Havens: By incorporating companies in jurisdictions with lax financial regulations, such as Panama or the UK, Abbas ensures minimal scrutiny.

2. Fake Operations: The companies show fictitious business activities, often supported by fraudulent invoices.

3. Layering Funds: Money is moved across borders through these companies, obscuring its origin.

4. Integration: Once cleaned, the funds are funneled into real estate, luxury goods, or other investments.

Oil Smuggling: The Backbone of the Operation

Abbas and his father, Ali Sharif Alaskari, run a sophisticated oil smuggling operation. Centered in Bandar Abbas, Iran, they exploit the port city's strategic location to store crude oil before shipping it illegally.

The Smuggling Process:

1. Panamanian Vessels: Oil is transported on vessels registered in Panama, disguising its Iranian origin.

2. Fake Documentation: Upon reaching Iraq, papers are altered to show the oil as Iraqi, skirting international sanctions.

3. Global Distribution: The "Iraqi" oil is sold to international buyers, generating vast sums of illicit revenue.

This process not only undermines sanctions against Iran but also destabilizes legitimate markets, allowing Abbas and his associates to profit while fueling conflict in the Middle East.

The AI Connection: Weaponizing Technology

In a chilling development, Abbas's network is linked to advancements in military-grade AI. His sister’s husband in Canada, a professor of AI and computer science, develops object-target detection technology used in Iranian drones.

These drones, allegedly deployed in attacks on Israel, represent a fusion of illicit funding and cutting-edge research. While the professor maintains a facade of academic legitimacy, his ties to Abbas cast a shadow on his work, raising ethical and security concerns.

Money Laundering: The Art of Disguise

Abbas’s money laundering network spans continents, relying on a web of connections and intermediaries. Central to this network is Setareh Heshmat, Abbas’s girlfriend, who recently moved to Vancouver for her MBA at Canada West University. Her tuition, living expenses, and lifestyle are funded through laundered money, highlighting the audacity of this operation.

The Process:

1. Placement: Funds from oil smuggling and fraudulent investments are deposited into accounts at Monzo and Lloyds Bank in the UK.

2. Layering: Money is moved through shell companies, including Abza Group Ltd., and converted into assets like real estate.

3. Integration: The “cleaned” money re-enters the economy, funding education, luxury goods, or political bribes.

Family Ties and Their Role in the Network

Abbas’s family is deeply embedded in this network:

• Sister in Canada: Known as Soraya, she launders money through local channels, using her Canadian residency as a shield.

• Brother-in-law Meghdad Tabrizian: A trusted confidant with ties to the Iranian regime, Meghdad runs shell companies and helps Abbas secure fraudulent residencies.

• Ali Sharif Alaskari: Abbas’s father leverages political connections and dual passports to evade detection, acting as the linchpin for oil smuggling.

Fraudulent Residencies: Exploiting the System

Residency fraud is a hallmark of Abbas’s operations. Both Abbas and his brother-in-law, Meghdad, have exploited The Home Office in the UK to obtain fraudulent documents. These residencies allow them to operate freely in Europe, evading law enforcement while maintaining the guise of legitimacy.

Similarly, Mohsen Fallahian, another associate, secured Italian residency through forged documents, further complicating efforts to bring this network to justice.

The Cost of Crime: A Global Perspective

Economic Damage:

• Oil Smuggling: Disrupts global markets and undermines sanctions, costing billions in lost revenue.

• Money Laundering: Erodes financial systems, enabling corruption and terrorism financing.

Geopolitical Instability:

• Weaponized Drones: AI-driven drones funded by laundered money exacerbate tensions in the Middle East.

• Terrorist Financing: Abbas’s network indirectly supports extremist activities, posing a threat to global security.

Unraveling the Network: Challenges for Law Enforcement

Bringing Abbas Sherif AlAskari and his associates to justice is no small task.

• Cross-Border Jurisdictions: The network spans multiple countries, each with its own legal framework.

• Sophisticated Techniques: From shell companies to fake passports, the operation is designed to evade detection.

• Political Connections: Abbas and his family leverage high-level connections to obstruct investigations.

Steps Forward:

1. International Cooperation: Law enforcement agencies must collaborate to share intelligence and resources.

2. Financial Forensics: Tracing the flow of money is crucial to dismantling the network.

3. Targeted Sanctions: Individuals and entities involved should face targeted sanctions to restrict their operations.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari also runs fake investment schemes for cocoa, real estate, oil and gas in the Europe and Israel. Once he get money from investors, he vanishes. If they demand their money back, Abbas threatens to expose them by making their videos viral with women in compromising positions. 

Exposing these activities is only the beginning. Governments, law enforcement agencies, and financial institutions must work together to close the loopholes that allow such networks to thrive. Only through vigilance and determination can the long arm of justice reach Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s UK associates, ensuring that the shadow empire they have built comes crashing down.

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