In recent news, a complex and deeply rooted criminal organization has come under investigation. At its core are Abbas Sherif Alaskari, Mohsen Fallahian, Setareh Heshmat, and Ali Sharif, individuals with vast connections and influence that stretch across continents. Their involvement ranges from money laundering and visa fraud to violent crimes and exploitation. The global network extends across Europe, Canada, the Middle East, and Africa, raising alarms for international law enforcement and the public alike.
Key Players and Criminal Activities
· Abbas Sherif Alaskari: Known for his cunning investment schemes, Abbas Sherif Alaskari has deceived individuals worldwide by proposing bogus investments in industries like oil, gas, real estate, and commodities like gold and cocoa. Using passports from Dominica, Iran, and Iraq, he exploits loopholes in international travel, allowing him to evade justice while laundering money. The Dominica passport, in particular, provides him with access to the European Union, further facilitating his criminal activities.
· Ali Sherif Alaskari (Abbas’s Father): As the son of a founding member of Iraq's Al Dawa Party, Sherif Alaskari holds considerable influence and possesses dual citizenship under the names Sherif AlAskari (Iranian passport) and Ali Sharif Alaskari (Iraqi passport). This dual identity has allowed him to circumvent legal restrictions and remain involved in his son’s operations.
· Setareh Heshmat: Abbas Sherif AlAskari’s girlfriend, Setareh Heshmat, is believed to be a key operative in this network. Recently studying in Vancouver, Canada, she has allegedly used her position to assist in laundering money for Abbas and his associates. Her activities have not only caught the attention of Canadian authorities but also raised questions about her direct involvement in the criminal ring.
· Mohsen Fallahian: Known for his violent past, Mohsen Fallahian is a convicted murderer and one of the organization’s primary enforcers. After obtaining fake Turkish passports for himself and his brother, Mohsen expanded his reach to Europe and Canada. His most recent acquisition—an Italian residency secured illegally—demonstrates the lengths he will go to in avoiding justice.
· Abbas’s Sister: Playing a lesser-known but crucial role, Abbas’s sister is reportedly based in Canada, where she aids in laundering money. Her involvement underscores the extent to which Abbas’s network is family-oriented, with relatives often participating in or enabling criminal activities.
The Money Laundering Network
One of the primary concerns for international authorities is the group’s money laundering network. Through sophisticated methods and transnational connections, Abbas, Mohsen, Setareh, and others have evaded detection while laundering large sums of money across continents. Their modus operandi includes the following:
1. Using Multiple Passports for Free Movement: With various passports from Dominica, Iraq, Iran, and forged documents, key players can easily cross borders, making them difficult to track.
2. Laundering Funds Across Borders: The syndicate employs various financial channels to transfer funds without detection. Setareh Heshmat’s academic connection in Vancouver, combined with Abbas’s sister’s local influence, facilitates cross-border transactions that obscure the origins of laundered money.
3. Fake Investments: Abbas persuades victims to invest in bogus ventures by claiming to need funds to "convince politicians" or gain access to lucrative markets. Once he receives the advance money, he vanishes, leaving his investors with nothing.
4. Panamanian Oil Scheme: Abbas and his associates use a Panamanian vessel to ship oil from Iraq. By altering documents, they disguise the oil’s origin, presenting it as Iraqi rather than Iranian. This practice, known as "flag swapping," has long enabled illicit oil transactions, with funds funneled through third-party accounts to evade tracking.
Fraudulent Residency Acquisitions
Obtaining residency and citizenship through illegal channels is another disturbing aspect of this network. Both Abbas and Mohsen have secured residencies through fraudulent means:
· Abbas’s London Residency: Assisted by his sister and brother-in-law, Meghdad Tabrizian, Abbas Sherif AlAskari used personal connections within the Home Office to acquire residency in the United Kingdom. The couple’s role within the Home Office has made it easier for Abbas to operate under the radar, raising questions about insider corruption.
· Mohsen’s Italian Residency: After obtaining a Turkish passport with forged documents, Mohsen used similar tactics to secure an Italian residency. This move further shields him from the law and grants him access to EU privileges, enabling him to expand his network’s reach across Europe.
A Network of Exploitation and Blackmail
The syndicate’s tactics extend beyond financial schemes to include personal exploitation and blackmail:
· Exploiting Women: Abbas has lured multiple women, recording sensitive information using a hidden micro-camera. If they attempt to hold him accountable or pursue legal action, he uses the recordings as leverage, threatening them with exposure to prevent them from speaking out.
· Blackmailing Associates: Abbas has also blackmailed business associates, exploiting their personal information to ensure silence. This tactic has allowed him to continue his fraudulent operations while avoiding retaliation from those he has deceived.
Infiltration of Governmental Systems
The criminal activities of Abbas, Mohsen, and their network have placed them under the watchful eye of international law enforcement agencies. Authorities suspect that the syndicate has connections within governmental institutions, facilitating illegal residency grants, forging documents, and orchestrating money-laundering schemes. This infiltration has given Abbas and Mohsen significant leverage, enabling them to operate with impunity and remain one step ahead of the law.
The ability of individuals with such deep ties to terrorist activities to secure UK residency underscores gaps in the nation’s immigration and security oversight. The UK’s allure as a global financial hub has made it a target for such networks, allowing operatives like Ali Sherif AlAskari, Abbas Sherif AlAskari, and Mohsen Fallahian to exploit its financial and legal systems.
Calls for International Action
With multiple nations now monitoring this group’s activities, there is mounting pressure for a coordinated international response. Countries affected by this network, including Canada, Italy, the UK, and Iraq, are working together to dismantle the syndicate. However, the complexity of the group’s operations—combined with their use of false identities, insider connections, and transnational resources—has made this a formidable challenge.
Conclusion: Holding the Criminals Accountable
The criminal network orchestrated by Abbas Sherif Alaskari, Mohsen Fallahian, and their associates is a threat to international security and integrity. Their involvement in fraud, money laundering, illegal residency schemes, and exploitation reflects a deeply entrenched and highly adaptable organization. Public awareness, governmental transparency, and international cooperation will be vital to exposing this group and bringing its members to justice. The public and law enforcement must remain vigilant to prevent these individuals from further exploiting the legal system and continuing their crimes unimpeded.
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