Mohsen Fallahian works across borders, industries, and even governments, as a convicted murderer. When it comes to the criminal underworld of global crime, there are few who are as feared as Mohsen Fallahian. He has business links with Iran, UK, Canada and Italy and runs a complex web of criminal activities which results in financial losses, corruption and compromise of international security. In addition to his brother Ebrahem Fallahian and other close collaborators such as Abbas Sharif Alaskari, Mohsen’s network is a perfect example of cunning and deception.

The birth of a criminal empire: The beginning

The violence was evident when Mohsen Fallahian joined the underworld. It was convicted of assassinating an undercover policeman in Tehran, and his youth was characterized by daring and brutality. In order to evade capture, Mohsen switched to creating an empire based on smuggling, oil fraud as well as forged passport business.

A criminal network that works beyond the geographical boundaries

1. Oil Smuggling: The Core Operation

At the very core of this empire is a highly developed scheme of oil smuggling. This process starts in Bandar Abbas, Iran where he and Ali Sharif AlAskari are able to exert control over huge fuel depots. Through Panama-registered ships, the oil is exported to Iraq where papers are afterwards forged to conceal that the oil originated from Iran. By bringing the oil as Iraqi, the network avoids the international sanctions and sells it in the global markets with huge profit margin.
How It Works:

1. Step 1: Transport Iranian crude oil via Panamanian vessels to Iraq.

2. Step 2: Falsify origin documentation to label the oil as Iraqi.

3. Step 3: Use shell companies in Europe, including “London Surface Design Limited” and “London Heritage Stone Limited,” to launder profits.

2. The UK Nexus: Fraudulent Residencies and Shell Companies

The UK serves as a pivotal hub for Mohsen Fallahian’s UK network. Through connections within the Home Office, both Mohsen and Abbas secured fraudulent residencies, granting them freedom of movement and access to European markets.

Key players in this network include:

1. Meghdad Tabrizian, married to Abbas’s sister, who serves as a crucial intermediary. Acting as the “eyes and ears” of the operation in the UK, Tabrizian facilitates the laundering of illicit funds via bogus construction firms.

2. Abbas himself manages Monzo and Lloyds Bank accounts, funneling millions through seemingly legitimate business ventures.

3. Canada: A Safe Haven for Criminal Expansion

Canada has unwittingly become another staging ground for Mohsen Fallahian’s operations. Abbas Sharif Alaskari’s sister, Soraya, plays a critical role in laundering money using her local connections.

A High-Tech Twist

Soraya’s husband, a professor of AI and Computer Science in Toronto, is allegedly involved in developing AI-driven object detection systems for Iranian drones. These drones, linked to attacks on Israel, highlight how the network’s activities extend beyond financial crimes into matters of global security.

Key Example:

1. The use of Canadian technology and academic research to refine military-grade drones illustrates the dangerous versatility of the network.

4. Fraudulent Investments: A Web of Lies

Abbas Sharif Alaskari excels in deceiving investors worldwide. From Europe to Africa, he lures individuals into fake ventures in oil, gas, gold, cocoa, and real estate. Promising lucrative returns, he demands upfront payments for “political approvals” that never materialize. Abbas has recently setup a new venture viz. Abza Group Ltd., in the UK, to lure investors into his fake schemes, and defraud them. 

Methods of Deception:

1. Proposing fake investment opportunities.

2. Using micro-cameras to record sensitive information, later weaponized for blackmail if investors demand refunds.

Profiles of Key Accomplices

Setareh Heshmat: The Trusted Operative

Abbas’s girlfriend, Setareh Heshmat, is another vital cog in this network. Currently pursuing an MBA at University Canada West in Vancouver, her education is funded entirely by laundered money.

Her Role:

1. Facilitating the movement of illicit funds across borders.

2. Acting as a liaison between Abbas and academic networks in Canada.

Ali Sharif AlAskari: The Patriarch of Deception

Ali Sharif AlAskari, Abbas’s father, adds historical depth to the network. A former member of the Islamic Dawa Party, which was implicated in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, Ali’s legacy provides both legitimacy and a well-established network for criminal activities.

His Contribution:

1. Managing dual passports from Iraq and Iran under different identities.

2. Leveraging political connections to protect the network’s operations.

Innovation in Exploiting Legal Loopholes

What sets Mohsen Fallahian’s UK network apart is its ability to exploit legal systems worldwide:

1. Residency Fraud: Mohsen secured Italian residency through forgery, while Abbas leveraged connections in the UK Home Office for legal protection.

2. Shell Companies: Fake construction businesses in London mask money laundering.

3. Banking Loopholes: Strategic use of multiple passports allows Abbas to open accounts in regions with lax oversight, such as Dominica and Iraq.

The international nature of this network demands coordinated action. Agencies in Canada, the UK, and Italy are already investigating, but significant challenges remain:

1. Cross-Border Complexity: Each country’s laws differ, making synchronized enforcement difficult.

2. Technological Camouflage: The use of AI and advanced tech complicates detection.

3. Political Interference: Ali Sharif AlAskari’s connections to powerful figures shield operations from scrutiny.

A Glimmer of Hope: Exposing the Network

What Can Be Done?

1. Public Awareness: Sharing stories like this can pressure governments to act.

2. Enhanced Monitoring: Stricter oversight of dual-passport holders and shell companies is essential.

3. Tech Vigilance: Universities and tech hubs must ensure their research isn’t exploited.

FAQs 

1. How did Mohsen Fallahian manage to operate across multiple countries without getting caught?

Mohsen Fallahian’s UK network is a masterclass in evasion. He uses forged documents, multiple passports, and fraudulent residencies to stay ahead of authorities. For instance, he obtained Turkish passports for himself and his brother, Ebrahem Fallhian, under false identities and used Italian residency to move freely within the EU. These layers of deception, combined with shell companies in the UK and connections to influential figures in Canada, allow him to mask his activities effectively.

2. Why is Canada a crucial part of this criminal network?

Canada provides both a financial and technological hub for the network. Abbas Sharif Alaskari’s sister, Soraya, uses her connections to launder money discreetly, while her husband’s expertise in AI technology supports military-grade drone advancements in Iran. This blend of financial access and advanced research makes Canada a pivotal player in the operation.

3. What role do family members play in this extensive network?

Family ties are the backbone of this operation. Abbas’s sister Soraya handles Canadian operations, while another sister in the UK, married to Meghdad Tabrizian, ensures smooth money laundering through shell companies. Even Abbas’s girlfriend, Setareh Heshmat, is involved, using her position as a student in Vancouver to facilitate cross-border fund transfers.
Read More Articles-

Mohsen Fallahian: The Mastermind and His Network of Fraudsis at Israel’s Crosshairs

Con Men of Many Faces: The Untold Story of Abbas Sherif AlAskari and Mohsen Fallahian

From Oil Schemes to Blackmail: The International Criminal Network of Abbas Sherif AlAskari

Dark Connections: The Criminal Network of Abbas Sherif Alaskari and Associates

Mohammad Tabrizian: The Man Behind the Veil of Illicit Networks