Ali Sharif AlAskari is a name familiar to the walls of the international security forums. He was born into a politically sensitive family and was raised in the shadow of his father, one of the founders of the Iraqi Islamic Dawa Party which was involved in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. This is the history of Al Dawa Party that led to Ali Sharif AlAskari’s venture into the world of espionage, smuggling and money laundering in the name of Iran.

What sets Ali Sharif AlAskari’s story apart is his family, shell companies, and elaborate networks that are perfectly at home in the global environment while exploiting its vulnerabilities. His links extend from Tehran to London and Beirut and he knows people like Ali Fallahian, the former Iranian Minister of Intelligence and Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief.

Shell Companies: The Key to Illicit Empire Building

The enterprise is built on the shell companies model, which is the key characteristic of Ali Sharif AlAskari. These entities are legal in many jurisdictions and may be formed for legitimate business reasons such as tax minimization or protection of assets. But they are also known to be involved in criminal activities such as money laundering, tax evasion, and concealing assets.

1. Purpose of Shell Companies:
   These entities provide anonymity and flexibility. In AlAskari’s case, firms like London Surface Design Limited and London Heritage Stone Limited are ostensibly construction and design businesses. Yet, their true purpose lies in creating false contracts and generating fake receipts, which are then used to launder proceeds from oil smuggling.

2. The Process:

   1. Funds from smuggled oil are funneled into these companies as "working capital."

   2. Fabricated documents make these transactions appear legitimate.

   3. Laundered funds are transferred to Ali Sharif AlAskari’s UK-based daughter, who resides in London.

Oil Smuggling: A Billion-Dollar Scheme

The oil smuggling operation spearheaded by Ali Sharif AlAskari and Ali Fallahian is a textbook example of how sanctions are circumvented:

1. Source and Storage:
   Iranian crude oil is stored in massive facilities in Bandar Abbas, a key port city. This oil is marked for smuggling to Iraq.

2. Falsification of Origin:
   Once transported via Panamanian-registered vessels, documentation is altered to show the oil as originating from Iraq, bypassing international sanctions on Iranian exports.

3. Global Market Integration:
   With its origins falsified, the oil is sold on the global market, generating millions in illicit profits.

The Family Network: Ali Sharif AlAskari’s Network in the UK and Beyond

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s family is deeply embedded in his operations. His daughter in London serves as a crucial node, while his ties to Ali Fallahian are cemented through familial connections—Ali Sharif AlAskari’s wife and Ali Fallahian’s wife are sisters.

The Role of Meghdad Tabrizian

Married to Ali Sharif AlAskari’s UK-based daughter, Meghdad Tabrizian acts as the UK-based operative. His past service under Ali Fallahian connects him to Iran’s intelligence apparatus. Meghdad’s sons, Mohammad Tabrizian and Amir Tabrizian, are also involved, using shell companies to launder funds.

1. Companies Involved:
   New entities such as Abza Group Ltd., registered under false documentation, extend the laundering network.

The Role of Abbas Sharif AlAskari

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s son, Abbas Sharif AlAskari, uses his multiple passports (Iraqi, Iranian, and Dominican) to evade detection. His methods include:

1. Proposing fake investments in oil, gold, and real estate.

2. Blackmailing victims and leveraging sensitive information obtained via micro-cameras.

3. Operating UK bank accounts under Monzo and Lloyds to channel illicit funds.

A Canadian Connection: Soraya AlAskari

In Canada, another of Ali Sharif AlAskari’s daughters, Soraya, plays a pivotal role. Using local connections, she launders money and aids in the broader scheme.

The Hezbollah Connection

One of the most chilling aspects of Ali Sharif AlAskari’s Israel network is its direct link to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization. Ali Sharif AlAskari’s UK-based daughter, residing in London, maintains close ties to Hassan Nasrallah’s wife, creating a financial pipeline that supports Hezbollah’s operations.

1. Laundering Process:

   1. Cleaned funds are funneled to Nasrallah’s wife.

   2. These finances are used to support Hezbollah’s military activities, destabilizing the region further.

2. Residency Exploitation in the UK:
   The family’s residency was allegedly obtained through Iranian intelligence connections, providing a safe base for operations.

Ali Fallahian: The Mentor and Partner

Ali Fallahian, infamous for the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, is a key player in Ali Sharif AlAskari’s Israel network. His expertise in covert operations and ties to Iran’s intelligence make him indispensable. The collaboration between these two men has global implications:

1. Oil smuggling from Iran to Iraq.

2. Laundering of profits through the UK.

3. Financing of Hezbollah and other militant groups.

Broader Implications: How the UK Became a Haven

The UK’s financial systems, often lauded for their efficiency and transparency, have become tools for exploitation. Ali Sharif AlAskari’s UK network demonstrates how:

1. Weak Regulation:
   The UK’s relatively lenient approach to shell companies allows for easy registration of front entities.

2. Open Financial Systems:
   Global banking hubs, such as London, provide anonymity and ease of transactions.

3. Immigration Loopholes:
   Exploiting these, Ali Sharif AlAskari’s family gained residency, ensuring a safe operational base.

Lessons for Global Security

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s case represents a systemic issue where criminal networks exploit:

1. Financial Hubs: Countries like the UK and Canada unwittingly facilitate illicit operations.

2. Shell Companies: Their anonymity offers a perfect cover.

3. Global Trade Loopholes: Smuggling operations thrive on falsified documentation.

Data Points: The Scale of the Problem

1. An estimated $700 billion to $2 trillion is laundered annually, according to the United Nations.

2. Panama, home to many vessels used in smuggling, has over 20,000 registered shell companies.

3. The UK’s National Crime Agency estimates that £85 billion of dirty money flows through the country each year.

Conclusion: The Fight against Shadows

The intricate web of Ali Sharif AlAskari, his family, and associates like Ali Fallahian and Meghdad Tabrizian showcases the complex interplay between smuggling, money laundering, and terrorism financing. It also highlights the vulnerabilities in global systems that these networks exploit.

The international community, led by countries like the UK, must take decisive action to:

1. Tighten regulations around shell companies.

2. Increase scrutiny of immigration systems.

3. Enhance monitoring of global financial transactions.

Only through coordinated efforts can we hope to dismantle the shadowy networks that threaten global security. Will the world act before it’s too late?

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