SetarehHeshmat’s journey from her early life Tehran through her recent activities in Vancouver, to her obvious roots firmly placed in the United Kingdom, is as complex as it can be disturbing. Among those who are privy to the complex network of the world’s organised crime, the name of SetarehHeshmat falls on the ears like a shroud. Its core is her work as an organizer of a rather large criminal organization whose members operate in different continents while she is involved in some of the most elaborate money laundering and fraud attempts.
The Allure of Academia, the Veil of Deception
SetarehHeshmat’s recent enrollment in an MBA program at University Canada West in Vancouver appeared, at first glance, to signal a bright academic future. But dig deeper, and her funding tells a darker story. Her tuition fees, living expenses, and extravagant lifestyle are financed by laundered money from her partner, Abbas Sharif AlAskari—a man deeply entrenched in illegal activities. The funds are funneled through a complex web of illicit transactions involving UK-based bank accounts at Monzo and Lloyds.
Her ability to blend into academic circles, while allegedly serving as a conduit for Abbas’s ill-gotten wealth, highlights a dangerous evolution in the strategies of international money laundering networks. No longer confined to shadowy backrooms, these networks now operate in plain sight, cloaked in the legitimacy of institutions like universities.
The United Kingdom: A Breeding Ground for Fraudulent Activities
Setareh’s links to the United Kingdom are not limited to financial transactions. Her partner Abbas Sharif AlAskari has made the UK a critical hub for their operations. Abbas holds at least three passports—Dominican, Iranian, and Iraqi—allowing him to navigate borders with ease. The Dominican passport, in particular, enables him to travel freely across Europe, a privilege he exploits to its fullest extent.
In London, Abbas Sharif AlAskari, and his sister, married to MeghdadTabrizian, run front companies like London Surface Design Limited and London Heritage Stone Limited. Ostensibly legitimate, these firms serve a more sinister purpose: laundering money from illicit oil sales originating in Iran. The operation employs Panamanian-registered vessels to transport oil to Iraq, where the origin documents are falsified, enabling the sale of "Iraqi" oil on global markets.
The Home Office Scandal: Fraudulent Residency Exposed
One of the most striking aspects of this network is its ability to manipulate the UK’s immigration system. Both Abbas and his sister-in-law secured residency through fraudulent means, exploiting connections within the Home Office.
Statistics reveal that in the past decade, over 10,000 cases of fraudulent residency claims have been investigated in the UK, with a significant portion tied to organized crime. Abbas’s network exemplifies how such fraud undermines the system, enabling criminals to embed themselves within society while continuing their operations unchecked.
Setareh’s Role in the Network
While Abbas Sharif AlAskarimasterminds many of these operations, SetarehHeshmat’s UK network plays a pivotal role. Her education and social status provide a veneer of respectability, making her an effective intermediary in laundering money and securing investments under false pretenses. Setareh’s ability to navigate academic and professional circles gives the network access to individuals and institutions that might otherwise remain out of reach.
In one notable case, SetarehHeshmat’s UK network reportedly facilitated the transfer of over $2 million through a combination of personal accounts and shell companies linked to Abbas. This money, believed to be proceeds from oil smuggling and fraudulent investments, was used to finance the network’s activities in Europe and North America.
The UK’s Financial System: A Target for Exploitation
SetarehHeshmat’s UK network’s reliance on the UK’s financial system highlights a critical vulnerability. With its reputation as a global financial hub, the UK attracts both legitimate and illegitimate actors seeking to leverage its infrastructure. Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s accounts at Monzo and Lloyds, used for laundering millions, underscore the challenges banks face in identifying and preventing such activities.
Recent reports indicate that in 2023 alone, UK financial institutions flagged over 500,000 transactions as suspicious, with an estimated $200 billion linked to money laundering globally. Despite these efforts, the scale of operations like Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s UK network suggests that many illicit transactions go undetected.
Connections to Terrorism and Global Security Threats
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this network is its alleged ties to terrorism. Abbas’s father, Ali Sharif AlAskari, has a history steeped in controversy as a member of the Islamic Dawa Party, which was implicated in the 1983 bombing of the US Embassy in Kuwait. Abbas’s brother-in-law, MeghdadTabrizian, a professor of AI and computer science in Toronto, has reportedly used advanced AI technologies to support drone targeting systems for Iranian military operations.
Setareh’s proximity to these individuals places her in the crosshairs of investigations into not just financial crimes but also potential threats to international security. The UK, as a host to several key players in this network, faces mounting pressure to act decisively against these activities.
The Way Forward: Cracking Down on Transnational Crime
Stronger regulations and oversight of financial institutions are also essential. The UK must enhance its anti-money laundering frameworks, ensuring that banks like Monzo and Lloyds can better detect and prevent illicit activities. Moreover, immigration systems must be fortified to prevent the abuse of residency programs by individuals with criminal intent.
The trail from Tehran to London is long, but with vigilance and determination, it is one that can and must be unraveled.
FAQs
1. How does SetarehHeshmat’s academic background play a role in her alleged criminal activities?
Setareh’s pursuit of an MBA at a prestigious Canadian university adds a layer of legitimacy to her persona, allowing her to operate unnoticed within professional and academic circles. This respectable facade makes her an effective intermediary for laundering money, securing fraudulent investments, and building networks of trust that are later exploited for criminal gain. Her dual existence highlights how modern criminals leverage education and social status as tools of deception.
2. Why is the UK a focal point for Setareh and Abbas’s operations?
The UK’s robust financial infrastructure and global connections make it an attractive hub for both legitimate business and illicit activities. For Setareh and Abbas, access to UK banks and residency through fraudulent means provides the perfect cover for laundering money and operating shell companies. Additionally, the UK’s role as a gateway to Europe amplifies their reach, allowing them to move illicit funds and resources across borders with relative ease.
Here are some References
The Man with Three Faces: How Abbas Sherif AlAskari Built a Criminal Empire in Israel
Fallahian and AlAskari’s Web of Fraud: How the NetworkUndermine UK’s Regulatory Landscape
Con Men of Many Faces: The Untold Story of Abbas Sherif AlAskari and Mohsen Fallahian
Israel in Turmoil: The Role of Mohsen Fallahian and Abbas Sherif AlAskari
