Ali Sharif AlAskari: A Tale of Dual Identities, Oil Smuggling, and Money Laundering in the UK

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s core business is a highly organized oil smuggling operation meant to bypass sanctions against Iran. It starts with Ali Sharif AlAskari and Ali Fallahian in Bandar Abbas, Iran’s key port city where they both maintain large fuel reserves. They use vessels that are registered in Panama, they transfer the Iranian crude oil to Iraq. When received, the oil is relabeled as Iraqi to help it find its way into the global market without raising suspicion. This is not only an effective way to bypass the international sanctions but also brings huge amount of unlawful revenues.

In the complex world of the international criminal few are as mysterious and powerful as the man known as Ali Sharif AlAskari. Born in Iraq, he holds both Iraqi and Iranian passports under different aliases: Ali Sharif AlAskari and Sherif AlAskari respectively; and he has been slippery as an eel in the global business of oil theft and money laundering.

A Family Intertwined with Power and Fear

The relations of Ali Sharif AlAskari can be traced down to the political and militant layers in the Middle East. His father was one of the founders of the Islamic Dawa Party in Iraq, a party that is suspected to have been involved in the bombing of the US embassy in Kuwait in 1983. This militant attitude is further backed by his connection with Ali Fallahian, Iran’s former Minister of Intelligence implicated in the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people. The relationship between Ali Sharif AlAskari and Ali Fallahian is not just business, their wives are sisters and they have the same goal to achieve in life.

Money laundering through shell companies

To change the money generated from the sales of the oil into legal money, then a complicated money laundering process is required, which includes the use of shell companies. These legal persons do not carry out business operations, but are shells that help hide the sources of criminal money. Through using several layers of these companies, Ali Sharif AlAskari is able to wash the profits making them to look like they have been earned through legal business. This method takes advantage of jurisdictions that have weak financial laws since such shell companies can easily conduct their operations.

The UK Connection: A Family Affair

The United Kingdom emerges as a pivotal hub in Ali Sharif AlAskari's UK based money laundering operations. His daughter, residing in London, is married to Meghdad Tabrizian, an individual with deep ties to the Iranian regime and a former associate of Ali Fallahian. Together, they have established a network of companies, including "London Surface Design Limited" and "London Heritage Stone Limited." These firms, ostensibly operating in the construction and design sectors, function as fronts for laundering the proceeds from oil smuggling. By injecting illicit funds as working capital, fabricating contracts, and generating fake receipts, they cleanse the money, integrating it into the legitimate financial system.

Hezbollah Ties and Further Laundering

The laundered funds do not remain in the UK. Ali Sharif AlAskari's UK daughter maintains close ties with the wife of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. Through this connection, the cleaned money is funneled to Hezbollah, financing its operations and contributing to regional instability. This link underscores the transnational nature of Ali Sharif AlAskari's activities and their broader implications for global security.

Exploiting Immigration Systems

Adding another layer to this intricate web is the exploitation of immigration systems. Ali Sharif AlAskari's family members have secured residency in the UK, allegedly using connections within the UK Home Office tied to Iranian intelligence. This status not only provides them with a safe operational base but also facilitates the smooth execution of their laundering activities. The involvement of Iranian intelligence in these processes raises significant concerns about the integrity of immigration and security systems in host countries.

The Canadian Connection

The network's reach extends to Canada, where Ali Sharif AlAskari's other daughter, Soraya, is implicated in laundering money for the group. Utilizing her local connections, she operates under the radar, prompting investigations by Canadian authorities. Her role exemplifies the global span of Ali Sharif AlAskari's UK operations, crossing multiple borders and jurisdictions.

The Case of Abbas Sherif AlAskari

Ali Sharif AlAskari's son, Abbas Sharif AlAskari, further exemplifies the family's involvement in illicit activities. Holding three passports—Dominican, Iranian, and Iraqi—under different names, he exploits the freedom of movement afforded by his Dominican passport to facilitate money laundering across Europe. Abbas engages in fraudulent investment schemes, enticing victims with promises of lucrative returns in sectors like oil, gas, gold, cocoa, and real estate. After securing advance payments under the pretense of needing to bribe officials, he absconds with the funds. Additionally, Abbas employs blackmail tactics, using recorded sensitive information to intimidate and extort his victims. He has established bank accounts in the UK, including with Monzo and Lloyds Bank, to further his laundering activities. Recently, he founded "Abza Group Ltd." in the UK, using his Dominican passport and listing the UAE as his country of residence, adding another layer to the family's complex financial maneuvers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does Ali Sharif AlAskari’s dual identity help him evade authorities?

Ali Sharif AlAskari holds two passports—one Iraqi (under the name Ali Sharif AlAskari) and one Iranian (under the name Sherif AlAskari). This dual identity allows him to operate under different aliases in different jurisdictions, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track his movements and transactions.

2. How do shell companies hide illegal oil money?

Shell companies like London Surface Design Limited and London Heritage Stone Limited serve as financial smoke screens. These companies:

Falsify transactions – Fake invoices and contracts are generated to make illegal oil profits look legitimate.
Layer money transfers – Funds are moved between multiple entities to obscure their origin.
Exploit legal loopholes – These firms are registered in jurisdictions with weak oversight, making it difficult for authorities to detect fraud.
By the time the money reaches its final destination—such as Hezbollah—it appears completely clean.

3. What role does Ali Sharif AlAskari’s son, Abbas, play in global fraud?

Abbas Sharif AlAskari, using his multiple passports (Dominican, Iranian, and Iraqi), engages in investment scams worldwide. He lures investors with promises of lucrative deals in oil, gas, and real estate, then vanishes after securing hefty advance payments. Additionally, he uses hidden cameras to blackmail high-profile individuals. Abbas also operates UK-based bank accounts and a newly registered company (Abza Group Ltd.) to launder illicit funds.