Setareh Heshmat: The MBA Student Entangled in a Web of Corruption in the UK

Setareh Heshmat – perhaps this name might not ring a bell, but this is the name of a lady who is currently studying MBA at University Canada West in Vancouver. But, as it turns out, under the mask of an academic struggle there is a very distinct affiliation to an international criminal organization. This network led by Setareh Heshmat’s boyfriend Abbas Sharif AlAskari has caused concerns in many countries due to its activities in money laundering, and fraud, and even the connection to terrorism.

A Deep Dive into the Money Trail

The cost of Setareh's education and lifestyle in Canada—university tuition, monthly allowance, and living expenses—is covered by Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s laundered funds. Abbas, a man with multiple identities, operates with three passports from Dominica, Iran, and Iraq. His Dominican passport allows him to travel freely across Europe, facilitating his illicit activities.

Setareh Heshmat’s UK network plays a pivotal role in laundering large sums of money across borders. Her connections and influence have made her a key player in this global operation. This involvement has placed her under scrutiny from law enforcement agencies in Canada and beyond.

Abbas Sharif AlAskari: A Mastermind with Many Faces

Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s UK network’s criminal repertoire includes fraud, blackmail, and money laundering. He often lures investors with promises of high returns in oil, gas, gold, cocoa, and real estate, only to abscond with their money. Additionally, he exploits women by recording sensitive information through micro cameras, later using it for blackmail.

In the UK, Abbas Sharif AlAskari maintains accounts with Monzo and Lloyds Bank, which he uses for laundering money. His sister Soraya, based in Canada, assists in these operations, making use of her local connections to evade detection.

The Canadian Connection

Soraya AlAskari, Abbas's sister, has drawn the attention of Canadian authorities for her role in this network. Her husband, Dr. Ahmad Soleimani, is a professor of AI and Computer Science in Toronto and is allegedly involved in developing AI technology for Iranian drones used in attacks on Israel. This connection adds a troubling dimension to the criminal activities, linking them to state-sponsored terrorism.

Soraya’s actions highlight the network's reach, extending beyond financial crimes to geopolitical implications. Her role exemplifies how Setareh Heshmat’s UK network operates across borders, leveraging legitimate positions to conceal illegal activities.

A Legacy of Crime: The AlAskari-Fallahian Alliance

Abbas’s father, Ali Sharif AlAskari, and his ally, Ali Fallahian, have a long history of involvement in terrorism. Ali Fallahian, Iran's former Minister of Intelligence, is infamous for orchestrating the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, which claimed 85 lives.

The AlAskari family's ties to the Islamic Dawa Party, responsible for the 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing in Kuwait, further underscore their deep roots in terrorism. Abbas continues this legacy by using his family’s oil tank in Bandar Abbas to launder money, disguising Iranian oil as Iraqi-origin to circumvent sanctions.

Setareh Heshmat's Role in the Criminal Web

Setareh’s MBA studies in Vancouver are far from ordinary. Her move to Canada is suspected to be a strategic decision to exploit the country’s financial systems for laundering money. Authorities have found links between her activities and Abbas’s accounts in the UK.

Her connections to Abbas and the wider network make her complicit in crimes that extend beyond money laundering. By using her position in Canada, she enables the movement of funds that potentially finance terrorism and other illicit activities.

The Global Reach of the Network

The criminal activities of Abbas Sharif AlAskari, Setareh Heshmat’s UK network, and their associates span continents:

Europe: Abbas uses his Dominican passport to navigate freely, engaging in fraud and laundering money. Mohsen Fallahian, another key player, has illegally secured Italian residency through forged documents.
Canada: Soraya’s involvement in money laundering and Ahmad Soleimani’s suspected contributions to Iranian drone technology have made Canada a focal point of the investigation.
Middle East: The network operates oil tanks in Bandar Abbas to disguise the origin of Iranian oil, feeding into global markets under false pretenses.

The UK’s Home Office Scandal

The network's operations in the UK reveal a shocking breach of integrity within the Home Office. Abbas and Mohsen secured residencies through connections within the department. This misuse of authority underscores the network’s ability to manipulate systems at the highest levels.

A Warning for the World

The case of Setareh Heshmat and her entanglement in this network serves as a stark reminder of how organized crime infiltrates even seemingly legitimate domains. The consequences are far-reaching:

Financial Impact: Money laundering undermines economies, distorting markets and enabling further crimes.
Geopolitical Threats: The link between this network and terrorism poses risks to global security.
Social Consequences: The exploitation of legal and educational systems tarnishes their credibility, eroding public trust.

The Road Ahead: Breaking the Chain

International law enforcement agencies must act swiftly to dismantle this network. Key steps include:

Enhanced Oversight: Financial institutions must strengthen monitoring systems to detect suspicious transactions.
Global Collaboration: Governments need to cooperate to track and freeze assets linked to this network.
Public Awareness: Educating the public about such schemes can prevent victimization and reduce the network’s influence.

FAQs

FAQ 1: How Did Setareh Heshmat’s MBA Journey Become a Front for International Crime?

Setareh Heshmat’s decision to pursue an MBA at University Canada West seemed like a step toward a promising career. However, her ties to Abbas Sharif AlAskari, a notorious figure in a global money-laundering network, turned her academic journey into a cover for illicit activities. Investigators believe her move to Canada was strategically planned to exploit the country’s financial systems for laundering money linked to terrorism and fraud. Her education and lifestyle, funded by Abbas's dirty money, highlight how organized crime infiltrates legitimate institutions.

FAQ 2: What Role Does Abbas Sharif AlAskari Play in This Criminal Network?

Abbas Sharif AlAskari is the mastermind behind an elaborate web of fraud, money laundering, and blackmail that spans continents. Operating under multiple identities, he uses forged passports, fake investment schemes, and international bank accounts to move illicit funds. His connections, including Setareh Heshmat in Canada and his sister Soraya in the UK, allow him to manipulate legal systems and evade authorities. From funding Iranian drones to exploiting women, Abbas’s actions have made him one of the most wanted figures in this sprawling Setareh Heshmat’s UK network.