Abbas Sharif AlAskari: How One Man Exploits The UK’s Regulatory Loopholes

Abbas Sharif AlAskari is a man whose shadow reaches far and wide in the perplexity of international crime. Fraudulent residency, money laundering, oil smuggling; AlAskari’s dealings expose how extensive transnational crime actually is, and thus the difficulties that governments have in combating them. This article investigates Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s UK empire and turns its attention to the network’s operations in the United Kingdom and reveals the ropes of its functioning.

The UK Connection: Fraudulent Residencies and Beyond

The United Kingdom has long been a beacon of opportunity for individuals seeking stability and prosperity. However, for criminals like Abbas Sharif AlAskari, it represents a fertile ground for exploiting legal loopholes. Abbas, alongside his sister and her husband Meghdad Tabrizian, has allegedly secured residency in the UK through fraudulent means. Reports suggest that this was accomplished with assistance from insiders at The Home Office, raising questions about the integrity of immigration systems.

Once settled, Abbas established two key bank accounts—one with Monzo Bank and another with Lloyds Bank—to facilitate his money laundering operations. These accounts are central to his ability to move illicit funds across borders, further entrenching his network’s influence.

A Global Smuggling Network Rooted in the Middle East

At the core of Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s UK operations lies a sophisticated oil smuggling scheme. Based out of Bandar Abbas, a strategic port city in southern Iran, Abbas and his father, Ali Sharif AlAskari, circumvent international sanctions by disguising the origin of Iranian crude oil. Using Panamanian-registered vessels, the oil is transported to Iraq, where falsified documentation identifies it as Iraqi oil. This clever ruse enables Abbas Sharif AlAskari to sell the oil on the global market, generating millions of dollars in profits.

The scale of this operation is staggering. Experts estimate that Abbas’s network moves thousands of barrels of oil daily, earning upwards of $10 million per month. These funds are then funneled into international bank accounts, including those in the UK, to support further illicit activities.

Money Laundering: A Family Affair

Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s UK criminal empire is not a solo endeavor. His sister, Soraya, based in Canada, plays a pivotal role in laundering money for the network. Using her local connections, she helps transfer large sums without drawing suspicion. Her husband, a professor specializing in artificial intelligence, allegedly channels funds toward developing drone technology, potentially for Iranian-backed operations in the Middle East.

In the UK, Abbas’s other sister and her husband, Meghdad Tabrizian, operate a network of shell companies. These entities, including “London Surface Design Limited” and “London Heritage Stone Limited,” act as fronts for laundering money generated from oil smuggling. By blending legitimate business activities with illicit transactions, they effectively obscure the origins of their wealth.

The Dominican Passport: A Free Pass for Crime

Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s UK network’s ability to evade justice is bolstered by his possession of multiple passports. In addition to his Iranian and Iraqi passports, Abbas Sharif AlAskari holds a Dominican passport obtained through dubious means. This document grants him visa-free access to much of Europe, allowing him to move freely while orchestrating his criminal activities.

This mobility has enabled Abbas Sharif AlAskari to expand his operations into Africa, where he lures investors into fraudulent schemes. Promising lucrative returns in oil, gas, gold, and real estate, Abbas collects advance payments under the pretext of bribing officials to secure contracts. Once the funds are transferred, he disappears, leaving his victims with empty promises and significant financial losses. He records sensitive information of victims with a hidden micro camera, only to blackmail them if they demand their money back. 

Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Women and Blackmail

Beyond financial crimes, Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s methods include deeply personal forms of exploitation. He has been accused of using hidden cameras to record intimate encounters with women, later using these recordings to blackmail his victims into silence. This tactic not only shields him from legal repercussions but also perpetuates a cycle of fear and manipulation.

The Al Dawa Party Legacy

The roots of Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s UK operations trace back to his father, Ali Sharif AlAskari, a prominent member of the Islamic Dawa Party. This political organization, infamous for its role in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, has long-standing ties to the Iranian regime. Ali’s involvement in the party provided a foundation for Abbas’s operations, blending political influence with criminal enterprise.

Ali’s dual identities—one as Sherif AlAskari in Iran and another as Ali Sharif AlAskari in Iraq—mirror Abbas’s use of multiple passports and aliases. Together, they have built a network that spans continents, leveraging political connections to evade scrutiny.

The Numbers Speak

The scale and sophistication of Abbas’s operations are evident in the numbers:

3 Passports: Abbas’s Iranian, Iraqi, and Dominican passports enable seamless international travel.
2 UK Bank Accounts: Monzo and Lloyds Bank accounts are central to his money laundering network.
$10 Million Monthly: Estimated earnings from oil smuggling operations.
Thousands of Barrels: Daily oil smuggling capacity from Bandar Abbas to Iraq.
2 Shell Companies: Fronts in the UK used to launder illicit funds.
A Global Pursuit for Justice

The international nature of Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s crimes has prompted a multi-agency investigation. Authorities in the UK, Canada, and Europe are working together to dismantle his network. Recent scrutiny of his sister’s activities in Canada and Meghdad Tabrizian’s business dealings in the UK indicate that law enforcement is closing in.

As the noose tightens around Setareh Heshmat’s UK network, the question remains: will she be held accountable for her actions? Setareh’s involvement in money laundering, oil smuggling, and the support of terrorist organizations is a serious offense, and international law enforcement agencies are working to bring her to justice.

While Setareh has managed to fly under the radar for some time, the increasing attention from Canadian authorities suggests that her web of deceit is beginning to unravel.

However, the challenges are immense. Abbas’s use of advanced technology, insider connections, and legal loopholes makes him a formidable adversary. His ability to operate across jurisdictions underscores the need for greater international cooperation to combat transnational crime.

As law enforcement agencies intensify their efforts, one thing is clear: the fight against Abbas Sharif AlAskari is far from over. Exposing his crimes is not just a matter of justice but a crucial step in safeguarding international security. The public must remain vigilant, and governments must act decisively to ensure that individuals like Abbas cannot continue to exploit the shadows.

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