The US government on Tuesday said it collected $7 million in Iranian assets after unveiling a complex conspiracy that included fraudulent money transfers across the US, South Korea, the Emirates and Georgia.
A senior official thanked the UAE for its assistance in putting an end to the scam.
The recovered money was the US share of a civil forfeiture after the discovery of attempts to breach sanctions on Tehran by wiring Iranian funds to accounts overseas, the Justice Department said in a statement.
The forfeited money will be used to compensate victims of terrorist attacks.
“The funds forfeited today had been destined to benefit criminal actors who engaged in an elaborate scheme to violate US sanctions against Iran, one of the world’s leading state sponsors of terrorism,” acting assistant attorney general David Burns said.
US prosecutors say three Iranians and an American used false documents to defraud South Korean banks by transferring about $1 billion in Iranian-owned funds out of the country between 2011 and 2014.
The Iranian co-conspirators were also involved in a fraudulent scheme to place a downpayment on a Sheraton hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia, using money held in a UAE fund, US prosecutors said.
Bryan Schroder, US attorney for the district of Alaska, where some of the funds were routed, said the investigation was only possible thanks to co-operation from officials in the UAE, South Korea and Georgia.
Mr Schroder thanked “UAE authorities, the Dubai Police Department’s Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Division and the government of Ras Al Khaimah".
He also thanked the office of the prosecutor general in Georgia and the Supreme Prosecutor’s office and Ministry of Justice in South Korea.
US prosecutors identified Kenneth Zong as the American conspirator.
Zong was indicted in Alaska in December 2016 for breaching sanctions rules, but is in a South Korean prison serving time for his role in the scheme.
if you go
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
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The%20Specs%20
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Company%20profile%20
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Company%20profile
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
