Dirty Money!
The Murky World of Illicit Finance
My novice perception of the "macro" view
of money laundering is broad just as the term "macro" dictates. From
ruthless Mexican and South American drug cartels to powerful multi-national
corporations, the illusion of presenting "dirty money"in a pristine,
above reproach manner has become a dark "art form".
I have discovered the list of who utilizes money laundering as part of their
organization's modus operandi is endless. In my opinion some of the more
infamous examples of who has perfected money laundering would be Iran, a nation
that funds terrorist operations while producing "legitimate" revenue
via the oil trade.
In my opinion the oil business allows the Islamic Republic of Iran the perfect
financial outlet for the laundering of funds gained via illicit finance. I
recognize that my previous statement may be considered inflammatory, fact less,
and accusatory; however after class mandated research throughout my two years
as an AMU student as well my own private research and I am compelled to draw
that conclusion.
Moving forward the why for Iran is clear, and has potentially lethal ramifications
for all of humanity. Iran WMD aspirations are real and their goals are becoming
dangerously close to coming into fruition.
In effort to locate an expert opinion on Iran's money laundering activities; I
was led to a clear and concise article in the New York Daily News entitled:
"Money laundering system lets Iran bankroll terror groups, Feds
say:"by William Sherman
Please find a excerpt of the article as follows: "A government task force
is probing how Iran launders money through the international banking system to
finance terror groups buying arms ranging from mortars to weapons of mass
destruction.The probe is focusing on the millions of dollars Iranian banks
funnel through mainstream banks for the groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and
the Taliban, the Daily News has learned. Iranian-controlled banks use wire
transfers, letters of credit and bank accounts to fund terrorism, the Treasury
Department has said. Iranian banks typically hide their presence by using false
names and omitting or altering special codes that reveal the origin of funds in
wire transfers, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control
said. The code is typically a nine-digit number assigned to every bank. By
changing or altering the numbers, the source of the money is obscured. The
money flows from Iran's banks to accounts maintained by that country's Islamic
Revolutionary Guards and a special army unit to other bank accounts maintained
by terrorist groups."
The above information is disturbing, however this is the reality that must be
combated in the war against international illicit finance activities at its
most globally threatening level.
Although I would like to claim credit for creating the following scenario;
however the FBI has inspired me to elaborate on a recent "operation"
that was run with a powerful Russian oligarch as the "target" in
question.
Just to reiterate the following hypothetical scenario is FBI inspired:
The United States Intelligence Community would create a joint task force that
would focus on formulating and maintaining relationships via overt
"diplomacy type" activities, while collecting high level information
from the "target".
Information would then be utilized to infiltrate the target's organization via
effective covert activities that would be implemented to follow the money and
lead to the arrest of a high value target.
Moving forward please find below an excerpt of the FBI article that highlights
in my opinion a brilliant "operation" that is based on the principal
of "keeping your friends close, and your enemies closer!"
"Mr. Deripaska's recent visits were arranged outside of regular State Department visa procedures because the U.S. continues to have concerns about Mr. Deripaska's business associations, according to administration officials. Instead, FBI officials arranged for a limited-entry permit from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as allowed in special cases related to sensitive matters, officials said. Another person familiar with the case said there was some opposition from other U.S. agencies to Mr. Deripaska's visits, but that the FBI prevailed. The FBI had previously been at loggerheads with the State Department over Mr. Deripaska; FBI officials have said they were getting interesting information from him, this person said."
"FBI officials have said they were getting interesting information from him, this person said." To this amateur, that is absolutely brilliant intelligence gathering!
In closing those changes would revolve around genuine international cooperation that would include the intelligence community, military, and federal law enforcement agencies. The best and brightest operators would be recruited and cross-trained in multiple disciplines that would include the mastering of multiple foreign languages, international finance, and cyber warfare.
In essence I still find myself advocating the implementation of some sort of "global police force" that is equipped for and mandated to eradicate illicit finance from the face of the Earth!
Work Cited:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2008/03/04/2008-03-04_untitled__iran04m.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-fbi-let-a-banned-russian-oligarch-into-the-us-so-he-could-meet-with-goldman-2009-10
