Central Bank of Kuwait freezes accounts of money laundering gang leader
Abu Dhabi: The Central Bank of Kuwait has circulated orders
to all Kuwaiti and foreign banks to freeze the funds of the Iranian mastermind
of a money laundering gang busted recently, Kuwait media reported.
The central bank demanded all banks operating in Kuwait to
also freeze the Iranian defendant’s personal accounts, deposit accounts, and
any other funds or securities deposited with these accounts or investment
funds, or to be deposited in the future.
The central bank also requested from the banks to prevent the
Iranian accused or his representatives from disposing or managing the accounts,
in keeping with orders of the Attorney General, Dherar Al Asousi.
The central bank inquired a few days ago about the accounts
and transactions of four people, including the Iranian accused, in addition to
three Kuwaitis, in connection with money laundering, but it did not ask the
banks to take any measures to freeze their money.
Informed sources told Al Rai the mastermind of the money
laundering network holds Iranian nationality and among the accused are a number
of Kuwaitis and Kurds.
Investigations revealed wide-ranging relations between the
accused with others, who formed other subnets of suspicious financial
operations, the sources said.
10 complaints
Kuwait’s Public Prosecution has received 10 complaints
against five influencers after their bank accounts dramatically inflated.
Warrants will be issued once state security intelligence is gathered.
The investigations also linked the Iranian mastermind of
this network to a high profile defendant in the human trafficking and money
laundering case involving Bangladeshi member of parliament, Mohammad Shahid
Islam, taken in custody pending trial.
The common factor among these money laundering rings is
luxury cars, watches, precious jewelry and yachts, which are one of the most
important means to conceal money laundering operations.
Police confiscated several valuable assets including luxury
and classic cars, motorbikes, expensive watches and jewellery, sums of money in
different currencies, and boxes of alcoholic drinks.
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, has
addressed his concerns over attempts being made to portray Kuwait as a hotbed
for corruption.
The Emir called upon the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority to
contain the spread of false accusations and unjust campaigns with regard to
corruption in Kuwait.
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