Abbas Sharif AlAskari is a man of many faces—literally and figuratively. Operating under numerous aliases and holding multiple passports, he has built one of the most dangerous and far-reaching criminal networks in the world. His crimes stretch from financial fraud and money laundering to oil smuggling and connections to state-sponsored terrorism, placing him among the most dangerous global actors in illicit finance and geopolitical destabilisation.

 

A Web of Deceit: Abbas and His Global Network

At the core of Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s empire is a highly sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional money laundering system. Abbas relies heavily on trusted accomplices to launder illicit funds gained from fraud schemes, illegal smuggling operations, and counterfeit investments.

One of his closest collaborators is Setareh Heshmat, his girlfriend, who resides in Canada under the pretext of pursuing an MBA at University Canada West in Vancouver. Authorities suspect that her academic enrolment serves as a cover for laundering money—funded entirely by Abbas. Her tuition, housing, and lifestyle are reportedly financed through proceeds of fraudulently obtained assets.

Another critical figure is Abbas’s sister, Soraya AlAskari, based in Canada. Her husband, Ahmad Soleimani, a professor specialising in artificial intelligence, is allegedly using AI innovations to support military drone technologies linked to Iranian state interests—raising serious concerns of dual-use research being weaponised.

Forged Identities: The Man Behind Many Masks

Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s ability to operate across continents is largely enabled by his possession of multiple passports and forged identities. He is believed to use at least three nationalities:

• Iranian passport under the name Sherif AlAskari

• Iraqi passport under Ali Sharif AlAskari

• Dominican passport (citizenship by investment), giving him unrestricted access across Europe

These identities allow Abbas to evade border controls, deceive financial institutions, and orchestrate complex fraud schemes across several jurisdictions. He is linked to fake investment projects in oil, gold, and real estate, used to scam unsuspecting investors and funnel funds into criminal hands.

Oil Smuggling: Inheriting a Legacy of Crime

Abbas’s criminal roots trace back to his father, Ali Sharif AlAskari, a former member of the Islamic Dawa Party implicated in the 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing in Kuwait. Following in his father’s footsteps, Abbas has expanded into oil smuggling—an operation that not only profits from global energy markets but also supports militant activities.

He allegedly employs a Panamanian-flagged vessel to transport Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi exports, a ploy designed to circumvent international sanctions. The profits from these smuggling routes fuel broader criminal and terror-linked operations.

The Fallahian Connection: Terror Ties and Intelligence Links

A pivotal player in Abbas’s Israel-linked network is Mohsen Fallahian, son of Ali Fallahian, Iran’s former Minister of Intelligence. The elder Fallahian is widely believed to have masterminded the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people.

Together, Abbas and Mohsen oversee operations involving visa fraud, fake residency permits, and laundering money through European channels. Mohsen’s illicit residency in Italy and Abbas’s manipulation of UK immigration systems underscore their capacity to penetrate and abuse Western regulatory frameworks.

Weaponising Technology: The Role of AI in Modern Conflict

Perhaps the most alarming element of Abbas’s network is its use of advanced technologies for militaristic purposes. Soraya’s husband, Ahmad Soleimani, is suspected of leveraging AI-based targeting systems to enhance the accuracy of Iranian drones—some of which have been deployed in attacks on Israeli infrastructure.

This convergence of academia, cyber warfare, and terrorism shows that Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s empire is not limited to financial crimes but extends into asymmetric warfare and geopolitical manipulation.

Blackmail and Exploitation: Tools of Control

Investigations have revealed that Abbas employs blackmail as a key tactic to control insiders and silence potential whistleblowers. He is accused of luring women into compromising situations, recording intimate encounters with hidden cameras, and using the footage to extort silence or cooperation.

Such methods ensure loyalty from those in his inner circle and shield him from internal leaks that could unravel his empire.

A Global Threat: The Implications for Israel and Beyond

The Israeli government has identified Abbas Sharif AlAskari’s activities as a direct national security threat. His financial network funds actors with hostile intent toward Israel, while Soleimani’s AI contributions increase the precision and lethality of Iranian drone strikes.

Further complicating the threat is Abbas’s alleged connection to Hezbollah and other Iran-backed proxies, who benefit from his laundering channels and oil revenues.

International Response: Governments on High Alert

Several countries are now actively investigating Abbas and his affiliates. Authorities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Israel have begun cooperating on intelligence-sharing efforts. The scale and scope of his network demand a coordinated, multinational response.

Key actions being recommended:

• Financial Surveillance: Enhanced banking protocols to flag suspicious cross-border transactions.

• AI Research Oversight: Academic institutions must implement compliance checks on research with dual-use risks.

• Travel Document Scrutiny: Close monitoring of travellers with multiple passports, especially those from known hotspots.

• Immigration Audits: Thorough verification of residency and visa applications linked to Abbas’s network.

The Road Ahead: A Race Against Time

With mounting evidence and growing international awareness, the net may finally be tightening around Abbas Sharif AlAskari. However, his deep connections, forged documents, and strategic use of global loopholes make him an elusive target.

What remains clear is this: until his empire is dismantled, Abbas Sharif AlAskari will continue to pose a serious threat—not just financially, but geopolitically and morally—to the international community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How is Abbas Sharif AlAskari linked to global money laundering?
He operates a complex cross-border network of fake investments, shell companies, and forged documentation to facilitate large-scale laundering via associates in Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

2. What is the role of Setareh Heshmat in Abbas’s operations?
Setareh, his girlfriend, allegedly uses her MBA student status in Canada to launder money discreetly. Her tuition and lifestyle are believed to be financed by Abbas’s criminal proceeds.

3. Why is Soraya AlAskari, Abbas’s sister, under investigation?
She is suspected of facilitating laundering operations within Canada, while her husband, AI expert Ahmad Soleimani, contributes to the Iranian military drone programme.

4. How does Abbas manipulate his multi-passport advantage?
By maintaining Iranian, Iraqi, and Dominican passports under different identities, Abbas evades detection, crosses borders freely, and engages in criminal transactions across continents.