NEW: OCCRP is part of the #FinCENFiles, an investigation led by @ICIJorg and based on a leak obtained by @BuzzFeedNews that exposes how illicit money flows have fueled criminality worldwide.

See what we unearthed from the records 👇 1/
occrp.org/en/the-fincen-…
OCCRP’s initial investigations focus on Reza Zarrab, a Turkish money launderer who was arrested by the US for aiding in sanctions evasion.

In this story, we detail how Zarrab and his family used gold-for-cash schemes to funnel billions into Iran. 2/
occrp.org/en/the-fincen-…
The exact amount Zarrab made from money laundering may never be known, but much of his loot went towards big yachts and personal submarines.

In this story, reporters used social media posts and gov't records to chronicle his extravagant lifestyle. 3/
occrp.org/en/the-fincen-…
Zarrab is most known for money laundering for Iran. Little attention has been given to his shell companies that moved money into Russia.

This story shows how Zarrab exploited lax rules in Dubai and other hubs of financial crime for such purposes. 4/
occrp.org/en/the-fincen-…
OCCRP will continue to release more investigations from the #FinCENFiles.

Until then, follow this page for rolling coverage of smaller but notable banking irregularities — including one involving Paul Manafort — we found in the leaked documents. 5/
occrp.org/en/the-fincen-…
The #FinCENFiles is based on leaked documents obtained by @BuzzFeedNews. To learn more about this project — which involved 400+ journalists — read this overview from @ICIJorg, the group that led this massive effort. 6/
occrp.org/en/the-fincen-…

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More from @OCCRP

Dec 18
NEW: A grandson of Tajikistan’s president purchased a luxury Dubai property when he was just 9 years old, leaked real estate records show.

But where did the money come from?

Now 18-years-old, Erajjon Gulov’s three-bedroom apartment is valued at $1.3 million. 🧵 Palm Jumeirah archipelago in Dubai. Photo credit: Ole Martin Wold
Under UAE law, children between the ages of 7 and 18 can buy property with the approval of a legal guardian.

Back in 2015, Gulov’s mother and presidential daughter Parvina Rahmonova had no known source of income.

His father earned a presumably modest salary as a civil servant.
In his 30+ years as head of state, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has promoted family members to key positions in government — including his son Ashraf Gulov.

After his posting at the Tajik embassy in Moscow, Gulov served as Tajikistan’s ambassador to Turkey from 2021-2024. Emomali Rahmon, the long-ruling president of Tajikistan.  Photo credit: American Photo Archive/Alamy Stock Photo.
Read 7 tweets
Dec 6
Romania’s constitutional court annulled first-round presidential election results amid allegations of Russian meddling that helped far-right candidate Calin Georgescu emerge as a surprise frontrunner.

The court has ordered the election process to restart.
occrp.org/en/news/romani…
The decision follows findings from the country's intelligence service that Russia influenced the vote through a coordinated social media campaign.
occrp.org/en/news/romani…
Georgescu, known for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "great patriot" and labeling Ukraine "an invented state," was rapidly rebranded as a pro-Western candidate through TikTok and Telegram posts.
Read 5 tweets
Dec 4
NEW: An international money-laundering ring run from Moscow & Dubai has been moving billions in crypto and cash for criminal operations, @NCA_UK says.

84 people have been arrested as part of “Operation Destabilise,” involving police from the U.K., Ireland, the U.S. & France. Photo credit: U.K. National Crime Agency
Several alleged key figures in the ring had “multiple links to the Russian financial sector,” the NCA said.

Some were sanctioned by the U.S. today, including Georgy Rossi, founder of the TGR group of companies, one of two “criminal enterprises” allegedly running the network. Georgy Rossi (right) and Elena Chirkinyan, his "second-in-command" (left). Photo provided by NCA.
The other, Smart, was led by Russian national Ekaterina Zhdanova, who the U.S. sanctioned in 2023. Ekaterina Zhdanova. Photo provided by NCA.
Read 7 tweets
Nov 20
NEW: Two Canadian banks continue doing business with alleged Toronto-based mafia boss Angelo Figliomeni despite high-profile 2019 organized crime and money laundering charges.

OCCRP and @TorontoStar learned that the banks hold four of Figliomeni's mortgages. Image
Figliomeni moved to Canada in the early 2000s after he was convicted on weapons charges as well as mafia membership in his native Italy.

In 2015, Canadian media reports described him as a suspected "Toronto-area mafia leader." Photo credit: York Regional Police. A mugshot of Angelo Figliomeni.
TD Bank and RBC maintained two mortgages apiece with Figliomeni despite these reports.

Even after Figliomeni’s 2019 arrest in what Toronto-area police called its biggest-ever mafia bust and the subsequent collapsed court case, both banks continued to maintain the loans. Image
Read 6 tweets
Nov 1
NEW: The world’s top climate change conference, #COP29, opens soon in Azerbaijan.

The host government, led by the ruling Aliyev regime, is among the world’s most repressive.

We’ve been investigating them for over a decade. Here’s what you need to know ⤵️
occrp.org/en/project/kno…
For our latest story, we looked into the official corporate partners of #COP29.

Almost all of them are linked to the ruling Aliyev family and their inner circle.

It’s indicative of how this regime operates.

But it’s just our latest finding.
occrp.org/en/project/kno…
For years, OCCRP has worked with local journalists to expose how the country’s elite, led by the Aliyev family, has enriched itself.

They have built up staggering wealth.

Even the president’s 11-year-old son owned a London office building.
occrp.org/en/project/the…
Read 7 tweets
Oct 10
NEW: A court in Kyrgyzstan today sentenced two journalists to 5+ years in prison in a case that has sparked international condemnation from rights groups.
occrp.org/en/news/kyrgyz…
They are among 11 journalists from @TemirovLive, OCCRP’s local partner, who were detained in January for allegedly inciting and organizing mass riots.

Press freedom groups have called the case political.
occrp.org/en/project/unc…
One of the two is Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy. Her husband Bolot Temirov — who founded @TemirovLive — is in exile, stripped of his citizenship.

The judge said their son will now need to go to an orphanage for the six years of her imprisonment. Image
Read 6 tweets

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