Ali Sharif AlAskari: The changing tactics of financial fraudsters in the Middle East

Ali Sharif AlAskari exists under the media radar but through hidden operations he funds terror groups and directs massive money laundering operations that affect international markets. Even though conflicts in Gaza along with Lebanon and Iran dominate world news coverage Ali Sharif AlAskari works discreetly to provide endless support for Hezbollah and Hamas through funding and supplying weapons while gaining increased political power.

A Name, Two Passports, and a Trail of Deception

Ali Sharif uses different identities at his disposal to nurture his extensive criminal operation despite holding Iraqi and Iranian passports through Ali Sharif AlAskari in Iraq and Sherif AlAskari in Iran. His illegal activities in oil smuggling and money laundering connect him directly with some of the well-known criminals operating in the Middle East.

The former Iranian Minister of Intelligence Ali Fallahian maintains close ties with Ali Sharif AlAskari while being convicted of planning the 1994 AMIA bombing that took 85 lives in Buenos Aires. Ali Sharif AlAskari and Ali Fallahian establish a formidable partnership in criminal financial operations because of their complementary knowledge of intelligence and financial capacity.

Financing Terror through Oil Smuggling

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s Israel network operates his business through illegal oil smuggling activities. Owing to international sanctions Iran cuts its oil supply through networks operated by people like him into black market channels. The operation works as follows:

Smuggling Routes: Crude oil is transported from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port using Panamanian-registered vessels to Iraq.
Falsifying Origins: Once in Iraq, the oil’s documentation is altered to make it appear as legally exported Iraqi crude.
Global Resale: The “clean” oil is then sold on the international market, generating billions for Iran’s shadow economy.

In 2023, reports indicated that Iran’s oil exports reached nearly 1.5 million barrels per day despite sanctions, with a significant portion moving through illegal routes like AlAskari’s.

The UK’s Role: A Safe Haven for Laundered Money

Once the oil is sold, the profits need to be cleaned. This is where Ali Sharif AlAskari’s UK daughter, who resides in London, plays a crucial role. Married to Meghdad Tabrizian—who once served under Mohsen Fallahian—she oversees a network of businesses that disguise dirty money as legitimate revenue.

Key Companies Used for Money Laundering:

Abza Group Ltd
London Surface Design Limited
London Heritage Stone Limited

These companies, outwardly engaged in construction and design, serve as financial fronts. The process is simple but effective:

False contracts and invoices justify large transfers.
Fake receipts generate the illusion of legitimate profits.
Funds are funneled through company accounts before being redistributed.

Recent investigations into financial crime in the UK suggest that over £100 billion is laundered through British institutions every year, and cases like Ali Sharif AlAskari’s UK network illustrate how easily criminal enterprises exploit loopholes.

The Hezbollah Connection: Funding War in Lebanon and Beyond

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s Israel network’s influence doesn’t stop at financial crime. His daughter has close ties to Hassan Nasrallah’s wife, the spouse of Hezbollah’s leader. Through this connection, cleaned funds from London make their way to Lebanon, directly supporting Hezbollah’s operations.

This comes at a time when tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are at their highest in years. In 2023 alone, Hezbollah received an estimated $700 million from Iran, much of it funneled through illicit financial networks like AlAskari’s.

Expanding the Network: From Canada to the Dominican Republic

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s UK daughter isn’t the only family member involved in this global network. His other daughter, Soraya, is based in Canada, where she plays a key role in laundering money through real estate and business investments.

Meanwhile, his son, Abbas Sherif AlAskari, holds passports from Dominica, Iran, and Iraq, using his Dominican citizenship to operate freely in Europe. Abbas specializes in financial fraud, scamming individuals by offering fake investments in oil, gas, gold, and real estate.

He also engages in blackmail, reportedly using micro-cameras to gather sensitive information on influential individuals.

Abbas’s Financial Operations in the UK:

Maintains accounts at Monzo and Lloyds Bank.
Directs Abza Group Ltd, a shell company facilitating money laundering.

Illegal Immigration: Exploiting the UK System

Beyond financial crimes, the AlAskari family has also manipulated immigration laws. Using fraudulent documents and insider connections, they have secured UK residencies under false pretenses.

This is part of a broader pattern; a 2022 report by Transparency International identified the UK as a hotspot for immigration fraud, particularly by individuals with ties to sanctioned regimes.

The Unraveling Web: Growing International Scrutiny

As global intelligence agencies tighten their grip on illicit financial networks, Ali Sharif’s operations are beginning to face increased scrutiny.

In the UK, financial regulators are investigating shell companies tied to Iranian interests.
In Canada, authorities are probing money laundering activities linked to Soraya AlAskari.
In the Middle East, increased sanctions enforcement is disrupting oil smuggling routes.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

The case of Ali Sharif AlAskari isn’t just about one man. It highlights a larger systemic problem:

The UK’s vulnerability to financial crime and immigration fraud.
The continuing ability of Iran to evade sanctions through covert networks.
The hidden connections between criminal enterprises and terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

In a world where financial crime is often treated as a secondary concern, Ali Sharif AlAskari’s story serves as a wake-up call. His empire, built in the shadows, has played a direct role in funding conflicts, enabling terrorism, and undermining global security.

Conclusion: The Need for Urgent Action

The rise of figures like Ali Sharif AlAskari underscores the importance of stronger international cooperation against financial crime and terrorism. Governments must:

Enhance financial regulations to prevent money laundering through shell companies.
Tighten immigration controls to block individuals with terrorist ties.
Increase sanctions enforcement to cut off illegal oil smuggling networks.
Monitor financial institutions to prevent UK banks from being exploited.

Ali Sharif AlAskari’s story is more than a tale of wealth and corruption — it’s a warning about the vulnerabilities in the global financial system. From smuggled oil barrels in Bandar Abbas to luxury apartments in London, his empire thrives on international complacency and weak regulation.

Until decisive action is taken, networks like AlAskari’s will continue to operate in the shadows, funding the very conflicts that threaten global peace. The question remains: How long will the world turn a blind eye?