Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Lebanese Canadian Bank Forfeits $150 Million to US Authorities | Monte Friesner Breaking News |

 
 
 
 
FROM THE - JOURNALS of Monte Friesner Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA ~

 

US Seizes $150 Million From Lebanese Bank in Laundering Scheme |

 

U.S. authorities said on Monday that they had seized $150 million from a Lebanese bank suspected of being at the heart of international money-laundering schemes linked to the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah.


In February 2011, the U.S. Treasury department designated the Lebanese Canadian Bank as a "primary money-laundering concern." The privately owned bank was subsequently merged with the Lebanese subsidiary of Societe Generale.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration accused bank officials of knowingly participating in a scheme in which money from various individuals and companies in Beirut was sent from Lebanon to purchase used cars in the United States. The cars were then sold in West Africa, and Hezbollah-linked groups would help smuggle the proceeds into Lebanon, authorities said.

Hezbollah is a Shi'ite Islamist guerrilla and political movement founded with Iran's help after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982.

Washington considers Hezbollah to be a terrorist group. U.S. officials say that it has become increasingly involved in the drug trade, facilitating the distribution and sale of cocaine in West Africa.

The money seized was held in corresponding accounts at five different banks in the United States, including Citibank and London-based bank Standard Chartered. The five banks have not been accused of any wrongdoing.

An attorney for the Lebanese Canadian Bank did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
 
NOTE: Over the next few week many Banks, Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, Corporations, Individuals will be exposed for their Activities, Greed, Capture of Money and Illegal Activities without regard for any form of Law, Sanctions or Conscience.
 
WANTED SA kindly thanks US Treasury, Kenneth Rijock, AFP, Reuters, BBC, Associated Press, DEA, FBI, ICE, Westlaw, Arutz Sheva, and all the Parties, Press, Journalists, Law Enforcement and Securities forces  who have contributed to the many articles and their sincere opinions and statements.
 
WANTED SA states that the facts and opinions stated in this article are those of the author and not those of WANTED SA. We do not warrant the accuracy of any of the facts and opinions stated in this article nor do we endorse them or accept any form of responsibility for the articles.

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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Standard Chartered Pays Fine Only For Iran Sanctions | Monte Friesner Breaking News |

STANDARD CHARTERED IS NOT OUT OF BANKING TROUBLES YET |

FROM THE - JOURNALS of Monte Friesner Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA ~
 
WANTED SA has learned this afternoon that Standard Chartered on Aug. 14, 2012  agreed to pay $340 Million USD to New York State's Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) to settle  allegations that the UK bank breached U.S. sanctions against Iran.

However,the bank is still under investigation by the Department of Justice, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve for numerous other Criminal alleged activities.



The new formed NYDFS headed by Benjamin Lawsky is rapidly becoming a Crime Fighting Force that has no allegiance to any bank lobbyists nor is related to the so called "Big Bank Old Boys Club".
NYDFS will pull the licenses of any Banks, Credit Card Companies, Financial Groups, etc., listed in the State of New York without any fear.

NYDFS is not here to make friends, go golfing or have lunchs at strip bars with the bank executives, but to enforce the law and protect the public and depositers.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Murcia Guzman Associates Under Microscope in USA | Monte Friesner Breaking News |

INDICTMENTS LOOM AGAINST ASSOCIATES OF DAVID MURCIA GUZMAN |

FROM THE - JOURNALS of Monte Friesner Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA ~
 
Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~


Though he remains imprisoned in the United States, serving a nine-year sentence for money laundering*, the Colombian Ponzi schemer, David Helmut Murcia Guzmán, appears to have rendered sufficient Substantial Assistance to warrant a major Sentence Reduction. It is believed that his sentence will be reduced to 5 or 6 years. His present location is unknown, and a check at the United States Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator database has failed to identify his whereabouts, which is a possible indication that he is in some state or local facility, assisting law enforcement in the indictment of others in his case.

It appears that information he previously submitted has borne fruit. Reportedly, the focus of the ongoing law enforcement investigation are:



(1) Murcia's former  business associates, partners, and recipients of his investment capital, many of whom are presently holding a large portion of DMG's criminal proceeds.  Though they have not been publicly identified, the names of several Panamanian businessmen have been advanced by observers who have noted that enquiries have been made into their assets since April**. Some of these individuals are understood to have taken advantage of Murcia's naivete, and engaged in massive theft of his assets. Remember, disregard the official figures; we are talking about a probable $3bn in Murcia's hands, some of which was admittedly Colombian narco-profits that was quietly and efficiently laundered, along with his fraud proceeds.

(2) The missing assets themselves. Outside of Panama, DMG assets have allegedly been located in Singapore, Switzerland, the Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Belize and Andorra.. We have already discussed the seven yachts purchased, for cash, the six-figure luxury cars, and the penthouse condominium suites in Panama, but there were also other luxury yachts, bought through corporations having bearer shares, for Murcia, in a manner that resulted in the laundering of many millions of dollars.  In other countries, accounts and investments placed by, or on behalf of, Murcia Guzmán, remain in place. Some of these assets have reportedly been identified for seizure and forfeiture.



Are there sealed indictments against additional individuals ? We cannot say, for that information would be be disclosed until the defendants are in American custody, either through arrest, or extradition to the United States. We will continue to follow the case as it unfolds. An additional article will appear here shortly, covering other Murcia assets under investigation.


________________________________________________________________
* USA v. Guzmán, 09-cr-00110-WHP (SDNY).
** The court file contains 6 sealed pleading that have been filed, under seal, since his conviction, the last one being filed on 4 April.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Iraq Officials Confess & Alert to Massive Money Laundering | Monte Friesner Breaking News |

IRAQ WARNS ABOUT BULK CASH SMUGGLING INTO THE WEST |

FROM THE - JOURNALS of Monte Friesner Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA ~
 
Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~


The Government of Iraq has taken the unusual step of publicly warning Western financial institutions about the massive amount of US Dollars that are being illegally sent abroad. Conservative Iraqi estimates have placed the amount at $4bn per month, and it is fleeing the country in a number of ways:

(1) High-level governmental and party officials have been implicated by the Iraqi Government, though to date it has refused to disclose their identities.

(2) Influential businessmen, with ties to government, and the family members of these officials, are all listed as participants in this capital flight scheme.

(3) Illegal currency exchange operations, whose primary objective is the bulk cash smuggling of dollars out of Iraq.

(4) Forged international trade documents, in support of phantom purchases of goods overseas, are being used as a cover for the exit of dollars.



You can expect to see a number of extremely affluent Iraqi bankers, and corrupt PEPs, seeking to open accounts in Europe this year. They will be depositing cash, if you are foolish enough to accept it.

The dollars streaming out of Iraq, and a similar flood in Afghanistan, should cause you to red-flag all large cash transactions, where the client/customer is coming from a combat zone, whether in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa. This "war zone flight capital" is not clean, nor by any stretch of the imagination, or wishful thinking of a relationship manager, will it be clean. Do not accept it, and document your actions thoroughly, lest your bank be amongst those investigated by law enforcement or regulators, tracking the client that you were smart enough to reject.
NOTE: Wanted SA & Monte Friesner spent a considerable amount of time in Iraq & Kurdistan Region of Iraq investigation and analyzing the massive amount of money laundering involving high ranking government officials and also high ranking officials of the Central Bank of Iraq and the Central Bank of Kurdistan.
 
Monte Friesner discovered and exposed money laundering operations in Austria, USA, Canada, Sweden and Russia in control of Kurds in the various countries with the largest cell in Canada and Austria. All reports, photos and documents were submitted to International Law Enforcement in October of 2011.
_____________________________________________________________________
For Further Reading:

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Okke Ornstein Had His Day in Court On July 18, 2012 | His Lawyer Appeared for His Trial |

 

PANAMANIAN COURT CONVICTS DUTCH FRAUDSTER



Readers have been following my reports on the efforts of Panamanian law enforcement to capture the elusive fugitive Dutch fraudster, Okke Ornstein, who has been evading arrest through constant movement, will be interested in learning that the Panamanian criminal justice system has obtained a conviction in Absentia. The Criminal Court, of the First Judicial Provincial Circuit, has ruled that Ornstein is guilty of multiple white collar crimes, and has issued its order accordingly.

Okke Ornstein
Though he declined to appear at the trial, Ornstein did have counsel present. Sentencing has been set for 3 October, in Panama City. Mr. Ornstein, who was the general manager of the massive Ponzi scheme operated in Panama by Marc Harris, received both immunity and a cash reward, for testifying against Harris, who is now serving a 17-year term of imprisonment in the United States, for money laundering and other federal crimes.

It has been rumoured that Panama's beleaguered President, Ricardo Martinelli, engaged Ornstein as a Public Relations spin-master recently. Subsequent reports say that Ornstein was later abruptly relieved of that position, for unknown reasons.

Ornstein and his partner, master Ponzi schemer Marc Harris
The Defendant, who claims that he is a journalist, has of late engaged in character assassination of yours truly online, after I detailed his long criminal career. Be aware that he may approach members of the financial industry in Panama, ostensibly as a reporter, but intent upon committing a serious fraud at the expense of your bank or business; Turn him away, and contact law enforcement. His alias is: Okke Van Ooijen.

Sentencing is scheduled for 3 October, and it appears that the long arm of justice is about to grasp Mr. Ornstein firmly about the neck, and apply firm pressure; He cannot evade capture indefinitely.

One final note: apparently he failed to appear at a hearing involving another criminal case in Panama today, and yet another warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Monday, August 6, 2012

MARTINELLI YACHT CAPSIZES BECAUSE OF POOR OVER LOADING OF CARGO | YACHT RECENTLY HAD REFURBISHING & MAINTENANCE FOR LONG TRIP |

DID SUNK PANAMANIAN PRESIDENTIAL YACHT CONTAIN NARCOTICS ?

Photo said to be that of the vessel Aqua Bella, half submerged.


The personal yacht of Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli. the Aqua Bella, was reported sunk yesterday in the Pineapple Bay (Baía de Piñas) by local media. The yacht, which allegedly hit rocks off the coast off Panama's Darién Province, was valued at USD$ 2.5m.


Reports say that the three crew members were rescued unharmed, as well as a member of the team of bodyguards of one of Martinelli's sons. Questions have been raised in Panama about the cargo on board, and the circumstances of the last voyage of the vessel, which was rumoured to be carrying a load of cocaine, and was deliberately scuttled for unknown reasons. The Baía de Piñas is in Darién Province, one of Panama's most remote locations, and is very near the frontier with Colombia.

President Martinelli, who owns a chain of supermarkets in Panama, has long been linked by veteran observers of Panama to drug trafficking and money laundering. It is curious that a member of his personal bodyguard has been named as having been on board, with no family members listed. Recovery efforts are said to be planned; perhaps then the truth will be known.



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

VISA & MASTER CARD DISREGARD INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS FOR IRAN | MONTE FRIESNER BREAKING NEWS |

US SANCTIONS ELAF ISLAMIC BANK FOR IRAN SANCTIONS VIOLATIONS

FROM THE - JOURNALS of Monte Friesner Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA ~
 
Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock


The US Department of the Treasury has filed sanctions against Elaf Islamic Bank, of Baghdad, for significant transactions with the sanctioned Export Development Bank of Iran. The bank, formerly known as Barakaat Bank for Investment & Funding, is not to be confused with other Middle Eastern financial institutions of similar name.


Treasury's announcement, which was made pursuant to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and  Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA),  stated that the bank had "significant financial transactions and provided significant financial services for a designated Iranian bank." Export Development Bank was sanctioned by the US in 2008, and by the EU in 2010.

Elaf Islamic Bank's SWIFT/BIC is ELAF IQ BA. It is now denied access to the US financial system, and all banks that have corespondent or payable-through accounts for Elaf must close them by 10 August.



I humbly suggest that you take this regulatory action as a wake-up call regarding Iraqi banks.

(1)You really need to conduct an on-site inspection before engaging in any major relationship with a financial institution whose principal office is located in Iraq.

(2) Who are its correspondent banks, and are any of them in Iran, Syria or Cuba ?

(3) What are the backgrounds of its senior leadership ?

(4) Is is possible there are Iranian stockholders of the bank ? This is the case with some.

(5) Is the bank funneling US Dollar notes, in bulk, to any jurisdiction that would bother US regulators ?

(6) How was the initial capitalisation of the bank accomplished ? Source of Funds, please.

If you cannot get satisfactory answers to these questions, do not engage with the bank.
 
NOTE: Over the next few week many Banks, Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, Corporations, Individuals will be exposed for their Activities, Greed, Capture of Money and Illegal Activities without regard for any form of Law, Sanctions or Conscience.
 
WANTED SA kindly thanks US Treasury, Kenneth Rijock, AFP, Reuters, BBC, Associated Press, DEA, FBI, ICE, Westlaw, Arutz Sheva, and all the Parties, Press, Journalists, Law Enforcement and Securities forces  who have contributed to the many articles and their sincere opinions and statements.
 
WANTED SA states that the facts and opinions stated in this article are those of the author and not those of WANTED SA. We do not warrant the accuracy of any of the facts and opinions stated in this article nor do we endorse them or accept any form of responsibility for the articles.

For Confidential Contact:
WASHINGTON, D.C.        1.202.787.3861 -
TOLL FREE FROM USA & CANADA:   1.888.255.1533 -
LONDON CENTRAL, UNITED KINGDOM (44) 207.993.6256 -
Or e-mail us:
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