DOMINICA CONVICTS BULK CASH SMUGGLER IN SOVIET-STYLE SHOW TRIAL

Government-controlled media in the Commonwealth of Dominica has gone to great pains to showcase what has been referred to as the first money laundering conviction under the new law, the amendments to the Money Laundering Prevention Act, Chapter 73.

Cash in the amount of €162,000 was reportedly seized by the Anti-Crime Task Force on July 4, 2021, and three charges of money laundering were filed against the EDWIN DANIEL REYES GARCIA, said to be a Venezuelan national. The defendant pled guilty to a single count of money laundering and was sentenced to two years in jail.

The money seized was ordered forfeited, and paid into a government account. Defendant Reyes Garcia was ordered deported at the close of his sentence.There has been no investigation into who Reyes Garcia was bulk cash smuggling the money for, where he intended to deposit it, and where obtained it, and from whom. Specifically, rumors that Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, was involved in a criminal conspiracy linked to the seized cash have not been investigated, and the case abruptly closed.

In truth and in fact, the case was a show trial in the best Communist Chinese or Soviet Russia sense of the term. The individuals whom Reyes Garcia was working for were never named; the purpose of the case was solely to give the Government of Dominica a conviction to publicly use as authority for the proposition that the Rule of Law is observed in Dominica. Nothing could be further from the truth.

HAS ALEX SAAB MORAN ALREADY CONCEDED THAT HE WILL BE CONVICTED?

Neil Schuster, Esq.

The presence of Miami attorney Neil Schuster, who is a noted appellate and post-conviction specialist, with 30 years of experience, as one of the attorneys of record in the Miami Federal money laundering case of ALEX NAIN SAAB MORAN, may indicate that Moran's primary law firm is expecting that their client may lose his current appeal asserting immunity from prosecution, and ultimately be convicted at trial. While the law imposes a presumption of innocence, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida has a stellar record in securing convictions in major contested money laundering cases; Schuster though, should be considered a worthy adversary in post-conviction matters.

Attorney Schuster, who has a reputation for winning on the appellate level, as well as securing significant sentence reductions, has been involved in the case from the beginning. While we have no information the extent of the evidence that the Government has against Saab, it is useful to remember that he previously was a cooperating individual for a substantial period of time, and during that time most likely submitted incriminating documents to US law enforcement. He was expected to ultimately surrender, but chose to renege on whatever arrangement his previous attorneys had negotiated. Extradited from Cape Verde, he faces substantial prison time. Efforts by the regime in Venezuela to secure his release through a major public relations campaign stressing his diplomatic immunity do not appear to have had any effect on his case.

It is anticipated that among the probable witnesses against him will be former University of Miami professor Bruce Bagley, who assisted Saab in the movement of money into the United States, for payment purposes. Bagley has already served a very short sentence, and resides within the Southern District.

WILL PRIVATE TERMINAL AT MIA FACILITATE MONEY LAUNDERING?

Details of a planned private suite service at Miami International Airport, targeting wealthy scheduled airline travelers who will pay $4000 to avoid the MIA crowds is disturbing, because the situation, where clients will be pampered and accommodated preflight in every way could lend itself to the unwitting facilitation of money laundering.The former Pan Am facility on 36th Street will be used for the private terminal.

The arrangement, which is reportedly already in use at LAX, comtemplates personalized TSA checks, luxury treatment of clients, and in general an atmosphere that one usually sees only for those affluent enough to travel on business jets My concern is that the illegal transport of financial instruments payable to the bearer, and yes, even bulk cash smuggling, will be facilitated by the "customer is always right" procedure for the high rollers who pay for such services.

Original 1920s terminal.

As readers probably know, back in the Miami Vice days, I bulk cash smuggled an extraordinary amount of cash and financial instruments through MIA, using tradecraft known to laundrymen, as well as other international airports, such at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in Paris, and I fully expect that money launderers will be able to use the relaxed atmosphere of a private terminal to their utmost advantage. Let us hope that the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department retreats from its decision, and does not allow a such a terminal to be created. Miami has enough money laundering problems as it is; this could makes things worse.

DID RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE DICTATE A FAVORABLE MONEYVAL REPORT ON MALTA?

As reported today, the forced resignation of the Executive Director of MONEYVAL, the AML regulatory agency, on grounds of his proven link to Russian intelligence, causes us to examine each and every major MONEYVAL decision rendered on his watch. What did he do that was illegal, and when did he do it?

The most important question that we must ask is: Did Russian intelligence influence the highly favorable report the agency rendered on the Republic of Malta? As we know, notwithstanding that report, FATF still Greylisted the island nation at the time. Remember, Malta's AML/CFT enforcement is, objectively speaking, completely ineffective. Banks engaged in systemic money laundering in Malta are not cited by the local regulatory or law enforcement agencies, due to rampant corruption. The Labour party leadership insures that bribes and kickbacks paid to their leaders are quickly funnelled through local banks and then abroad, into opaque financial institutions in tax haven jurisdictions. MONEYVAL should never has passed malta, based upon totally unenforced laws and regulations.

So we come to the issue: Did Russia fix the MONEYAL report? We trust that an internal investigation there will provide the compliance community with an answer. Otherwise, MONEYVAL's credibility as a reliable source of information will quickly become suspect.

WHY I AM A WANTED MAN IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA

When you write about rampant corruption, you get a bull's eye painted on your back. It's worse in the Caribbean, where a total lack of significant American or British influence results in regimes that openly sell diplomatic passports, fly in cooperative expat voters to fix national elections, and offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI/CIP) passports to all international white collar criminals who pay in cash with Greenbacks, US Dollars means that journalists who cover financial crime there are instant targets.

Five years ago, I began focusing upon CBI corruption in the five East Caribbean states (St. Kitts, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia & Grenada) that engage in the sale of passport giving the holder visa-free EU & UK entry, after seeing that a large number of fraudsters and money launderers were receiving these identity documents, compliance be damned in these countries.

I was particularly interested in Dominica, where the offenses senior government officials engaged in seemed to be on a much higher level, which is saying a lot. I am no stranger to the region. Back in the day when I was a career money launderer, I was successfully operating in the Caribbean every week, for a decade. Actually, I was in Dominica, seeking passports long before St Kitts became the first CBI state, in the early 1980s, including being in the audience in court in Roseau when there was an inquiry over the deaths of protesters objecting to the sale of passports by the corrupt government in 1979. I was one of those people engaged in acquisition of those passports for Iranians who had fled the Islamic Revolution, in the aftermath of a major hurricane's transit across the island.

My focus on Dominica's systemic corruption resulted in a major civil lawsuit against me, brought by all the senior national leaders, including the PM and Director of National Security. Fortunately, the court declined to take jurisdiction unless I was physically present in-country. Not that it mattered, for no American court would give Full Faith and Credit to a Dominica judgment, given the known corruption that exists there.

However, with the arrival of substantial Chinese influence in Dominica (their 900-man embassy, an obvious listening port on the United States) the situation has deteriorated even further, regarding human and civil rights. If I was to enter Dominica, I would certainly be arrested, and I fear that some sort of accident would befall me. Remember, there's no real US diplomatic presence to speak of in the region, outside of in Barbados. I would be just another tourist who unfortunately met his end on holiday. I will, however, be back in Dominica to visit the current Opposition the moment the situation changes, for there will be a need to obtain justice for two decades of corruption, and I'd certainly like to testify at the money laundering trials of the present leadership.

CHOKSI BRIBES HIS WAY OUT OF THE INTERPOL RED CARD ARREST NOTICE

Our continuing investigation into the unfolding story of India's Most Wanted Fugitive, MEHUL CHOKSI, which revealed recently that INTERPOL has cancelled and nullified the Red Card Notice outstanding against him, moves forward. The agency action means that Choksi is now free to leave Antigua, where he has found safe harbour for years, due to his prior purchase of an Antigua Citizenship by Investment (CBI) passport and citizenship. At this point, the only jurisdiction where he now faces arrest is his native India, where he is sought in connection with funds fraudulently obtained from a government-owned bank, Punjab, that are the equivalent of over USD$2bn.

Our reliable India sources have confirmed that Choksi paid several millions in bribes to a number of Indian law enforcement officials who are the designated liaison to INTERPOL, the international police agency, to cancel the Red Notice which India initially requested when Choksi fled to Antigua to avoid criminal prosecution. In other words, a contingent of the same police officials charged with capturing him and returning him to face justice have accepted extremely large illegal gratuities to effectively call off the global tool necessary to detain Choksi abroad, for ultimate extradition.

Until action is taken to reinstate the Red Card Notice, the Choksi quest is effectively over, and both the banks and his individual victims are in danger of never recovering their losses. A corruption investigation, authorized at the highest level, and possessing sufficient authority to get to the truth, make arrests, and see that justice is done, is the only possible successful outcome, given the probable seniority of those officials receiving these massive bribes. Will Choksi cheat justice?

SWEDISH FRAUDSTER SOREN DAWODY, DESPERATE TO HIDE THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GRENADA $19m SCANDAL, TAKES EXTREME MEASURES

Soren Anders Dawody

Our article the other day about SOREN DAWODY, the "developer" behind the failed Grenada GSA Aquaculture fraud, must have struck a nerve. He previously attempted to intimidate me into removing the articles I have published about his fraudulent conduct, by having a defamation attorney contact me with a notice,hoping that I would take them down, fearing litigation. I did not, and no lawsuit resulted. He then tried to settle the matter with me, but never followed through. From the numerous hit on my articles from readers in the Ukraine and elsewhere, it is obvious that he has lost the ability to fleece new victims because of the online truth.

Today, he has resorted to intimidation and blackmail; he must have engaged a hacker to manufacture what is claimed to be damaging material, and has now threatened me with it. Longtime readers of my blog, who know my colorful background, know that I don't scare easily when it comes to telling the truth about crime. It's time he refunds money to his victims, who never received the investment promised to them. Until then, those article will stay on the Internet, warning any investor who has the good sense to perform due diligence upon this Iraqi with a Swedish passport, to stay clear of him and his schemes.

INTERPOL HAS NO RED NOTICE ON THE INDIAN FUGITIVE MEHUL CHOKSI; BIG MISTAKE

According to reliable reports published in Indian media, INTERPOL has cancelled its Red Notice against MEHUL CHOKSI, the country's Most Wanted Fugitive. Apparently, his attorneys must have convinced some gullible people at that law enforcement agency that he cannot get fair trial in his native India, and that his case is a political conspiracy. We must also assume that they bought the fiction about his alleged "kidnapping," which was,in truth and in fact, a failed attempt to flee to Cuba by boat.

The Government of Antigua, whose officials we must assume were richly paid for their efforts, has gone to a great deal of trouble to confirm that Choksi was kidnapped by agents from India. If you have read my Investigative Report on the subject, you know that it is a work of fiction. If you have not, you can find it here:

Investigative Research: The Disappearance of Mehul Choksi https://rijock.blogspot.com/2023/02/investigative-research-disappearance-of.html

"Total number of public Red Notices in circulation: 7014

There are no results for your search. Please select 

different criteria."

(INTERPOL Red Notice search engine results)

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MALTA SEEKS CLOSED DOOR PROCEEDINGS IN PILATUS BANK CIVIL CASE, IMPLICATING AMERICAN, IRANIAN AND GERMAN DIRECTORS

VICTORIA BUTTIGIEG, Malta's Attorney General, who has been accused of protecting the guilty in the Pilatus Bank scandal, has asked the court to close and seal the proceedings in the Pilatus Bank civil case which demands that the government arrest the bank's directors for their alleged role in the biggest international money laundering operation in Malta's history.

Robert Aquilina, the president of civil society REPUBBLIKA, has publicly excoriated the AG, as well as the country's State Advocate, for attempting to hide the truth about Pilatus Bank's massive money laundering. The law requires that the bank's directors supervise its daily operation, and insure that the bank is not a center for laundering the proceeds of crime for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), which appears to be its principal role, as well as hiding the payment of bribes and kickbacks paid to senior government officials, including the then Prime Minister, JOSEPH MUSCAT, his Chief of Staff, and cabinet members.

The Board of Directors of record are:

LUIS FELIPE RIVERA: CEO and Director.

ALI SADR HASHEMINEJAD, CEO and Chairman of the Board

GHAMBARI HAMIDREZA, Director

ROBERT LEWIS KLINGINSMITH, Director

ARMIN ECKERMANN, Director

JOHANNES HELMUT BAUER, Director

PHILIP MERCIECA, Director

JOSEPH JERRY LIOW-YUNE JOY, Director

NOTE: Some of these directors have sought to remove themselves from liability by tendering their reservations. Such actions are ineffective.

TRADECRAFT: THE MONEY LAUNDERERS' TOOL BOX IS STILL NOT TAUGHT TO FRONTLINE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS

When you go to law school you learn black-letter law and issue perception, but you generally do not learn the practical aspects of the practice of law. In the compliance world, you are taught how to access resources for Customer Identification Procedure and for transaction monitoring, but you are not taught nearly enough about tradecraft, the actual methods and techniques that laundrymen have been using successfully for decades.

For example, while the basics of trade-based money laundering are delivered, such as the use of a program that detects variations in pricing of more than five percent, the fact that laundrymen routinely employ a number of high-effective methods where they do not change the prices of the goods from what the market in that industry demands is not detailed in either lectures or in written material. For example, launderers have been known to move money through several different banks, all employing a single legitimate shipment as the basis for the multiple wire transfers, knowing that the unrelated banks, in different states, do not normally communicate with one another on TDML issues.

The emphasis on CIP and transaction monitoring, while essential to our profession, must be complemented by an extensive knowledge of both the historical methods appearing published court decisions, as well as an understanding of what types of industries and businesses can be adapted to the needs of money launderers, who must continually create new typologies to stay ahead of compliance. The details of the most obscure and esoteric methods of money laundering must also become familiar, because it's the strange techniques that work every time they are applied, and none of them can be found in AML materials. Kenneth Rijock; miamicompliance@gmail.com .

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