In an investigation published Friday, Reuters reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used a network of Persian-language gambling websites and a Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange to transfer about $4 billion, circumventing international sanctions. The investigation identified two Iranian social media influencers — Sasha Subhani, son of Iran's former ambassador to Venezuela, and Pouyan Mokhtari — as having promoted the gambling platforms.
The Reuters investigation, published Friday, details how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) built a network of Persian-language gambling websites and a Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange to launder approximately $4 billion, bypassing international sanctions. The report specifically names Sasha Subhani, the son of Iran's former ambassador to Venezuela, and Pouyan Mokhtari, an Iranian social media influencer, as key figures who promoted the gambling platforms.
As The Zioneer reported on Friday, the investigation underscores the IRGC's systematic use of online platforms for illicit finance. The probe is part of a broader pattern of Iranian financial evasion. The Zioneer has previously covered related IRGC financing methods, including a shadow fleet that moved 600 million barrels of oil and the exploitation of Dubai free zones and hawala networks, as documented by researchers.
The $4 billion scheme adds to a series of Iranian financial maneuvers, including the reported release of $10-20 billion in frozen assets by the UAE, which The Zioneer has tracked in recent months. The investigation highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcing sanctions against Iran's sophisticated evasion networks.
2 developments
- DevelopingResearcher warns IRGC exploits Dubai free zones, trade hubs for illicit financing
- StrongIsrael sanctions 37 IRGC-linked crypto wallets containing $7 million
- DevelopingThe Zioneer publishes analysis on Iran's shadow fleet moving 600 million barrels of oil
- StrongTelegram blocks official IRGC spokesperson account; IRGC says block shows 'fear of Iran's enemies'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake