By John Lee.
A fraud network that purchased more than 170 properties in Babylon and Baghdad and registered them in the names of others has been dismantled, with all nine suspects arrested.
The properties, which include state-owned and agricultural land, are estimated to be worth tens of billions of Iraqi dinars (hundreds of millions of dollars).
According to the Federal Commission of Integrity, the network registered the properties in the names of relatives and associates of the accused in order to conceal true ownership and evade financial scrutiny. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Saqour (Falcons) intelligence cell in Babylon.
The network's leader is identified as the head of the Abu Ghurq real estate registration office, who previously served as director of the Mansour and Babylon real estate registration offices. He was also found to own two commercial buildings in central Hilla.
Investigators recovered key documents after witnesses reported that the accused had attempted to destroy them. Some records were found hidden in a bag among reeds; others were retrieved from the banks and waters of the Hilla shore after being thrown in to prevent their use as evidence.
Arrest warrants were issued by a judge of the Babylon Integrity Investigation Court under Articles 289 and 298 of the Penal Code. The investigating judge has ordered that proceedings continue under Article 19/2 of the amended Integrity and Illicit Enrichment Commission Law No. 30 of 2011.
(Source: Federal Commission of Integrity)
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