London Men Busted in Massive £104M Money Laundering Sting
Two Londoners have become the 15th and 16th convicts in a huge money laundering ring exposed by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Ali Al-Nawab, 40, from Golders Green, and Mehdi Amrollahbibiyouki, 41, from Finchley, were found guilty after a three-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court.
Cash Smuggled from UK to UAE in Suitcases
The criminal gang, led by Abdullah Alfalasi who is already serving over nine years, laundered a staggering £104 million between November 2019 and October 2020. The illicit cash was smuggled out of the UK on 83 separate trips, often hidden in suitcases sprayed with coffee or air fresheners to fool detection dogs.
- Amrollahbibiyouki made three trips to Dubai in early 2020, carrying £4.3m in 12 suitcases.
- Al-Nawab was caught in May 2022 trying to fly to Turkey after transporting £3.2m on two trips in March 2020.
- Evidence revealed Amrollahbibiyouki helped count and package £11.1m laundered across eight courier trips.
NCA Cracks Down On Organised Crime’s Financial Operations
Adrian Searle, Director of the NCA’s National Economic Crime Centre, stressed the importance of tackling organised crime by following the money. “Disrupting cash flows hits criminals where it hurts and holds them accountable,” he said.
With UK Border Force and UAE authorities backing the probe, several British couriers remain trapped in the UAE, unable to leave as investigations continue.
Sentencing Set for March as Network Begins to Crumble
Both Al-Nawab and Amrollahbibiyouki await sentencing on 8 March at Isleworth Crown Court alongside other ring members. The NCA vows to hunt down every individual involved until justice is served.
This takedown marks a major blow to one of the UK’s most extensive money laundering networks, highlighting relentless law enforcement determination to smash organised crime’s financial backbone.
