Official: CBI News 01/09/2023

[yota691]

Starting tomorrow

The Commercial Bank of the Kurdistan Region resumes selling dollars to tourists at the official rate

2023.03.19 - 10:13

 

Baghdad - Nas   

The Commercial Bank of the Kurdistan Region announced, on Sunday, the resumption of selling the dollar at a price of 1320 dinars tomorrow in its Erbil branch.  

  

  

A statement issued by the Commercial Bank of Kurdistan, a copy of which "NAS" received, stated (March 19, 2023), that "the Erbil branch will resume selling dollars to tourists, starting tomorrow, at a price of 1,320 dinars per dollar."  

  

 The statement indicated, "Tourists can fill out a form requesting dollars from the Commercial Bank branch of the Kurdistan Region."  

  

He added, "The documents required to purchase dollars from the Commercial Bank for the Erbil branch are as follows: a passport, a travel visa, airline tickets, and tourists who hold nationalities of countries other than Iraq and who travel with Iraqi passports must hold both passports," indicating that "a tourist will be accepted." Umrah who do not have airline tickets without airline tickets.  

[yota691]

Seizing 522 MasterCard cards packed with sums of money intended for smuggling at Basra Airport

2023.03.29 - 13:21

 

Baghdad - people  

The Border Ports Authority announced, on Wednesday, the arrest of three travelers with 522 international MasterCard cards intended for smuggling at the Basra International Airport port.  

  

  

  

The authority said in a statement, which “NAS” received a copy of, (March 29, 2023), that “the Basra International Airport Port Directorate, through intensified inspection and audit procedures for travelers and goods, managed to seize three passengers in possession of an international Master Card, numbering 522 cards that were filled with sums of money.” For the purpose of smuggling hard currency money out of the country by withdrawing those amounts in the countries they intend to travel to.  

  

She pointed out that "a ban on the arrest of fundamentalists was organized and the accused and the cards were referred to the Basra International Airport police station to present the matter before the eyes of the competent investigating judge to take appropriate legal measures."  

[yota691]

Three passengers were arrested in possession of 522 MasterCard cards intended for smuggling at Basra Airport

• Time: 03/29/2023 13:00:44
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• Read: 936 times

  

{Umniah: Al Furat News} The Border Crossings Authority announced the arrest of three travelers in possession of (522) international MasterCard cards intended for smuggling at Basra International Airport.

A statement of the authority, which {Euphrates News} received a copy of, stated that "the Basra International Airport Port Directorate was able, through intensified inspection and audit procedures for travelers and goods, to seize three passengers and seized in their possession the international Master Card, numbering (522) cards that were loaded with sums of money for the purpose of smuggling money from hard currency outside the country by withdrawing those amounts in the countries they intend to travel to.”

He added, "A ban on the arrest of fundamentalists was organized and the accused and the cards were referred to the Basra International Airport police station to present the matter before the eyes of the competent investigating judge to take the appropriate legal measures."

[6ly410]

What is the truth about the intention of the Central Bank to sell the dollar at the official rate to all citizens? Parliamentarian answers

2023.03.29 - 20:40

What is the truth about the intention of the Central Bank to sell the dollar at the official rate to all citizens? Parliamentarian answers (nasnews.com)

  

Baghdad - Nas  

MP Briar Rashid said on Wednesday that the central bank is still selling dollars at official prices to travelers, but there are no current intentions to sell dollars at the official rate to all citizens.  

  

    

Rashid stated in a statement received by NAS (March 29, 2023), that "after the publication of a letter from the Central Bank and a wrong interpretation of the letter, we recently had a telephone conversation with the Governor of the Central Bank and assured us that the Central Bank will continue to sell dollars at official prices for the purpose of travel, treatment and study costs."  

  

"Except for the reasons mentioned above, the central bank has no intention at the moment to sell the dollar at the official rate to citizens," he said.  

[yota691]

What is the truth about the central bank’s intention to sell the dollar at the official rate to all citizens? A parliamentarian answers

2023.03.29 - 20:40

 

Baghdad - Nas  

Parliament member Briar Rashid said, on Wednesday, that the Central Bank is still selling the dollar at the official rate, to travelers, but there are no current intentions to sell the dollar at the official rate to all citizens.  

  

  

  

Rashid mentioned in a statement that “NAS” received a copy of it (March 29, 2023), that “after publishing a letter from the Central Bank and a wrong interpretation of the letter, we had a short time ago a telephone conversation with the governor of the Central Bank and he assured us that the Central Bank will continue to sell the dollar at official prices for the purpose of travel.” treatment and study costs.  

  

He continued, "Except for the reasons mentioned above, the central bank has no intention at the present time to sell the dollar at the official rate to citizens."  

[yota691]

Arresting passengers smuggling money using MasterCard

The first  2023/03/30

 

 

  Baghdad: morning 

 

Yesterday, Wednesday, the Border Ports Authority arrested three travelers in possession of 522 international MasterCard cards intended for smuggling at the Basra International Airport port. 

A statement by the authority stated that "the Basra International Airport Port Directorate, and by intensifying inspection and audit procedures for travelers and goods, managed to seize three travelers in possession of an international Master Card, numbering 522 cards that were loaded with amounts of money for the purpose of smuggling money from hard currency outside the country by withdrawing those amounts in countries they intend to travel to.

He pointed out that "a ban was organized to arrest the suspects and the cards were transferred to the Basra International Airport Police Station to present the matter before the attention of the competent investigating judge to take the appropriate legal measures."

[yota691]

The border crossings thwart the smuggling of (65) international Visa cards at Baghdad Airport

• Time: 03/30/2023 19:19:41
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• Read: 1,859 times

  

{Umniah: Al Furat News} Today, Thursday, the border crossings authority's detachments thwarted an attempt to smuggle (65) international Visa cards at Baghdad International Airport.

 

The commission stated in a statement, which {Euphrates News} received a copy of, about: “The Baghdad Airport Port Directorate, in cooperation with the Civil Customs Center and the Customs Police, and by intensifying inspection and verification procedures for travelers and goods, managed to arrest an Iraqi traveler and seized an international Visa card in his possession, number (65). An unauthorized card that was loaded with sums of money for the purpose of smuggling money from hard currency outside the country by withdrawing those sums in the countries to which he intends to travel. 
And she referred to "the formation of a committee, the organization of a ban on the arrest of fundamentalists, and the transfer of the accused and the cards to the Baghdad International Airport police station to present the matter before the eyes of the competent investigating judge to take the appropriate legal measures." 

[yota691]

Customs: Foiling an attempt to smuggle 334 Visa cards at Baghdad Airport

• Time: 04/20/2023 20:48:41
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• Read: 2,002 times

  

{Local: Al Furat News} Baghdad International Airport customs staff managed, today, Thursday, to thwart an attempt to smuggle (334) Visa cards in the possession of a traveler heading to Dubai.

 

And the General Authority of Customs indicated, in a statement that {Euphrates News} received a copy of, that: “The control process was carried out through cooperation with the customs police, and all necessary legal measures have been taken according to Customs Law No. (23) of 1984.”

[yota691]

Thwarting the smuggling of more than five million dollars using payment cards

The first  2023/04/27

 

 

  Baghdad: Saad Al Sammak 

 

In light of the increasing deception of importers and merchants to smuggle the dollar in various ways in recent months, the Customs Authority revealed that it thwarted attempts to smuggle more than 5 million dollars using electronic payment cards.

 

The director of the authority, Hassan Hammoud Al-Aqili, told Al-Sabah: The customs centers were able to thwart several attempts to smuggle more than 5 million dollars, which were in the accounts of more than 1,100 electronic payment cards, which were found by the customs inspection and follow-up committees accompanied by Iraqi travelers to foreign countries.

 

He added that the recent strict government restrictions prompted fraudsters to resort to more crooked ways to smuggle dollars, until it came to using an electronic payment card and depositing its amount in banks of some foreign countries, which indicates organized operations in smuggling dollars. 

 

Al-Agaili pointed out that the authority, in coordination with the judiciary, took strict proactive measures during the past period, which resulted in preventing the fraud and manipulation of many importers and exporters to smuggle the currency using several means, most notably the smuggling of the currency by (forging documents approved by the customs declaration), considering that these actions are among the criminal violations that are judged. The law is strictly enforced and is considered an economic crime.

 

He explained that the customs declaration is one of the most common ways to obtain dollars, as some importers and traders deliberately present false invoices for imported goods that are higher than their real value in order to keep the rest of the value abroad, indicating that the authority is in the process of developing a disciplined mechanism in partnership with the Central Bank to deal with this. cases.

 

And Al-Aqili indicated that the authority achieved revenues that exceeded 214 billion dinars, an increase of 13 billion dinars over the same period last year, despite the issuance of the Council of Ministers’ decision at the beginning of this year to reduce customs duties in general.

 

In the context, customs expert Adel Suleiman Al-Zubaidi saw that there are accelerated steps to complete the first and second phases of the international ASYCUDA system (customs automation) to get rid of interference in powers and the margin of personal diligence, acceptance and processing of manual (existing), customs permits for shipments and goods, and payment of due fees and taxes.

 

He added that this system will contribute to curbing corruption, red tape, and nepotism, returning lost revenues to the state treasury, and linking domestic and international trade exchange. 

 

Suleiman stated that the Customs Authority is working within the framework of the government program to strike a balance between control and facilitation of customs procedures, as it continues its work on implementing the alternative electronic system (temporary for automating customs transactions) and linking the control, supervisory and security departments with this system to follow up and support the Prime Minister's Office.

 

Edited by: Ali Mouafaq

[yota691]

A government advisor reveals smuggling of dollars through credit cards

 

April 29, 2023

Baghdad / Obelisk Al-Hadath: Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the economic advisor in the Iraqi government, commented today, Saturday, on the smuggling of dollars through the “electronic payment card.”

Saleh said, "After setting strict controls by the Central Bank and the government that prevented currency smuggling outside the country, some people worked to use electronic payment methods and provide travelers with prepaid cards or credit cards, under the pretext of feeding the need of the beneficiary traveler for foreign currency, specifically for the purposes of tourism and travel." Noting that “this matter was also revealed, and there is intense follow-up on it.”

And he pointed out that “there are those who work to smuggle currency by withdrawing money from ATMs in mostly foreign countries and using its liquidity that indicates the rights of others and in the interest of one beneficiary or a group of beneficiaries from the elements of crime, including its later use in black transfers.”

The government advisor stated that “these actions contradict the laws of combating money laundering, crime and terrorism funds.”

Saleh stressed that "anyone who works to smuggle currency through this method will expose himself to accountability and legal accountability, and there are many cases that have been detected and work is continuing to prevent any cases of smuggling currency in any way."

Earlier, the Customs Authority revealed that it had thwarted attempts to smuggle more than $5 million using electronic payment cards.

[Officiallytook]

Hold up... They know what's going down soon* lol

[6ly410]

Najaf International Airport: Adopting the dinar exclusively for passenger tickets on Iraqi Airways

Tuesday, May 02, 2023 21:49 |EconomyViews: 59

Najaf International Airport: Adopting the dinar exclusively for passenger tickets on Iraqi Airways (ninanews-com.translate.goog)

Najaf / NINA / - The administration of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf International Airport announced that it had received the sums from passengers on Iraqi Airways exclusively in Iraqi dinars and at the official rate of the Central Bank, and promised to go to cancel the binding collection for travelers in the near future.

The airport administration said in a statement that it had directed to receive the sums owed by Iraqi Airways passengers exclusively in Iraqi dinars and at the official rate of the Central Bank of Iraq.

And regarding the collection of the tax, the administration confirmed that it will spare no effort to resolve this file, and work is underway to cancel this tax, and we will spread its good news to travelers soon, God willing.

It is noteworthy that Iraqi travelers are exclusively deducted from them an amount of $ 20 for each flight via Iraqi Airways./ End

[3n1]

so is this how iraq gonna de-dollarize ? by just making the iqd the only currency to be used then give it purchasing power .... heres hoping

[yota691]

Iraqi travelers were arrested at Al-Najaf airport in possession of hundreds of "Visa cards"

2023.05.02 - 18:57

li

Baghdad - people   

Today, Tuesday, the Border Ports Authority announced the arrest of 3 travelers with 367 visa cards at the port of Najaf International Airport.  

  

  

The authority said in a statement, which “NAS” received a copy of, (May 2, 2023), that “the Najaf International Airport Port Directorate managed, in cooperation with the Customs Center, by intensifying inspection and audit procedures for travelers and goods, to arrest three Iraqi travelers, who were caught in possession of international Visa Cards.” Their number is (367) cards that they did not declare.  

She added, "It was mobilized with sums of money for the purpose of smuggling hard currency out of the country by withdrawing those sums in the countries they intend to travel to," indicating that "fundamental and legal measures were taken against them and they were referred to the judiciary with the seizures." 

[yota691]

Thwarting the smuggling of (300) Visa cards at Najaf Airport

• Time: 05/05/2023 08:30:33
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• Read: 1,859 times

  

{Local: Al Furat News} The General Authority of Customs announced, today, Friday, that it had thwarted the smuggling of (300) Visa cards in the possession of a traveler who was intending to leave the country.

And the customs media stated in a statement received by {Euphrates News}, that "the process was carried out through careful inspection and follow-up by the customs authority, as it was hidden inside cigarette packets belonging to the traveler." 

The statement added, "The operation was carried out in cooperation with the customs police and the support departments."

The authority indicated, according to the statement, that "all necessary legal measures have been taken." .  

[yota691]

Thwarting the smuggling of (128) Visa cards at Shalamcheh port

• Time: 05/07/2023 08:28:11
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• Read: 1,495 times

 

 

  

{Local: Al Furat News} Today, Sunday, the Border Crossings Authority thwarted an attempt to smuggle (128) Visa cards at the Shalamcheh crossing.

And the media of the outlets stated in a statement received by {Euphrates News}, that "the Directorate of the Shalamcheh Border Crossing, in cooperation with the Customs Center, managed to arrest an Iraqi traveler, who was caught in possession of (128) hidden international Visa cards, as they were filled with sums of money for the purpose of smuggling money of hard currency outside the country by withdrawing those sums in the countries to which he intends to travel. 

And the statement added, "A committee was formed, a ban on the seizure of fundamentals was organized, and the accused and the cards were referred to the customs police station to take appropriate legal measures against him." 

[yota691]

US campaign against money laundering

Report: Iraqi merchants resort to a 'new tactic' to access the dollar

2023.05.09 - 08:54

 

Baghdad - Nas  

The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal said  that local currency dealers in Iraq find it difficult to access the dollar, due to the attempts made by the United States to prevent the illegal flow of dollars to Iran, and then they resort to traveling to nearby countries with piles of bank cards; To withdraw hard currency there.  

  

Over the past two months, more than 24 Iraqis carrying about 1,200 bank cards and in possession of more than $5 million were arrested at airports and border crossings while trying to leave the country, according to Alaeddin al-Qaisi, a spokesman for the Iraqi Border Crossings Authority.  

  

On Friday, May 5, the authorities detained another Iraqi traveler trying to smuggle 300 bank cards inside packs of cigarettes at the international airport in the city of Najaf, central Iraq.  

  

New tactic  

  

"This use of [bank] credit cards to smuggle dollars is a new tactic that began when the government launched its campaign," al-Qaisi said.  

  

In another, similar case, a person was arrested at Baghdad airport after an employee handed him a bag containing 300 bank cards after passing a security check, according to al-Qaisi.  

  

For years, Iraq was a cash-driven economy that relied heavily on US dollar transactions, making it a significant source of illicit dollar flows to Iran and other Middle Eastern countries subject to Western sanctions.  

  

In November, the US Treasury and the Central Bank of Iraq imposed stricter controls on international dollar transactions carried out by Iraqi banks; In an effort to reduce money laundering and smuggling.  

  

Due to US-led steps, the price of the dollar rose against the Iraqi dinar in the gray market, which led to an increase in demand for dollars. Where the dollar was sold for 1,750 Iraqi dinars at exchange offices during the month of February, an increase of 20% higher than the official announced price of 1,460 dinars at the time.  

  

It is true that Iraqi citizens can hold dollars at exchange offices at the market rate, but Iraqi banks allowed depositors to issue cash cards covered by the equivalent of $10,000 at the official exchange rate, and they can be used outside the country to withdraw money in cash.  

  

restrictions from the central bank  

  

Currency traders and Iraqi officials say that in recent months, currency traders have submitted requests to extract dozens of bank cards and give them to travelers who travel to nearby countries to withdraw dollars.  

  

At the beginning of this week, the authorities said that they had detained an Iraqi who was trying to take 128 bank cards out of the country through a land border crossing with Iran.  

  

Traders said hard currency was being sold at a premium on the gray market. They explained that some of this money is used to buy goods from abroad.  

  

It is true that the value of money smuggled through the bank card route is small compared to what flows through the overall economy, but it shows the size of the demand for the dollar in Iraq.  

  

In response to the Iraqis resorting to this method, the Central Bank of Iraq imposed restrictions on withdrawals from bank cards, to become $ 250 per day for each card, which makes the process of withdrawing the total cash in one card taking a long time.  

  

"Profitable Opportunities"!  

  

In turn, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, said: "The greater the difference between the official exchange rate and the exchange rate in the market, some parties find profitable arbitrage opportunities." He added that the move to impose a daily withdrawal limit would put an end to these opportunities.  

  

Dr. Abd al-Rahman al-Mashhadani, a professor of international economic relations at the Iraqi University, said that the central bank's move succeeded in reducing the flow of dollars abroad through this route, but it did not succeed in preventing it completely. "Currency traders are still doing it," he said. "Money is still coming out of the country."  

  

Al-Mashhadani explained that currency dealers, in one of the tricks used to bypass the restrictions, bought a large group of airline tickets to obtain dollars. Iraqis are allowed to convert dinars into dollars in private banks and money changers to cover travel expenses, as long as they have airline tickets showing that they plan to travel outside the country.  

  

It is noteworthy that the Central Bank of Iraq raised the amount of money transferred to cover travel expenses, from $5,000 to $7,000 last February, but reduced the amount to only $2,000 in March. To curb the airline ticket buying spree.  

  

The exchange rate in the gray market has declined to about 1,410 dinars per dollar in recent weeks, compared to the official exchange rate of 1,320 dinars now. Wire transfers from Iraqi banks have also increased, indicating that Iraqis are adapting to the stricter rules.  

  

In the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, overlooking the Gulf, container unloading almost stopped last April, because many importers, accustomed to lax application of import rules, lacked the documents necessary to release their dollar-bought goods from customs, according to Hamid Abu Fatima, an agent. Customs clearance at the port.  

  

"The merchants did not have the proper documents, [which] led to the accumulation of cargo containers in the port and the workers almost stopped," Abu Fatima said. He added that the subsidies were eased recently after importers adapted to the new rules, and officials eased enforcement of the rules.  

[yota691]

 

Iraqis Fly to Nearby Countries to Get Dollars as U.S. Cracks Down on Money LaunderingThe cash-driven economy relies heavily on the greenback for transactions

 

By David S. Cloud

 

 

 and Ghassan Adnan

May 8, 2023 9:14 am ET

 

Men exchange U.S. dollars at a market in central Baghdad. PHOTO: HADI MIZBAN/ASSOCIATED PRESS

BAGHDAD—As the U.S. tries to stop the illegal flow of dollars into Iran, local money traders next door in Iraq are finding new ways to get hold of greenbacks as the local supply dries up: They are flying to nearby countries with stacks of bank cards to withdraw hard cash.

At least 24 Iraqis carrying around 1,200 bank cards loaded with more than $5 million have been arrested in the last two months at airports and border crossings while attempting to leave the country, according to Aladdin Al Qaisi, a spokesman for the Borders Crossings Authority. On Friday, authorities detained another Iraqi traveler trying to sneak out 300 bank cards in cigarette packs at the international airport in the central Iraqi city of Najaf. 

 

Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

 

Continue reading your article with
a WSJ subscription

[yota691]

A traveler was arrested in possession of 65 visa cards prepared for smuggling at Baghdad airport

• Time: 05/18/2023 08:09:08
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• Read: 1,534 times

  

{Local: Al Furat News} The Border Ports Authority announced the arrest of an Iraqi traveler in possession of 65 (international electronic) cards prepared for smuggling at the Baghdad International Airport port.

And the authority stated in a statement, that "the Baghdad International Airport Port Directorate, in cooperation with the Civil Customs Center and the Customs Police, managed, through intensified inspection and audit procedures for travelers and goods, to arrest an Iraqi traveler who was caught in possession of 65 (international electronic) cards hidden inside a bag that was filled with amounts." financially for the purpose of smuggling hard currency money out of the country by withdrawing those amounts in the countries to which he intends to travel. 

And she added, "a committee was formed and a ban on the arrest of fundamentalists was organized and the accused and the cards were referred to the Baghdad International Airport police station to present the matter before the eyes of the competent investigating judge to take appropriate legal measures." 

[yota691]

4 foreign travelers were seized at Najaf airport with half a million dollars in their possession

2023.06.26 - 22:51

 

Baghdad - people  

The Ministry of the Interior announced, on Monday, the arrest of 4 passengers with unauthorized possession of half a million dollars at Najaf Airport.  

  

  

The ministry said in a statement, which “NAS” received a copy of, (June 26, 2023), “The detachments of the Customs Police Station, Najaf Airport, affiliated to the Customs Police Directorate of the Fifth Region, were able to arrest (3) foreign travelers, and one Iraqi traveler, in possession of a sum of money of half a million. US dollars, in violation of the instructions of the Central Bank of Iraq and not authorized by the customs authorities.  

  

And she added, "Where a fundamental arrest report was organized and the necessary legal measures were taken against them."  

[gregp]

That’s a stack of cash. 

[horsesoldier]

Bunch O Dummies 

[3n1]

On 5/9/2023 at 7:25 AM, yota691 said:

They are flying to nearby countries with stacks of bank cards to withdraw hard cash.

 

lets see here ... traders flying out of iraq with bank cards getting usd then coming back into iraq to exchange on the street for profit .... cmon cbi make the iqd powerful and stop all the shenanigans 

[horsesoldier]

3 hours ago, 3n1 said:

 

lets see here ... traders flying out of iraq with bank cards getting usd then coming back into iraq to exchange on the street for profit .... cmon cbi make the iqd powerful and stop all the shenanigans 

We have to have a 12 Story Crisis and a Sky is Falling scenario first...you should know that by now 🤣

[screwball]

3 hours ago, 3n1 said:

 

lets see here ... traders flying out of iraq with bank cards getting usd then coming back into iraq to exchange on the street for profit .... cmon cbi make the iqd powerful and stop all the shenanigans 

Yep all this Shite will continue until they change the rate and make the dinar the currency of choice, almighty and powerful