Baghdad: The National Security Service announced on Sunday the successful seizure of over one billion dinars and the dismantling of several currency smuggling networks operating in multiple provinces.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the crackdown was based on precise intelligence and continuous field monitoring, leading to significant arrests and seizures. In Diyala province, authorities dismantled a currency smuggling network that operated between Baghdad and Sulaymaniyah using Mastercard cards. Two individuals were apprehended in possession of a POS device and cards intended for smuggling.

In Kirkuk, a network of six individuals was dismantled, with authorities seizing 251 Mastercard cards and 252 SIM cards used for smuggling foreign currency out of Iraq. The operation highlighted the extent of the illegal activities and the sophisticated methods employed by the smugglers.

Further intelligence efforts in Nineveh led to the arrest of an individual found with $100,000 in counterfeit currency. Meanwhile, in Baghdad, a suspect wanted under Article 456 was captured, holding substantial sums exceeding 1.324 billion Iraqi dinars and $256,000, marking a significant victory for the National Security Service in combating financial crime.

In Basra Governorate, the agency’s detachments thwarted a series of organized financial fraud operations that targeted citizens through fake Facebook pages. These pages promoted the sale of ‘frozen dollars’ at attractive prices, but upon finalizing agreements with victims, counterfeit currency was delivered instead. The operation led to the arrest of four individuals caught in possession of approximately $10,000 in counterfeit currency.

The statement from the National Security Service noted that all accused individuals, along with the seized items, have been referred to the competent authorities for necessary legal action, marking a decisive step in the fight against financial crime in Iraq.