Although he would later be accused by prosecutors of targeting high-profile victims including a U.S. law firm, a foreign bank and a professional soccer club in Britain, Abbas never appeared to keep a low profile. The 40-year-old shared pictures and videos of his life in Dubai with his more than 2 million Instagram followers, according to the Associated Press, showing off luxury cars, designer clothes and trips on a private jet. His account has since been deactivated.
Abbas was extradited to the United States from the United Arab Emirates following his arrest in Dubai in June 2020 and has remained in U.S. custody ever since. Don Alway, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, described him in a statement as “one of the most prolific money launderers in the world.”
As part of a plea deal last year, he admitted to conspiracy to engage in money laundering in the full knowledge that the money was obtained illegally.
In one case,…
