From a lofty skyscraper, the wife of an alleged Bosnian drug lord frequently shared videos via her TikTok account. This rented apartment, a haven of the rich, begs the question: who isn't lured by luxury?
However, these videos provided just enough evidence for journalists to determine its location. Geo-location experts confirmed it: the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It was discovered that Candido Nsue Okomo, ex-chief of Equatorial Guinea's national oil company and facing massive money laundering charges, owns this multi-million-dollar apartment.
The tenant has been identified as Dženis Kadrić, a notorious Bosnian drug lord. Whether Kadrić and Okomo know each other is unknown, but their connection symbolizes modern Dubai's secrecy and liberal policies that have attracted individuals under global scrutiny.
Just a stone's throw away in the Burj Lake Hotel is an apartment owned by the British national of Iraqi descent, Shwan Mohammed Almulla. In 2021, the US convicted him for bribing officials in Iraq for contracts worth millions of dollars,
The Palm Jumeirah's artificial island is famed for its stunning architecture. Here resides Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, also known as 'Chubby Jo,' who is on the European Union's most-wanted list for serious narcotics trafficking charges.
In the nearby Palm Tower, Brazilian Danilo Santana Gouvêia luxuriates in a flat. Accused of laundering millions through a Bitcoin scheme, he now lives as a musician in Dubai, often sharing photos of his lavish home on Instagram.
Source: aajtak
The jungles of steel and concrete in Dubai house the elite with earnings that raise questions back home. From businessmen to drug lords, these 'dream homes' shelter a mix of society's alleged elite, including names notorious for money laundering and organized crime.
This powerful list includes wealthy Indians and Pakistanis, securing their piece of Dubai's luxe locales with billions earned possibly beyond their national borders.
Unveiling Dubai's 'Dirty Money'
International journalists have exposed the 'dirty money' investments in Dubai's property hotbed.
According to PTI, the leaked data peels back the layers on Dubai's real estate market rulers. Journalists have spent six months dissecting investments from 2020 to 2022, revealing a compelling report.
Pakistani paper Dawn reports the non-profit C4ADS, based in Washington DC, obtained the data. Researching international crimes and conflicts, it uncovered extensive insights into Dubai's secretive investments.
Secret Data of 'Dubai Unlocked'
Subsequently, this data was shared with Norway's financial institution E24 and OCCRP, unveiling the investigative efforts of various global media outlets. The 'Dubai Unlocked' report encompassing 58 countries and 74 partners has since emerged.
Dubai Apartments of Pakistani Elite
Though Pakistan may struggle with debt, the truth of its wealth stands tall in Dubai. Despite borrowing from global entities, Pakistanis own between 17,000 to 22,000 properties in Dubai, with a conservative estimate of their value reaching over 10 billion US dollars. With recent market boosts, their current value soars to 12.5 billion US dollars.
Dawn lists notable names such as President Asif Ali Zardari's children, politicians, and public figures who, directly or through kin, have invested heavily in Dubai.
The properties, varying from studio apartments to luxury villas, indicate a penchant for Dubai's most affluent areas—Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, and Al Barsha. Yet, as Dawn clarifies, inclusion in this list doesn't imply financial wrongdoing or tax evasion.
How Many Properties Are in Indian Names?
Dawn's insights reveal Indians lead the charts in Dubai property ownership. Data leaks suggest over 35,000 properties are under 29,700 Indian names valued at a staggering 17 billion US dollars in 2022.
Source: aajtak
Former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his wife reportedly have a three-bedroom flat in Dubai's Burj Vista Tower, among several other Pakistani-owned properties accommodating lavish lifestyles.
