Dubai’s Golden Sands

Credit: Edin Pasovic Published: June 12, 2018

Dubai has transformed itself into an extravagant metropolis where the police drive Lamborghinis and edible gold ice cream costs US $800 a scoop.

But this success story is inextricably linked with the globalization of organized crime and corruption.

One of the main avenues is the emirate's abundant luxurious real estate — which, until now, could be purchased in secrecy.

Now a leaked database of property and residency data pierces the veil to reveal the names of many of the world's wealthy people who have invested millions in Dubai's golden sands.

The data was compiled by assorted professionals, obtained by the non-profit group C4ADS, and provided to OCCRP.

This story is part of the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium, a collaboration by OCCRP and Transparency International.

Stories

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The Klepto Hills

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Nigerian Oil and Dubai Land

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Profiles

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In March 2011, investigators in Kyrgyzstan arrested a man in the outskirts of the capital Bishkek. At his apartment they found $20,000 in cash, a diverse spectrum of weapons, and 2.5 kilos of drugs, including one package neatly labeled “To my brother Kamchy.”

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Vasily Khristoforov

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Guerman Goutorov

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Hossein Pournaghshband

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Kambiz Mahmoud Rostamian

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Mohamed Tajideen

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Othman El Ballouti

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Sami Bebawi

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Suleiman Marouf

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Adnan Khamis Abuzanat

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The Properties

The following persons of interest appear in a private database compiled by real estate and property professionals, provided to C4ADS, and shared with OCCRP. The UAE real estate data — which appears to mostly represent ownership but also leasing of properties — is believed to have been generated between 2014 and 2016. The data is assessed as credible, but it does not constitute evidence of the same quality as an official property deed. Though most of the individuals in the database didn’t respond to requests for comment, the names have been verified using addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and interviews. Their inclusion on the list does not, in itself, imply any wrongdoing.

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