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$100M Bank Fraud, Sanctions Pressure, and Casablanca Cell
Illicit Edge - Edition for July 7, 2026
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Greetings! It’s July 7, and we’re tracking today’s top stories: Orange County real estate investor pleads not guilty in $100 million bank fraud case, Lawmakers to Press Bessent on Russia Sanctions Bill on Sidelines of NATO Summit, Morocco prevents attacks by cell loyal to Islamic State in Sahel, U.S. revokes Iran oil waivers after attacks in Strait of Hormuz, and much more…
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🎯 FEATURED STORY
Orange County real estate investor pleads not guilty in $100 million bank fraud case. Mahender Makhijani allegedly employed an array of shell companies and straw men to sign documents on his behalf, and to stand in for him as operators of his companies. Los Angeles Times
🔥 TOP STORIES
Lawmakers to Press Bessent on Russia Sanctions Bill on Sidelines of NATO Summit The Wall Street Journal
Morocco prevents attacks by cell loyal to Islamic State in Sahel Reuters
U.S. revokes Iran oil waivers after attacks in Strait of Hormuz Axios
Trump offers to lift sanctions on Turkey that could lead to F-35 jet sales USA Today
The covert U.S.-China battle to make chatbots leak their secrets The Washington Post
Suspected Chinese espionage group used a Roundcube exploit chain to burrow into universities CyberScoop
RedWing MaaS Packages Android Bank Fraud as a Telegram Rental Service The Hacker News
EUR 1 million seized during ongoing investigation into money laundering network Eurojust
South Korea develops crypto-specific procedures for asset seizures and liquidation The Block
Attackers vote themselves $20 million in BONK cryptocurrency The Record
Mexico investigating possible U.S. violation in 2024 capture of infamous cartel leader: “Someone lied” CBS News
Bishnoi Gangsters jailed in India smuggled drugs, orchestrated crimes in California, feds charge Los Angeles Times
Estonia Won the War on Fentanyl. What Came Next Was Even Worse. The New York Times
IN THE NEWS
🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA
Congressional committee on China asks Wizards and Capitals owner to cut ties with Alibaba AP
China's Alibaba bans Anthropic AI for employees after 'distillation attack' accusation CNBC
BRICS alternatives to dollar no longer a 'fantasy,' economist O'Neill says Reuters
Half a million Russians go bankrupt as Putin risks banking crisis The Telegraph
Russia Seizes Assets of Major Marine Fuel Supplier Transbunker The Moscow Times
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🚀 SANCTIONS & TERROR
Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body, but disarmament still a question AFP
Over 100 economists ask US to lift sanctions on Venezuela to ease the impact of the earthquakes El País
Netherlands looks to move past Nexperia dispute with China Reuters
EU businessman with history of FSB collaboration supplied Lithuanian lubricants to Russia’s defense industry after invasion of Ukraine The Insider
Explosion near Macron’s Damascus hotel as French president meets Syrian counterpart CNN
Belgian police arrest six minors Brussels Signal
💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME
Americans deserve to know how far Bank of America's de-banking went New York Post
Italian businessman questioned over bombing at investigative reporter’s home The Guardian
Loot and the law: Can Iraq's anti-corruption crackdown succeed? The New Arab
Ukraine says woman wanted in Monaco bombing found dead Associated Press
Shocking undercover raid reveals secret workings of California's multi-million dollar welfare fraud New York Post
Lawyer for Columbia University's Jewish students netted $6.4M payday while preying on own clients: lawsuit New York Post
Ex-NCAA hoops player Kerr Kriisa indicted on alleged $2.2M fraud scam ESPN
🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER
Big EU banks must set out AI risk plan, top ECB official Politico
The first known ‘agentic ransomware’ has arrived Fortune
Traders Sue Polymarket Over 'No' Ruling on Strategy Bitcoin Sale Decrypt
President Trump's strategic bitcoin reserve hits a legal and jurisdictional snag The Block
Nigel Farage failed to declare funding from crypto gambling figure convicted of fraud The Block
Phishing poses as big-brand job interview to steal Google accounts BleepingComputer
🚚 TRAFFICKING
Grandmother caught smuggling cocaine in plantain peels The Times
Drug smuggling caused deadly Sri Lanka prison riot Reuters
Texas border officials seize a whopping $1.1 million worth of cocaine in a single day New York Post
Roger is jollier than ever: Trump’s policies are making Somali piracy great again The Insider
Japan police rearrest man linked to Asian crime network Nikkei Asia
“Character is power.” —Booker T. Washington
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