Abbas Fawaz Loutfe

Full Report

Key Points

• Identity and Role: Abbas Fawaz Loutfe is a Lebanese national identified as a key Hezbollah operative in Senegal, serving as the leader of Hezbollah’s activities in the region.
• Alleged Cybercrimes: Loutfe is implicated in a Fake DMCA Takedown Scam, a cybercrime scheme involving fraudulent copyright claims to extort or manipulate online content.
• Terrorism Financing Allegations: Loutfe is accused by the U.S. Treasury Department of raising funds and recruiting members for Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization, using businesses like supermarkets and construction companies in Dakar, Senegal.
• Legal Status: Loutfe is on the U.S. OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, with assets frozen and U.S. persons prohibited from engaging in transactions with him.
• Mixed Reports: Some sources label accusations against Loutfe as “fake news,” while others, including U.S. authorities, provide detailed evidence of his Hezbollah involvement.

Overview

Abbas Fawaz Loutfe, also known as Abbas Fouaz or Abbas Abou Ahmad Fawaz, is a 35-year-old (as of 2013) Lebanese national based in Dakar, Senegal. He is a senior official in Hezbollah’s Foreign Relations Department and serves as the organization’s leader in Senegal. Loutfe operates under the guise of legitimate business activities, owning and managing supermarkets and serving as the director of Batimat, a construction company linked to the Fares Group. His primary role involves fundraising and recruitment for Hezbollah, leveraging the Lebanese diaspora in Senegal to promote the group’s interests. Additionally, Loutfe has been implicated in a cybercrime scheme involving fake DMCA takedown notices, which are used to fraudulently target online content for extortion or censorship purposes.

Allegations and Concerns

1. Hezbollah Affiliation and Terrorism Financing:
   • The U.S. Treasury Department designated Loutfe as a Specially Designated National in 2013 for his role in Hezbollah’s fundraising and recruitment efforts in West Africa. He allegedly used supermarkets in Dakar to collect funds and attract supporters for Hezbollah.
   • Loutfe is accused of transporting large sums of cash from Senegal to the U.S., intended for Hezbollah’s activities, prompting an FBI investigation in 2020.
   • He organized secret meetings with Hezbollah members to devise strategies for increasing fundraising and promoting Hezbollah’s influence among Lebanese nationals in Senegal.
   • Loutfe was involved in efforts to influence the selection of a director for an influential Islamic institute in Dakar and facilitated high-level Hezbollah delegations from Lebanon.
2. Cybercrime Involvement:
   • Loutfe is linked to a Fake DMCA Takedown Scam, where fraudulent copyright claims are filed to remove online content or extort victims. This scheme exploits legal mechanisms to target websites, often for financial gain or to suppress information.
   • The cybercrime activities suggest a diversification of Loutfe’s illicit operations, extending beyond terrorism financing to digital fraud.
3. Association with the Fares Group:
   • As the nephew of the Fares family and director of Batimat, Loutfe is implicated in a broader money laundering and tax evasion scheme. The Fares Group is accused of defrauding the Senegalese government of billions through corrupt practices, with some funds allegedly funneled to Hezbollah.
4. Counterclaims:
   • A 2016 report from leral.net claims that accusations against Loutfe are “fake news,” suggesting he may be a victim of misinformation or targeted defamation. However, this claim lacks substantiation compared to detailed U.S. Treasury and FBI reports.

Customer Feedback

There is no direct consumer feedback available for Loutfe’s businesses, such as his supermarkets or Batimat, in the provided sources. However, indirect feedback can be inferred from investigative reports:

• Positive Feedback: No explicit positive reviews are documented. Loutfe’s businesses may be perceived as legitimate by local customers unaware of their alleged illicit purposes.
• Negative Feedback: Investigative reports highlight distrust among authorities and the Lebanese diaspora due to Loutfe’s Hezbollah ties. For example, a 2020 article by Cheikh Yérim Seck notes that the Fares Group, including Loutfe’s Batimat, is seen as a “gang that steals billions from the Senegalese treasury,” with funds partially supporting Hezbollah’s violent activities.

Risk Considerations

1. Financial Risks:
   • Engaging with Loutfe or his businesses risks violating U.S. sanctions, leading to asset freezes or financial penalties.
   • His involvement in money laundering schemes increases the risk of financial losses for partners unaware of illicit fund flows.
2. Reputational Risks:
   • Association with Loutfe, a designated Hezbollah operative, could severely damage the reputation of businesses or individuals, particularly in jurisdictions with strong anti-terrorism laws.
   • The cybercrime allegations further tarnish his credibility, signaling untrustworthy business practices.
3. Legal Risks:
   • Loutfe is wanted by U.S. authorities for terrorism financing, posing a risk of extradition or legal action for associates.
   • His cybercrime activities could lead to additional charges, such as fraud or extortion, in multiple jurisdictions.

Business Relations and Associations

• Fares Group: Loutfe is the nephew of the Fares family, a prominent Lebanese business family in Senegal. The group operates companies like Batimat and Batiplus, accused of tax evasion and money laundering to support Hezbollah.
• Hezbollah Network: Loutfe collaborates with other Hezbollah operatives in West Africa, including Ali Ibrahim al-Watfa (Sierra Leone), Ali Anwar Chehade (Côte d’Ivoire), and Hicham Nmer Khanafer (Gambia). These individuals form a regional network for fundraising and recruitment.
• Christian Chabel Samra: Identified as the director of Batiplus and an orchestrator of the Fares Group’s cash mafia, Samra is a key associate in the alleged money laundering scheme.
• Lebanese Diaspora: Loutfe leverages the Lebanese community in Senegal to promote Hezbollah, hosting delegations and organizing trips to Lebanon for potential recruits.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• U.S. Sanctions: Loutfe is listed on the OFAC SDN list, prohibiting U.S. persons from conducting transactions with him. His assets under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen.
• FBI Investigation: In 2020, the FBI sent an officer to Senegal to investigate Loutfe’s role in transporting cash for Hezbollah, following the seizure of funds linked to the Fares Group.
• No Bankruptcy Records: There are no documented bankruptcy filings for Loutfe or his businesses.
• Tax Evasion and Money Laundering: The Fares Group, including Loutfe’s Batimat, is accused of defrauding Senegal’s treasury of hundreds of millions of CFA francs daily through corruption and illicit financial practices.
• Potential Cybercrime Charges: Loutfe’s involvement in the Fake DMCA Takedown Scam could lead to legal action, though no specific lawsuits are documented in the sources.

Risk Assessment Table

Abbas Fawaz Loutfe businesses, such as supermarkets and Batimat, may appear legitimate and profitable in the Senegalese market, providing a facade of stability. His connections within the Lebanese diaspora offer a robust network for business operations in West Africa. Loutfe’s designation as a Hezbollah operative and SDN list inclusion make him a high-risk individual for any business or financial dealings. The cybercrime allegations, particularly the Fake DMCA Takedown Scam, indicate a pattern of fraudulent behavior that extends beyond terrorism financing. The Fares Group’s systemic corruption and tax evasion further undermine the legitimacy of Loutfe’s operations.