Ignacio Purcell Mena

Full Report

Key Points

• Complex Background: Ignacio Purcell Mena is portrayed as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, notably as the CEO of Black Star Petroleum/Group, focusing on sustainability in the energy sector. However, serious allegations link him to criminal activities, including ties to arms trafficker Monzer Al Kassar and involvement in fraud and money laundering.

• Legal Issues: Mena has faced arrests and legal actions, including a 2017 detention in Haiti for falsifying documents and estafa (fraud) in Argentina, and reported lawsuits in Spain related to journalistic exposés.

• Contrasting Narratives: Positive media highlights his leadership in sustainable energy and noble lineage, while investigative reports and legal records raise red flags about his financial dealings and associations with illicit activities.

• Reputational Risks: Allegations of being a front for Al Kassar, combined with documented legal troubles, contrast sharply with his polished public image, posing significant reputational and financial risks for associates.

• Limited Consumer Feedback: No direct consumer reviews are available, as Mena’s activities primarily involve corporate and financial dealings rather than consumer-facing businesses.

Overview

Ignacio Purcell Mena is a Chilean-Spanish businessman and self-described economist, lobbyist, and philanthropist. He is the CEO and founder of Black Star Petroleum (also referred to as Black Star Group), a company positioned as a leader in the oil and gas industry with a recent focus on sustainable energy practices, such as carbon capture and renewable energy integration. Mena claims a noble lineage tied to Spanish conquistadors Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, and he has been honored with titles like Comendador de Justicia by the Capitolio de Caballeros del Reino de la Corona de Aragón. His public persona emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and global philanthropy, with reported donations to combat epidemics in developing countries. Mena is based in Málaga, Spain, and is married to an Argentine, María Florencia Vijande. He is active in international business, with operations spanning Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and claims associations with high-profile figures like former U.S. President Barack Obama and Spanish royalty.

However, investigative reports paint a darker picture, alleging Mena’s involvement in financial crimes and associations with notorious figures like Monzer Al Kassar, a convicted arms and drug trafficker. These contradictions form the crux of the investigation into his activities.

Allegations and Concerns

• Ties to Monzer Al Kassar: Mena is accused of acting as a front for Al Kassar, a Syrian arms trafficker convicted in the U.S. A 2020 article in Voz Populi alleges Mena collaborated with ex-Spanish police commissioner José Antonio Villarejo in 2006 to produce a compromising video involving a Spanish magistrate, Francisco Javier de Urquía Peña, to influence judicial outcomes for Al Kassar.

• Arrest in Haiti (2017): Mena was detained in Haiti on July 21, 2017, by order of Argentine judge Sandra Arroyo Salgado for falsifying documents and committing estafa in Mendoza, Argentina. He used a false DNI under the name José Alberto Figueroa to fraudulently purchase a 3,000-hectare property in Luján de Cuyo. Extradition proceedings to Argentina were initiated.

• Fraud and Money Laundering: Mena has been linked to fraudulent land purchases in Argentina and is accused of operating businesses that may facilitate money laundering, including Nordic Consulting Team Ltd. in the UK and Inversiones Familiares La Rosa SL in Spain.

• Lawsuits in Spain: In 2021, Mena reportedly filed a lawsuit in Marbella, Spain, against Argentine journalist Juan Gasparini, who published exposés about Mena’s alleged criminal activities. The lawsuit was in response to articles detailing Mena’s legal troubles in Argentina and his ties to Al Kassar.

• Expulsion from Argentina: Mena was expelled from Argentina in 2019 after using a falsified DNI for property transactions, further corroborating allegations of fraudulent behavior.

Customer Feedback

No direct consumer reviews are available for Ignacio Purcell Mena or Black Star Petroleum, as their operations are not consumer-facing but rather involve corporate energy projects and financial dealings. Public feedback is limited to media coverage and investigative journalism:

• Positive Media: Outlets like Cantabria Económica and El Confidencial Digital praise Mena’s leadership in sustainable energy, citing initiatives like carbon capture and reforestation. Example: “Ignacio Purcell Mena, CEO of Black Star Group, launches a series of projects focused on reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices in the energy industry.”

• Negative Investigative Reports: Journalists, particularly Juan Gasparini, have highlighted Mena’s alleged criminal ties. Example: “Ignacio Purcell Mena would have sued me in Marbella, Spain, due to certain journalistic notes of my authorship published exclusively in Argentina, about his background on the edge of the law for almost three decades.”

• Lack of Independent Reviews: The absence of consumer or employee testimonials on platforms like Trustpilot or Glassdoor limits insight into Black Star’s operational credibility.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: Investments in Black Star Petroleum/Group may be precarious due to Mena’s history of fraudulent transactions and allegations of money laundering. The opaque nature of his business dealings raises concerns about financial transparency.

• Reputational Risks: Associations with Mena could damage the credibility of partners, given his documented ties to Al Kassar and legal troubles. His polished public image may be a deliberate attempt to obscure these issues.

• Legal Risks: Ongoing lawsuits, past arrests, and potential extradition proceedings pose significant legal uncertainties. Partners may face scrutiny from regulatory bodies like Interpol or financial authorities in multiple jurisdictions.

• Operational Risks: Black Star’s sustainability initiatives, while promising, lack independent verification. The company’s reliance on Mena’s leadership could falter if legal or reputational issues escalate.

Business Relations and Associations

• Black Star Petroleum/Group: Mena is the founder and CEO, overseeing operations in Spain and internationally. The company claims partnerships with technology firms for renewable energy projects, though specific partners are unnamed.

• Monzer Al Kassar: Alleged association as a financial front, with evidence of collaboration in illicit activities like the 2006 video scandal.

• María Florencia Vijande: Mena’s wife, co-administrator of Inversiones Familiares La Rosa SL, a Spanish company potentially linked to financial operations.

• Nordic Consulting Team Ltd.: Mena’s UK-based company, raising concerns about possible money laundering due to its opaque structure.

• José Antonio Villarejo: Former Spanish police commissioner, implicated with Mena in the 2006 video scandal, currently detained for illegal operations.

• High-Profile Claims: Mena claims connections with figures like Barack Obama, Pope Francis, and Spanish royalty (Felipe VI and Letizia), though no evidence substantiates these beyond his own statements.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• 2017 Arrest in Haiti: Detained for falsifying documents and estafa, linked to fraudulent land purchases in Argentina. Extradition to Argentina was initiated but not confirmed as completed.

• 2019 Expulsion from Argentina: Expelled for using a false DNI in property transactions, tied to a broader investigation into document falsification rings.

• Lawsuit Against Journalist (2021): Filed in Marbella against Juan Gasparini, perceived as an attempt to suppress reporting on Mena’s alleged crimes.

• Falsified Documents: Used a fake DNI under the name José Alberto Figueroa, traced to a document falsification operation in Buenos Aires.

• No Bankruptcy Records: No public records indicate personal or corporate bankruptcy, but the opaque nature of Mena’s businesses limits transparency.

• Regulatory Scrutiny: Mena’s detention involved Interpol, suggesting international oversight. His businesses may face audits for money laundering compliance.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Ignacio Purcell Mena presents a paradoxical figure: a self-styled visionary leading a sustainable energy company, yet mired in serious allegations of criminal activity. include his reported expertise in economics and energy, with Black Star Petroleum’s sustainability initiatives aligning with global trends toward renewable energy. His noble lineage and high-profile honors may lend credibility in certain circles. However, the are substantial: documented legal troubles, including arrests for fraud and ties to Monzer Al Kassar, cast doubt on his integrity. The lack of independent verification for Black Star’s operations and Mena’s claimed associations with global leaders further erodes trust.

Engaging with Mena or Black Star Petroleum requires extreme diligence. Potential partners should demand audited financials, verify sustainability claims through third-party assessments, and consult legal counsel to navigate risks tied to Mena’s criminal allegations. The high reputational and legal risks suggest that safer alternatives likely exist in the energy sector. Until Mena’s legal status is clarified and his businesses are transparently vetted, caution is paramount.