Iran’s cryptocurrency market has been rocked by a high-level fraud scandal involving intelligence officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In an anti-corruption probe that took an unexpected turn, IRGC intelligence officials reportedly embezzled $21 million worth of digital assets, inflicting significant financial losses on thousands of investors and raising serious concerns about regulatory integrity in the country.
At the heart of the scandal is Sina Estavi, CEO of crypto platform Cryptoland, who was arrested in 2021 on charges of “disrupting the economic system.” What began as an investigation into financial misconduct soon turned into an elaborate scheme, with investigators themselves becoming criminals.
Just a day after Estavi’s arrest, six billion BRG tokens were transferred from his wallet before the public became aware of the fraud. IRGC officials then allegedly sold the stolen assets for personal profit. Blockchain analysis later revealed that over $21 million worth of BRG tokens had moved through wallets controlled by IRGC intelligence officers.
Corrupt Investigators Amass Millions
Two key figures behind the scheme were Mehdi Haji Pour and Mehdi Badi, both senior investigators within the IRGC’s economic intelligence unit. Before his involvement in the illicit operation, Haji Pour’s assets were reportedly worth no more than $40,000. However, within just four months, his wealth skyrocketed to $14.2 million, enabling him to purchase gold, real estate, and luxury cars with the stolen funds.
The corruption extended beyond these two officials. Four additional IRGC members were implicated in the money-laundering operation, including Majid Jahan Parto and Majid Tabatabai, who helped disguise the transactions. Meanwhile, other operatives allegedly forged documents to legitimize the illicit transfers.
Badi, a key player in the fraud, was reportedly working under the direction of a high-ranking figure known as “Dr. Ebadi,” who had close ties to senior officials, including Ali Akbar Hosseini Mehrab, the former deputy for economic anti-corruption affairs within the IRGC. The scandal highlights the deep-rooted corruption within Iran’s intelligence and governance structures.
The Scheme Unravels
Despite efforts to cover their tracks, the fraudulent operation collapsed in March 2022 when Haji Pour was arrested in a covert operation. In a desperate attempt to extract more money, he allegedly approached Estavi, demanding $10,000 in exchange for help recovering the stolen funds. However, it was merely another scam—Haji Pour had assumed a false identity to carry out yet another fraudulent scheme. Shortly after receiving the payment, he was taken into custody by IRGC intelligence officers.
Following his arrest, Haji Pour was detained at Ward 66, a facility designated for IRGC personnel. However, the details of his sentencing, as well as those of his accomplices, remain undisclosed.
Catastrophic Losses for Investors
The collapse of Cryptoland had devastating financial consequences, with 51,000 traders suffering significant losses. While approximately 24,000 victims were reimbursed a total of $14 million, an estimated 25,000 investors have yet to receive any compensation.
As for Estavi, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, along with hefty fines and a lifetime ban from holding public office. However, in a surprising twist, he managed to escape Iran despite a travel ban and later appeared in a video from France, adding another layer of intrigue to the already complex case.
This scandal underscores the vulnerability of Iran’s cryptocurrency sector to corruption and regulatory failures, leaving investors wary and questioning the country’s ability to oversee its digital asset markets effectively.
