THE LONG ARMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIPS
Israel, Bulgaria Help U.S. Nab Alleged Counterfeiter
11/26/04
It was quite an operation, the way it came together. In December 2002, U.S. Customs agents intercepted $8 million in counterfeit checks in two FedEx packages bound for Israel. Weeks later, the FBI arrested Israeli Rami Rabenu at Chicago’s O’Hare airport in possession of 62 counterfeit checks totaling $4.2 million. He, in turn, led us to his associates, Badi Ahmed Salama and Morad Abu Sliman, and we arrested them next day with the Chicago PD and U.S. Secret Service. A week after that, U.S. Secret Service Agents hit paydirt: they executed a search warrant on a Chicago-area apartment, rented to Muhammed Dacca, that was a veritable “counterfeit check factory.” In fact, all those seized counterfeit checks are alleged to have been printed from this “factory’s” computer.
Charges are filed, and Rabenu bolts. On June 10, 2003, these four men were indicted on charges of bank fraud, possession of counterfeit instruments, and conspiracy. Salama, Sliman, and Dacca all pled guilty. But in July, Rabenu made a run for it, fleeing home confinement in Chicago while out on bond.
You can run, but… A bench warrant and Interpol Red Notice were issued for Rabenu’s arrest—and the FBI’s international network went into action. First our Agents in Tel Aviv worked with Israeli officials on the whereabouts of Rabenu’s family there. Our first lead—that Rabenu was in Greece—was followed up by our Agent in Athens. Then the Israeli police uncovered evidence that Rabenu might be in Bulgaria. After further vetting of the information in the U.S. , the Israeli police were able to verify that he was in Sofia operating a real estate agency under an assumed name. We contacted the Bulgarian National Police, who were delighted to assist. They pulled out all the stops to investigate. They positively identified Rabenu, then arrested him this past August. We’re happy to say that our alleged counterfeiter is currently awaiting extradition to Chicago.
The name of the game is cooperation. We are so appreciative of the help we were given by Israeli and Bulgarian officials in locating this fugitive. In today’s global society, we can only solve crimes and prevent terrorism through state, local, federal, and international law enforcement agencies working together. As Director Mueller said just the other week at Annual Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police: “Most importantly, we must work together both locally and globally…together we are serving as the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. And together we will continue protecting our country and our citizens.”
Links: Full text of Director Mueller’s speech
