Ex-Iran bank head busted with $70 million check (Venezuela related)

[naaman fletcher]

http://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-iran-bank-head-busted-with-70-million-check/

BERLIN (AP) — The German newspaper Bild am Sonntag reports that a man caught last month trying to enter Germany with a check worth about $70 million was Iran’s former central bank chief.

The weekly reports that customs officials at Duesseldorf airport found the check in Tahmasb Mazaheri’s luggage Jan. 21 upon his arrival from Turkey.

German customs had issued a statement Friday saying a check for 300 million Venezuelan Bolivars issued by the Bank of Venezuela was found on an unnamed 59-year-old man.

[dballance]

1. Why Wouldn't He Use a Wire Transfer?

Won't they be able to trace where the check was deposited so there will still be a paper trail. Or is european banking vastly different than US banking and the check won't be able to be traced?

[naaman fletcher]

2. I think wire's end up going through The FED or EU instituions

I think a more important question is who in Germany wants Venezuelan bolivars?

Presumably, he was going to pay for something for Iran with Bolivars, but who would want them? It would have to be a german firm with an actual need for bolivars. there can't be many.

[flamingdem]

3. How lame, he could have just put it in his pants pocket

amateur!