Seyed Sajjad Shahidian, Conspiracy to Violate U.S. Sanctions, Minnesota 2020
Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Helping Iranians Circumvent U.S. Sanctions
In a major blow to those evading U.S. sanctions, Seyed Sajjad Shahidian, 33, founder and CEO of Payment24, a Tehran-based financial services firm, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against and to defraud the United States before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to court documents, Payment24 helped Iranian citizens conduct prohibited financial transactions with businesses based in the United States, including the unlawful purchase and exportation of computer software, software licenses, and computer servers from United States companies.
The company's website claimed to have brought in millions of dollars of foreign currency into Iran and charged a fee to circumvent 'American sanctions.'
Shahidian, a citizen of Iran, was arrested in London, England on November 11, 2018, and extradited to the United States on May 15, 2020. His initial appearance in the District of Minnesota took place on May 18, 2020.
As part of the plea agreement, Shahidian admitted to making material misrepresentations and omissions to United States-based businesses regarding the destination of the United States-origin goods. He also admitted to opening hundreds of PayPal accounts on behalf of his PAYMENT24 customers who resided in Iran and to unlawfully bringing millions of U.S. dollars into the economy of Iran.
This case marks a significant victory for U.S. authorities in their efforts to enforce U.S. sanctions against Iran. The guilty plea is a result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Division of the FBI, with substantial assistance provided by law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom, including the National Crime Agency and the London Metropolitan Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Rank and Charles J. Kovats of the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
SEYED SAJJAD SHAHIDIAN, a/k/a 'Soheil Shahidi,' 33
Criminal Charges: One count of conspiracy to commit offenses against and to defraud the United States
City and State: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Arrest Date: November 11, 2018
Extradition Date: May 15, 2020
Sentence: Pending
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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