An illicit gambling network linked to Iran has reportedly laundered billions of dollars through a Dubai-based operation, according to an investigation that uncovered one of the world’s largest sanctions-evasion schemes. The network, associated with over 2,000 Persian-language gambling websites, is believed to channel tens of millions of dollars to Iran, circumventing international restrictions.
Central to the operation is Shelbit, an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange managed by an Iranian expatriate from an office situated above a budget hotel in Dubai. The exchange plays a key role in moving funds within a broader $4 billion sanctions-busting system allegedly connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Sources indicate that Shelbit facilitates the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars to cryptocurrency wallets tied to the IRGC. Financial investigator Rich Sanders described the network as clearly an IRGC operation, highlighting the sophisticated methods used to disguise illicit financial flows.
The gambling network is publicly fronted by two Iranian social media influencers with reported ties to the country’s establishment. Sasha Sobhani, who resides in an upscale villa in Madrid, is the son of a former senior Iranian diplomat who has distanced himself from his son’s activities, citing them as “un-Islamic.” Sobhani maintains a significant online presence, with 3.7 million Instagram followers, where he promotes both his musical career and gambling websites. Social media posts by his Spanish girlfriend reveal a lavish lifestyle, including a pink Rolls-Royce gifted for her 18th birthday.
The second figure, Pooyan Mokhtari, is an Iranian singer and influencer who until recently operated out of luxury hotels in Hong Kong. Previously expelled from Dubai for allegedly financing Iranian terrorist groups, Mokhtari has maintained public support for Iranian leadership. In late April, he expressed intentions to attend the funeral of Iran's former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Social media imagery from October 2022 shows Sobhani and Mokhtari together on a private jet, with Mokhtari captioning the photo, “My bro.”
Despite the strict prohibition of gambling under Iranian law, which prescribes lashes and imprisonment as penalties, the network reportedly exploits Iran’s government-controlled online payment system to process transactions. This access suggests possible complicity or at least significant vulnerabilities in the country’s financial controls.
Authorities in Dubai have taken some action, with Mokhtari’s expulsion pointing to regional efforts to disrupt the network’s operations. However, the full scale of the illicit gambling and money-laundering activities, as well as the extent of official involvement, remains under investigation.