A man with a $70M check was caught by customs. The man is said to be Iran's former central bank chief and according to FOX News, he was trying to enter Germany when the check was found in his carry-on luggage. The man now faces a $1.4M fine because he failed to declare the money upon speaking with customs.
"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," FOX News reported. That man was later identified as Tahmasb Mazaheri.
The man with the $70M check is currently being investigated and the check (and its origin) are also being looked in to. Authorities believe that he may have been laundering money, which is a crime. It is unclear whether or not he is in police custody at this time, but it is believed that he is being held pending an investigation. The check was impounded by customs at the time it was found.
It seems obvious that Mazaheri was trying to hide something, given the fact that he didn't declare the money. It is possible that he stole the money and was trying to escape Iran. His flight in to Germany arrived from Turkey, which could be another piece to this puzzle.
The man with the $70M check could wind up in jail depending on what officials uncover.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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