Man With $70M Check Busted By German Customs

Berlin, Germany – A man carrying a $70 million check was recently busted by German customs.

Officials working at the Duesseldorf airport found the pricey check in the luggage of a unidentified man who had just arrived from Turkey. According to The Associated Press, the individual was later revealed to be 59-year-old Tahmasb Mazaheri.

Mazaheri was once the central bank chief in Iran. The $70 million check in his possession was reportedly issued by the Bank of Venezuela.

The Examiner reports the man now faces a whopping $1.4 million fine since he failed to declare the money when he entered the country. The check later confiscated by officials.

Authorities currently believe Tahmasb Mazaheri may be involved with some sort of money laundering scheme. Mazaheri is reportedly cooperating with officials as they investigate the $70 million check and its mysterious origins.

Customs officials and Iran’s embassy have yet to comment on the situation as of this writing. Tahmasb Mazaheri has also remained tight-lipped about the situation.

According to The Washington Post, Mazaheri was the chief of the Central Bank of Iran from 2007 until 2008. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly replaced Mazaheri after the two’s differences over policy and inflation could not be worked out.

Mazaheri was known to vocally oppose how the government conducted business. Journalist Mohammad Atrianfar said the removal of the central bank chief allowed the country’s President to essentially do what he wanted.

He explained:

“Mazaheri’s departure clears the path for Ahmadinejad to change the economy the way he wants. Mazaheri, who was much more professional than the president, would delay or alter government plans. Now the president has a free hand.”

It’s currently unknown if the former chief of the Central Bank of Iran will be charged with any crimes for attempting to sneak the $70 million check through German customs. An investigation into the matter is currently underway.