WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Five people were indicted for fraud conspiracy involving exports of U.S. parts to Iran that wound up in bombs in Iraq, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday.
The Justice Department said the five individuals and four of their companies were accused of participating in a conspiracy that allegedly involved thousands of radio frequency modules being illegally exported from the United States to Iran. At least 16 of the illegally shipped modules later were found in unexploded improvised explosive devices in Iraq.
The indictment also alleges a fraud conspiracy involving the illegal export of military antennas to Singapore from Hong Kong, the department said in a release.
Officials in Singapore Monday arrested Wong Yuh Lan, Lim Yong Nam, Lim Kow Seng and Hia Soo Gan Benson, all citizens of Singapore, in a U.S. request for extradition, the Justice Department said. The remaining defendant, Hossein Larijani, is a citizen and resident of Iran still at large.
"This case underscores the continuing threat posed by Iranian procurement networks seeking to obtain U.S. technology through fraud and the importance of safeguarding that technology," Assistant Attorney General Lisa Monaco said.
FBI Executive Assistant Director Mark Giuliano said the multiyear investigation points out that "acquiring property by deceit has ramifications that resonate beyond the bottom line and affects our national security and the safety of Americans worldwide."
