Tehran court lifts curtain on widespread corruption at bankrupted lender
An Iranian court has shed further light on the extent of fraud at a bankrupt credit and financial institution, with former officials and local celebrities now dragged in.
Proceedings against the key suspects involved in one of the biggest ever fraud cases in Iran’s history have disclosed fresh details to the public. “Footprints of some celebrities and officials in Samen al-Hojaj case” read the Reformist Shargh daily’s July 18 front page. Samen al-Hojaj is one among several Iranian credit and financial institutions (CFIs) that have closed down due to bankruptcy in the past few years, triggering widespread protests.
Samen al-Hojaj was reportedly founded in 2001 with an initial capital of 63 million rials ($1,444). But in a matter of 14 years, deposits rose to an eye-catching 123 trillion rials ($2.82 billion). Starting from the northeastern city of Sabzevar, the credit and financial institution spread its reach by setting up 489 branches across the country during that same period.
