Reports

Despite being sanctioned by the US, UK and EU, Russia's A7 network is expanding its reach in Africa, backed by the Kremlin. CIR's latest investigation suggests A7 is entering a new phase, more directly integrated into the Kremlin's strategic and military operations in Africa, and no longer operating purely as a commercial sanctions evasions network.

A7, led by convicted fraudster Ilan Shor and backed by sanctioned Russian banks, claims to have moved over $86 billion in less than a year. CIR’s investigation details how A7 uses shell companies and promissory notes, a form of trade-based money laundering, to evade Western sanctions. With most of its activity routed through China and new offices opening in Africa, A7 is emerging as a global sanctions-evasion hub.

A CIR investigation suggests that Russian company A7 - co-owned by Moldovan political figure and businessman Ilan Shor and Russian state-owned defence bank Promsvyazbank - has been constructing a system based on both fiat currency and cryptocurrency for the large-scale transfer of money into and out of Russia.