Iraq anti-corruption body says 13 detained over land and loan fraud worth 4 billion dinars

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Commission of Integrity said it dismantled a network in Kadhimiya that issued fake land documents to out-of-province applicants, falsified bank loans and diverted government payments. The commission said 13 people employed at the municipality, civil status, passport and residency directorates were taken into custody. The investigation, launched on a tip and led by the Kadhimiya investigation office, identified 243 loan transactions routed to 12 state banks using forged residency confirmations and civil-status records. According to the commission, the scheme also covered 13 land plots given to individuals with no legitimate claim, fraudulent aid payments and fake visas issued to foreign countries under the label "Barcode. Examiners recovered more than 1,000 forged documents, with manipulated real estate and loan values exceeding 4 billion Iraqi dinars, the commission said. A judge at the Kadhimiya investigation court ordered precautionary measures on the properties, froze ownership transfers and approved the suspects' arrest. The commission said the investigation would continue until all legal procedures are completed. No further details were immediately available.