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  • Fake ABC News stories used to sell investment scams, money trail points to Sapphire network

    Fake ABC News stories used to sell investment scams, money trail points to Sapphire network

    Fake ABC News stories used to sell investment scams, money trail points to Sapphire network

    By Patrick Lancier

    TL;DR — On 20 August 2026, ABC News reported that near-perfect clones of its own stories have been used to push investment scams. The money trail, the outlet says, leads to a network known as Sapphire, with headquarters in Israel and call centres in Tel Aviv, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Cyprus, Macedonia and Israel. More than 4,000 Australians were targeted. Five victims were interviewed. Named companies and Shefi Goldberg deny fraud. ABC does not say Trigo XO ran the fake articles or the calls.

    How did fake ABC pages draw Australian victims in?

    Julian Fell’s Story Lab investigation describes pages that copy ABC News so closely that a reader would not, at a glance, see a counterfeit. The copy sells a broker, a trading “course” or an immigration service. The first debit is often about $350. Once that payment clears, a caller takes over. Trades in oil or gold are discussed. Then come the familiar holds: a frozen account, a liquidity problem, fees required to release funds.

    Five Australians sat for interviews. Their bank statements were lined up against leaked internal spreadsheets. Rodger paid about $125,000 in June 2024 on a platform called The FBTC, presented as a Swiss broker, then met the freeze-and-fees script. Toby — a pseudonym — was pulled in by a cloned ABC story in early 2026 and lost more than $500,000 on trades the investigation treats as fictitious. A fake debt followed. Pressure was applied to borrow against his house and his business. Susan, in New South Wales, paid $378.50 to Finterex Capital, a name later added to the MoneySmart watchlist. She was refunded after she disputed the charge. Anna made two payments that match the spreadsheet, through Ambit Capital.

    What money trail did ABC follow to Sapphire?

    ABC traces the cash to Sapphire, active since at least 2021. Headquarters: Israel. Call centres: Tel Aviv, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Cyprus, Macedonia and Israel. More than 4,000 Australians appear as targets. The OCCRP estimates Sapphire extracted “hundreds of millions of dollars”, through investment scams alone.

    The documents did not start at ABC. They were leaked to Swedish public broadcaster SVT (Joachim Dyfvermark) and shared with OCCRP in 2025 under the Scam Empire project. ABC names Qurium (Tord Lundstrom) and amaBhungane (Dewald Van Rensburg) as partners. OCCRP’s FAQ treats two groups as distinct — it does not say they are the same. The Israeli-European operation: more than $247 million paid by nearly 27,000 people in more than 30 countries, January 2021 to December 2024. A.K. Group, Georgia: $35.3 million and more than 6,179 clients, May 2022 to February 2025. Sapphire Tower in Ramat Gan was used until April 2024. Headcount in August 2023: 480. Platforms on the Israeli-European side: 79. OCCRP says the founders and ultimate beneficiaries of that side remain unknown.

    What do the named companies and Goldberg say?

    Toby’s first payment landed at Trigo XO, a Melbourne firm in Toorak. ABC found three “course” sites and a broken checkout. Another Australian paid $365 and received a 35-page leadership PDF. The firm’s accountant reported the matter to AUSTRAC. An AUSTRAC spokesperson declined to comment. After ABC made contact, the firm, its director and its sole shareholder cut ties. The director said the real owner would be in Israel and described a call with Shefi Goldberg.

    ABC’s wording is narrow. The company “appeared to be used to launder payments”. The outlet does not suggest that Trigo XO, or anyone associated with it, was actively defrauding people through fake articles or phone calls. Goldberg said: “We didn’t have any fraudulent activity.” In a statement to Qurium he denied any ownership, control or involvement with Trigo XO Pty Ltd. On Susan: “Sorry but I have no clue about any of this.” GoBe Marketing, where he is a co-director, lists call centres in Israel, Cyprus, South Africa, Spain and the Philippines, and visas for the United States and Canada. MSG Marketing, GoBe’s South African subsidiary, was the subject of a 2021 South African judgment about processing investment-scam payments dressed up as immigration. Goldberg: “I was never involved in processing any of such payments.” USC Market Place, an Israeli company whose director is a GoBe employee, received Australian victim payments in 2024.

    How does the SVT-OCCRP leak sit alongside ABC’s reporting?

    The leak is 1.9 terabytes. SVT received it. OCCRP and about 30 partners worked it in 2025. ABC’s 2026 story is the Australian cut: cloned public-media pages, local victims, local payment vehicles. Smart Pay / Allegiant Holdings Ltd — Cyprus, not the UK namesake — appears as a processor in leaked videos. The email cited is info@smart-pay.biz. Goldberg is the sole shareholder. He first denied owning entities in Cyprus, then said the company was “used for the provision of services”, that he is “merely registered” and “not involved in the management or day-to-day operation”.

    None of that is a court finding in Australia. OCCRP still cannot name the Israeli-European founders. The two groups in the leak are presented as separate. This dispatch does not merge their totals, and it does not add deaths, seizures or verdicts that the cited outlets did not publish.

    What did ABC stop short of claiming?

    The limit is explicit. ABC does not accuse Trigo XO of writing the clones or staffing the phones. It describes an apparent use of the firm to move an entry payment. Goldberg’s denials are on the record, in several registers, and they are part of the story. A watchlist entry for Finterex Capital on MoneySmart is also on the record — after Susan’s $378.50 payment, not before. AUSTRAC is on the record only as having been notified, and as offering no comment.

    What the 20 August investigation does establish is narrower and still specific: fake ABC pages used to sell investments; a Sapphire money trail; more than 4,000 Australians in the files; five interviewed victims whose statements match leaked spreadsheets; named vehicles in Melbourne, Israel and Cyprus; and a set of denials. That is the file. It is not a verdict.

    FAQ

    What did ABC report on 20 August 2026?

    That near-perfect clones of ABC News stories have been used to sell investment scams, and that the money trail leads to the Sapphire network, headquartered in Israel, with call centres in several countries. More than 4,000 Australians were targeted.

    How many Australians were targeted?

    More than 4,000, according to ABC, with names and payments appearing in leaked Sapphire spreadsheets. Five victims were interviewed and their bank records were cross-checked.

    What did Goldberg say?

    He denied fraudulent activity, denied ownership or control of Trigo XO Pty Ltd, said he had “no clue” about Susan’s payment, denied processing the South African immigration-style payments, and said he is merely registered on the Cypriot entity and not involved in day-to-day operations.

    Does ABC say Trigo XO ran the fake articles?

    No. ABC says the company “appeared to be used to launder payments”. It does not suggest that Trigo XO, or anyone associated with it, was actively defrauding people through fake articles or calls.

    What does OCCRP say about the two groups?

    They are treated as distinct. The Israeli-European operation accounts for more than $247 million from nearly 27,000 people. A.K. Group in Georgia accounts for $35.3 million and more than 6,179 clients. OCCRP says it has no proof the groups are the same, and that the Israeli-European founders remain unknown.

    By Patrick Lancier


  • Argentina 2026: when a state decides to defend Israel, antisemitism recedes

    Argentina 2026: when a state decides to defend Israel, antisemitism recedes

    The takeaway. In 2026, Argentina is the first Latin American — and Southern — country to chair the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). In Buenos Aires, Javier Milei said something simple: antisemitism has not receded, it has reorganized. And the IHRA is only as strong as the political will of its members. Israel, he added, is the bastion of the West.

    By Patrick Lancier

    Why Argentina matters now

    This is not another communiqué. It is a country of the South taking the lead of a body created for Holocaust remembrance and the fight against antisemitism. Presidency slogan: “Expanding the frontiers of memory.” The official aim: bring Latin America into the work of education, memory and vigilance.

    Antisemitism did not vanish. It changed costume

    “Global antisemitism has not receded, it has merely reorganized.” Milei’s line at the IHRA plenary in Buenos Aires. October 7, 2023, in his mouth, is not a parenthesis. Then the thesis: “Israel is the bastion of the West. If Israel fell, the West would be next.”

    The sentence that should stick to UN walls

    “The IHRA is only as strong as the political will of its members.” Argentina is not a distant observer. Attack on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, 1992: 29 dead, about 200 wounded. AMIA bombing, 1994: 85 dead, more than 300 wounded.

    What is done, what remains conditional

    IHRA presidency 2026. Isaac Accords. A project for direct flights Buenos Aires–Tel Aviv. Moving the embassy to Jerusalem “as soon as conditions allow”: not done yet. A freeze was reported in early 2026 (Malvinas / drilling).

    By Patrick Lancier

  • Hermès shares: French justice widens probe into an alleged €14 billion fraud

    Hermès shares: French justice widens probe into an alleged €14 billion fraud

    The essentials. French prosecutors have widened their investigation into an alleged fraud involving about €14 billion of Hermès shares, according to the Financial Times and Reuters. At its heart: heir Nicolas Puech, who says six million Hermès shares held in his name vanished. Everyone named is entitled to the presumption of innocence; no conviction has been handed down.

    It is one of the most spectacular financial sagas of the moment, spanning luxury, Swiss wealth management and the French courts. Nothing here is presented as established fact: these are complaints, an ongoing investigation and denials.

    Six million shares gone

    Nicolas Puech, 82, a fifth-generation Hermès heir and long the group’s largest individual shareholder, is said to have discovered around 2022 that six million Hermès shares he believed were held in his name had disappeared. On the group’s current valuation, the stake is worth roughly €14 billion (about $16 billion).

    “Massive fraud,” the heir alleges

    Mr Puech accuses his longtime wealth manager, Eric Freymond, of “massive fraud,” and has filed complaints in both Switzerland and France. According to his lawyers, his shares were moved without his knowledge as LVMH built a stake in the maker of the Birkin bag more than a decade ago. Eric Freymond died in July, struck by a train in Switzerland; he was, at this stage, the only person under criminal investigation in France.

    A civil claim targeting LVMH and Bernard Arnault

    On the civil side, Nicolas Puech has also sued in Paris LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault, along with two of the group’s family offices (Agache and Financière Agache) and several Swiss entities linked to the late manager, claiming he was unlawfully stripped of his Hermès shares. These are allegations made in civil proceedings; they carry no finding of guilt.

    LVMH’s denial. LVMH firmly disputes the claims, stating it has “never misappropriated the heir’s shares.” The presumption of innocence fully applies to all parties named.

    Why it is in the public interest

    A multibillion fortune vanishing from an heir’s accounts, a widening French criminal probe, a civil battle targeting one of the world’s richest men: the case raises questions about the traceability of great fortunes, the role of managers and family offices, and the robustness of controls. Reporting it — without distorting it or prejudging — is what the right to inform is for.

    Sources and references

    “French justice widens probe into alleged €14 billion Hermès shares fraud” (Financial Times / Reuters, via Zonebourse). Robb Report; Forbes; The Fashion Law; MarketScreener (LVMH denial). Facts reported conditionally; proceedings ongoing, presumption of innocence.

    By Patrick Lancier

  • BNP Paribas: what the courts actually say — from Sudan to the ‘CumCum’ files

    The essentials. A U.S. federal jury found BNP Paribas complicit in atrocities in Sudan (October 2025). The bank had already pleaded guilty in the United States in 2014 and paid USD 8.97 billion for violating sanctions targeting Sudan, Iran and Cuba. In France, BNP Paribas and its subsidiary Exane are among five banks raided in March 2023 in the “CumCum” investigation for aggravated laundering of tax fraud — an ongoing case, presumption of innocence applies.

    Behind the polished communications of a banking giant lie court decisions, guilty pleas and criminal investigations. Nothing here is opinion: everything is a matter of public record — a filing, a verdict or an investigative act.

    Sudan: a U.S. jury finds complicity in atrocities

    In October 2025, a federal jury in New York found BNP Paribas civilly liable for facilitating atrocities committed by Omar al-Bashir’s Sudanese regime, in Kashef v. BNP Paribas. The bank was ordered to pay about USD 20.5 million to three Sudanese plaintiffs. According to their lawyers, the verdict opens the door to claims by thousands of other refugees. The allegation: that from 1997 to 2007 the bank acted as Sudan’s “de facto central bank,” channelling funds through Geneva at the height of the Darfur conflict. BNP Paribas disputes the ruling and retains avenues of appeal; at this stage it is a first-instance civil verdict.

    2014: the USD 8.97 billion guilty plea

    This is not an isolated judicial event. In 2014, BNP Paribas pleaded guilty before U.S. justice and agreed to pay USD 8.97 billion — one of the heaviest penalties ever imposed on a bank — for transferring billions of dollars on behalf of Sudanese, Iranian and Cuban entities under economic sanctions. The link between the two cases is direct: it is that same circumvention mechanism that now underpins the liability found over Sudan.

    France: the “CumCum” probe targets BNP Paribas… and Exane

    On 28 March 2023, France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) carried out unprecedented raids on five banks: Société Générale, BNP Paribas, Exane (a BNP subsidiary), Natixis and HSBC. At stake: a preliminary investigation into aggravated laundering of aggravated tax fraud, concerning “CumCum” schemes that let non-resident investors avoid tax on French dividends. The operation mobilised sixteen PNF magistrates, 150 investigators and six German prosecutors from Cologne. The investigation is ongoing: no conviction has been handed down, and the presumption of innocence fully applies.

    Why this is in the public interest

    An institution that has pleaded guilty to sanctions violations, that a foreign jury finds complicit in atrocities, and whose subsidiary features in a large-scale criminal tax-fraud probe, engages the trust of millions of savers and taxpayers. Documenting these proceedings — without exaggerating or distorting them — is what the right to inform is for.

    Sources and references

    Kashef v. BNP Paribas (S.D.N.Y. / 2d Cir.), October 2025 verdict (Forbes, Hausfeld). 2014 guilty plea (USD 8.97bn, Sudan/Iran/Cuba sanctions), U.S. DoJ. “CumCum” raids of 28 March 2023 targeting BNP Paribas, Exane, Société Générale, Natixis and HSBC (Al Jazeera, La Libre). Branch network to shrink from about 1,500 to ~1,000 by 2030 (MoneyVox).

    By Patrick Lancier

  • L’argent de la charité détourné vers le terrorisme : anatomie d’un scandale financier mondial

    C’est l’un des paradoxes les plus glaçants de la finance clandestine : le geste le plus noble de l’humanité — donner aux plus démunis — peut être retourné en son exact contraire. Zakat musulmane, tzedakah juive, denier du culte chrétien, charity money anglo-saxonne : partout, la charité irrigue un circuit vertueux. Un rapport de l’institut israélien Meir Amit (ITIC), signé du Dr Udi Levi, décrit comment ce circuit serait méthodiquement détourné pour financer la mort.

    Intitulé « Funding Terrorism – Historical Review and Future Trend » (publication n°129-26, 13 août 2026, 23 pages), le document présente le financement du terrorisme comme un système « hybride, flexible et multicouche ». Mais son fil rouge le plus dérangeant tient en une phrase : l’argent destiné au bien peut devenir le carburant du pire.

    Le don, ce « bruit de fond » où se cache l’argent du sang

    Pourquoi la charité ? Parce qu’elle est, par nature, la couverture idéale. Le rapport décrit le détournement présumé de la zakat — l’aumône obligatoire, l’un des cinq piliers de l’islam — via des organisations caritatives. Des millions de dons sincères et minuscules formeraient, selon l’étude, un « bruit de fond » où quelques flux criminels se dissimulent sans peine. À cela s’ajouteraient des avantages redoutables : concessions fiscales, surveillance plus faible que celle des banques, et surtout la capacité d’opérer là où personne d’autre ne va — Gaza, le Liban, la Syrie.

    Le mécanisme est le même quel que soit le nom qu’on lui donne. Ce qui fait la force de la tzedakah, du denier du culte ou de la charity — la confiance, la discrétion, la générosité de masse — devient, une fois dévoyé, ce qui rend le détournement presque indétectable. La charité n’est pas coupable : elle est la première victime de ceux qui la parasitent.

    Cliniques, écoles, cantines : la façade et l’endoctrinement

    Le rapport décrit comment certaines structures caritatives serviraient d’écran : elles distribuent réellement de la nourriture, tiennent des cliniques, ouvrent des écoles — et créent ainsi une dépendance et une légitimité publiques. Cette vitrine sociale, souligne l’étude, peut aussi devenir un terreau d’endoctrinement et de recrutement. Le bien visible finance, à bas bruit, une autre économie.

    Du tronc de l’église au stablecoin

    Le circuit ne s’arrête pas à la collecte. Une fois récoltés sous couvert d’aide d’urgence ou d’aumône, les fonds emprunteraient les canaux classiques de la finance clandestine : le hawala, ce transfert informel fondé sur la confiance qui ne laisse aucune trace bancaire, puis, de plus en plus, les cryptomonnaies. Le rapport décrit des appels aux dons lancés sur les réseaux sociaux via de simples adresses de portefeuilles, convertis en stablecoins (notamment l’USDT sur le réseau TRON), avant de réintégrer le système bancaire occidental sous l’apparence d’un « capital propre ». La quête du dimanche et le don du Ramadan numérisés, retournés contre ceux qu’ils étaient censés protéger.

    États, banques et la mécanique du blanchiment

    Le document élargit ensuite le tableau : États présentés comme facilitateurs (le rapport cite nommément l’Iran, le Qatar, les Émirats arabes unis, le Venezuela, et présente la Chine comme un « refuge financier » — tout en jugeant que le récit d’une Arabie saoudite financière du terrorisme ne serait « plus exact ») ; affaires bancaires historiques (BCCI, Al-Shamal, Al-Taqwa) ; blanchiment par le commerce à coups de fausses factures. Ces mises en cause engagent les auteurs du rapport et doivent être lues sous réserve de la présomption d’innocence des entités visées.

    Le scandale, c’est l’inaction

    La conclusion du Dr Levi est un réquisitoire : la lutte ne peut plus se limiter à geler des comptes ou à allonger des listes de sanctions. Il faut, écrit-il, une approche systémique mêlant renseignement, régulation, analyse de la blockchain, intelligence artificielle et coopération internationale. Car tant que le circuit de la charité restera un angle mort, l’argent du bien continuera, quelque part, de payer la mort. Le rapport annonce des volets suivants consacrés au Hamas et au Hezbollah.

    Sources et références

    The Amit Terrorism and Intelligence Research Institute (ITIC / Meir Amit), « Funding Terrorism – Historical Review and Future Trend », Dr Udi Levi, publication n°129-26, 13 août 2026, 23 pages. Institut rattaché au Israeli Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center — terrorism-info.org.il.

    Éléments cités dans le rapport et documentés par ailleurs : rapports du GAFI/FATF et de MENAFATF ; documents du Trésor américain et de l’OFAC ; rapport de la Commission du 11-Septembre (2004) ; affaires judiciaires relatives à BCCI, Al-Taqwa et Binance ; publications de Matthew Levitt, RUSI, UNODC et Chainalysis.

    Patrick Lancier

  • IDF kills Hezbollah Radwan commander after drone wounds three soldiers

    IDF kills Hezbollah Radwan commander after drone wounds three soldiers

    IDF kills Hezbollah Radwan commander after drone wounds three soldiers

    “By Patrick Lancier”

    Israel killed a Hezbollah commander in south Lebanon overnight into Saturday, August 15, 2026, after the Iran-backed group attacked Israeli troops. The Israel Defense Forces said the target was Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a battalion commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. Hezbollah fired first: an explosive drone seriously wounded three IDF soldiers in the security zone that protects Israeli communities just across the border. The IDF struck the headquarters that, Jerusalem says, ordered that attack. This is self-defense, not an unprovoked raid. The United States has a stake: it sponsors the talks. Israel’s ambassador in Washington warned Beirut not to walk away. America’s ambassador in Israel called Hezbollah “pure evil” for putting children in a military compound.

    Hezbollah drone hits IDF troops in the security zone

    The Prime Minister’s Office said Saturday that Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by attacking Israeli soldiers in the security zone near the border, seriously wounding three, the Associated Press and JNS report. JNS names an officer and two enlisted men, evacuated to hospital. The IDF later said the weapon was an explosive drone on the Ali al-Taher Ridge, inside the roughly 10-kilometer strip where Israeli forces operate under the June deal, per AFP via France 24 and the BBC.

    That strip exists to keep Hezbollah from turning the border into a launch pad against northern Israel. Firing a drone at soldiers there is a ceasefire breach. The June 20 truce and the June 26 U.S.-brokered framework — disarm Hezbollah, phase Israeli withdrawal, deploy the Lebanese army — did not give the group a free hand to attack, AP notes. Hezbollah refused direct talks and was not a party to the deal.

    IDF kills Radwan battalion commander Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan

    The military said it struck a “central headquarters” of the Radwan Force in Ansar, about 20 kilometers from the Israeli border (AFP). Hassan was killed there, along with several other Hezbollah operatives “involved in advancing terror attacks” against IDF soldiers, according to the IDF statement carried by the Jerusalem Post and the BBC. “The strike was specifically directed at Hassan, who was a lawful target under international law,” the army said.

    Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter — who leads Israel’s negotiating team with Lebanon — said the IDF had “acted decisively against the Hezbollah commander who ordered the attack” (JNS). On Sunday the Jerusalem Post reported a second strike, in Deir ez-Zahrani, that killed Abu Hassan Alaa, a commander in Hezbollah’s Badr Unit, whom the IDF said had advanced drone attacks on Israeli troops. Lebanon’s Health Ministry, via AFP, reported four dead and 17 wounded in Deir Zahrani. The IDF’s identification of Alaa is the military fact that ministry tally does not name.

    Hezbollah put the commander’s family inside a military headquarters

    The IDF said Hassan’s family was with him inside the headquarters and was harmed. They were not the target. “The terrorist used his family as human shields, hiding alongside them inside the military headquarters,” the army said (Jerusalem Post, BBC). That is Hezbollah practice — embedding a command post among relatives — not a disputed talking point.

    The Prime Minister’s Office said the IDF learned only later that Hezbollah had “deliberately put civilians in that military compound.” “Hezbollah is willing to do anything, including using its own civilians as human shields, to falsely accuse Israel of deliberately targeting civilians, which the IDF clearly did not,” the PMO said (Jerusalem Post). Lebanon’s Health Ministry, via AFP, counted seven dead in Ansar, “including three children and two women.” AP reported that Hezbollah supporters posted photographs of the commander, his wife, three sons and one daughter, and said they were all killed. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee put the method in American English: Hezbollah wounds Israeli troops, then “rounds up children” in a military compound because Iran’s proxy wants them in harm’s way. He called the group “pure evil” and equated the conduct with Hamas (JNS).

    Washington: do not let Hezbollah kill the talks

    An eighth round of U.S.-sponsored talks was being discussed for early September in Rome (AFP, BBC). Leiter warned that if the Lebanese government uses the strike “as a pretext to delay or discontinue peace talks, it would hand a tactical victory to the enemies of peace.” “Derailing the talks is precisely what Hezbollah is trying to achieve,” he wrote (JNS). Hezbollah vowed an “appropriate” response and told Beirut to drop “humiliating” negotiations (AFP). Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the strikes a “clear message” on the U.S. effort (AP). Netanyahu spokesman Doron Spielman told AFP the opposite: Israeli strikes on Hezbollah “should restart the negotiations and make them much more serious,” not the reverse.

    U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said talks “will continue.” Asked if Washington supports the strikes, he said he did not know. He added that Israeli operations in southern Lebanon will stop when Hezbollah lays down its weapons. “Everything will stop,” JNS quotes him. That is the American condition already on the table: Hezbollah disarms. Israel answered a drone that wounded three of its soldiers by killing the Radwan commander who, it says, ordered the attack. The talks are still there. Hezbollah wants them empty.

    FAQ

    Who did the IDF kill?

    Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a Radwan Force battalion commander, in Ansar, the IDF said. On Sunday the Jerusalem Post reported Abu Hassan Alaa, a Badr Unit commander, was killed in Deir ez-Zahrani.

    Did Hezbollah break the ceasefire?

    Yes, according to the Prime Minister’s Office: Hezbollah attacked IDF soldiers in the security zone and seriously wounded three. AP, JNS.

    What did U.S. officials say?

    Huckabee called Hezbollah “pure evil” for putting children in a military compound. Leiter warned Beirut not to walk away from talks. Issa said negotiations will continue and Israeli operations stop when Hezbollah disarms. JNS.

    Were civilians the target?

    No, the IDF said. Hassan used his family as human shields inside a military headquarters. The PMO said Israel learned of the civilians only later. Lebanon’s Health Ministry, via AFP, reported seven dead in Ansar, including three children and two women.

    Sources

    “By Patrick Lancier”


  • Cyprus Pushes Israel for Merkava Tanks to Replace Ageing Russian T-80s

    Cyprus Pushes Israel for Merkava Tanks to Replace Ageing Russian T-80s

    Cyprus is stepping up pressure on Israel to buy Merkava main battle tanks, aiming to retire a fleet of Russian-built T-80s that has become costly and unreliable under Western sanctions. The military file sits against the backdrop of a frozen conflict with Turkey and unresolved energy disputes in the eastern Mediterranean.

    TL;DR

    • Cypriot daily Phileleftheros, cited by The Jerusalem Post (13 Aug 2026), reports Cyprus is pressing Israel to allow the purchase of Merkava tanks (Mk3 or Mk4).
    • The goal is to replace Russian T-80s, whose parts and ammunition are hard to source under sanctions.
    • Cyprus reportedly rejected Greece’s Leopard 1A5 as unsuitable; France’s EBRC Jaguar is also mentioned.
    • Israel is said to be divided; other outlets add that production demands from Israeli military operations are a constraint.
    • Backdrop: a stalled Turkey-Cyprus peace process and eastern-Mediterranean gas tensions.

    A replacement driven by cost and sanctions

    According to the pan-Cypriot daily Phileleftheros, cited by The Jerusalem Post on 13 August 2026, Cyprus’s National Guard is seeking Israeli Merkava tanks in the Mk3 or Mk4 variants [1]. Its current fleet relies on Russian-built T-80s, but deteriorating relations with Moscow and Western sanctions have made spare parts and ammunition hard to secure reliably [1][2]. Cypriot reporting puts the fleet at roughly 80 T-80s in the 20th armoured brigade [3]. The Merkava’s suitability, per Cypriot media, rests on the similarity of Israeli and Cypriot terrain and the two countries’ proximity, which would ease logistical support [1].

    Merkava, Leopard or Jaguar

    Greece’s offer of Leopard 1A5 tanks (75-90 reported) was rejected after a National Guard delegation inspected them and found they did not meet operational requirements, even as an interim solution [3][4]. France’s EBRC Jaguar has also been cited among the alternatives [5]. Contracts for smaller kit such as drones have reportedly advanced, while larger armour deals are slated to begin from 2028 [1].

    Why Israel hesitates

    The Jerusalem Post notes that opinion inside the Israeli government is split, with some favouring a sale and others wanting the tanks kept for the IDF [1]. Other Cypriot media add a key nuance: talks have not progressed, partly because of the production demands tied to Israeli military operations [3]. Discussions had stalled after 7 October 2023, with Israel signalling they would resume once the security situation eased [1].

    Israel as a growing defence supplier

    In 2024, Cyprus took delivery of Israel’s Barak MX air-defence system, with the first batch reported in early December 2024 [9][10]. In December 2025, Israel, Greece and Cyprus signed a trilateral military-cooperation work plan for 2026 [7][8].

    The backdrop: a frozen dispute with Turkey

    The island has been divided since Turkey’s 1974 invasion, which followed an Athens-backed coup; the north is administered by the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, recognised only by Turkey [9]. President Nikos Christodoulides justified the deterrence effort in 2024 “not only because we are a country under occupation, but an EU member state in a region of particular geo-strategic importance” [1].

    In summer 2026, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tried to revive talks nine years after the last collapse, but the sides remain split between a federal model (Greek Cypriots) and a two-state outcome (Ankara) [11][12]. Overlapping EEZ claims and offshore gas drilling — plus “light” EU sanctions on Turkey that Ankara rejected — keep the security climate tense [13]. It is, in effect, a diplomatic dead end.

    Verified vs. contested

    Confirmed by multiple independent outlets: Cyprus’s interest in the Merkava and plan to replace the T-80s; the rejection of Greece’s Leopard 1A5; the 2024 Barak MX delivery; the December 2025 trilateral plan; the island’s division since 1974 and the 2026 stalemate.

    Single-source / to be confirmed: the precise content of Israeli internal debate (source Phileleftheros); the 2028 timeline; exact volumes. No firm contract exists to date.

    FAQ

    Has Cyprus already bought the Merkava tanks?

    No. So far this is reported interest and pressure; no firm contract is confirmed and Israel has not decided [1][3].

    Why not keep the Russian T-80s?

    Sanctions and the break with Moscow make spare parts and ammunition hard to obtain, raising cost and reducing readiness [1].

    Will Israel agree to sell?

    Undecided. The Israeli government is split and prioritises its own military needs [1][3].

    How does this relate to Turkey?

    Cyprus is rearming against the backdrop of an island divided since 1974 and persistent tensions with Turkey, including over offshore gas [12][13].

    References

    1. The Jerusalem Post — “Cyprus ramping up pressure on Tel Aviv while eyeing Israel’s Merkava tanks”, 13 Aug 2026. https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-905462
    2. Anadolu Agency — “Greek Cypriot administration to replace Russian T-80U tanks with Israel’s Merkava”, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/greek-cypriot-administration-to-replace-russian-t-80u-tanks-with-israels-merkava/3086795
    3. Cyprus Mail — “Cyprus rejects Greek Leopard tanks in favour of Israel’s Merkava”, 10 Aug 2026. https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/08/10/cyprus-rejects-greek-leopard-tanks-in-favour-of-israels-merkava
    4. Greek City Times — “Cyprus Turns Down 90 Greek Leopard Tanks”, 11 Aug 2026. https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/08/11/cyprus-rejects-greece-leopard-tanks-merkava-t80/
    5. Sigmalive English — “Cyprus seeks Jaguar armoured vehicles as pressure over Merkava tanks grows”, 2026. https://en.sigmalive.com/cyprus-seeks-jaguar-armoured-vehicles-as-pressure-over-merkava-tanks-grows/
    6. The Jerusalem Post — “Trilateral work plan Israel, Greece, Cyprus”, Dec 2025. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-881604
    7. Cyprus Mail — “Trilateral defence plan sealed”, 29 Dec 2025. https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/12/29/trilateral-defence-plan-sealed-force-rumours-rebuffed
    8. The Times of Israel — “Cyprus takes delivery of air defense system from Israel”, 2024. https://www.timesofisrael.com/cyprus-takes-delivery-of-air-defense-system-from-israel-report-says/
    9. Army Recognition — “Cyprus modernizes air defense with Israeli Barak MX”, 2024. https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-land-defense/land-defense-2024/cyprus-modernizes-air-defense-capabilities-with-new-israeli-barak-mx-surface-to-air-missile-system
    10. Euronews — “UN chief Guterres to convene new Cyprus talks”, 29 Jul 2026. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/07/29/un-chief-guterres-to-convene-new-talks-on-ending-cyprus-decades-long-conflict
    11. Turkish Minute — “Erdogan rejects Cyprus plans that sideline Turkish Cypriot rights”, 30 Jul 2026. https://turkishminute.com/2026/07/30/erdogan-rejects-cyprus-plans-that-sideline-turkish-cypriot-rights/
    12. ECFR — “Eastern Mediterranean gas: Testing the field”. https://ecfr.eu/special/eastern_med/gas_fields

    By Patrick Lancier — News


  • India: Enforcement Directorate Arrests Alleged Fund-Handler in Shivam Associates Ponzi Case

    India: Enforcement Directorate Arrests Alleged Fund-Handler in Shivam Associates Ponzi Case

    India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED), the country’s anti–money-laundering agency, said it arrested Shivanand Siddappa Neelannavar on 13 August 2026, describing him as the “whole and sole” person handling the funds of the firm Shivam Associates. According to the ED, the operation raised roughly ₹2,110.97 crore — on the order of 21.1 billion rupees, or about $221 million (≈ €192 million) — from investors across four Indian states by promising monthly returns of about 3%. This is an arrest and a set of allegations, not a conviction: Neelannavar is presumed innocent and has not been found guilty by any court.

    TL;DR

    • Who: Shivanand Siddappa Neelannavar, described by the ED as the majority partner and sole handler of Shivam Associates’ money flow.
    • What: arrest in a money-laundering probe tied to an alleged Ponzi-style scheme.
    • When: arrested 13 August 2026 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
    • How much: ₹2,110.97 crore per the ED — ≈ 21.1 billion rupees (≈ $221M / ≈ €192M at early-August 2026 rates).
    • Where: alleged network across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Chhattisgarh.
    • Next: remanded to 12 days of ED custody (until 24 August 2026) by the Special PMLA Court in Mangaluru.
    • Legal status: untested allegations. Presumption of innocence.

    What the ED alleges

    According to the ED statement carried by Indian media, Shivam Associates — a partnership firm — allegedly collected money from the public by promising monthly returns of around 3%, which annualizes to more than 40% — a level no legitimate investment can guarantee over time. The agency describes the arrangement as a “Ponzi-style scheme,” in which, per the probe, payouts to earlier investors were allegedly funded not by real economic activity but by deposits from newer entrants.

    The ED puts the alleged collection at ₹2,110.97 crore. For context, one crore equals 10 million rupees, so the figure is about 21.1 billion rupees. At exchange rates observed on 10 August 2026 (about ₹95.4 to the dollar and ₹110.1 to the euro), that is on the order of $221 million, or roughly €192 million. These conversions are indicative only; the official figure is stated in rupees and remains an investigative estimate, not an amount established by a court.

    A network across four states

    The ED says recruitment relied on a “digital mapping system” and an extensive network of independent agents operating across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Chhattisgarh. These agents were allegedly paid referral commissions (around 0.5%) meant, per the probe, to keep new capital flowing in — a cascading recruitment structure the agency reads as characteristic of a pyramid scheme.

    Where the money allegedly went

    The ED claims part of the collected funds was diverted into luxury vehicles, high-value bungalows, real estate held in the names of nominal partners, and movie productions. These are presented by the agency as alleged proceeds of crime; they have not, at this stage, been the subject of a court ruling.

    The role attributed to Neelannavar

    The agency describes Neelannavar as the majority partner exercising primary control over the firm and as the “whole and sole” person managing its fund flow — the basis for his arrest. It bears repeating that this description comes from the prosecution. No court has ruled on his liability, and he retains the full benefit of the presumption of innocence.

    Legal framework: arrest, custody and the PMLA

    The arrest was made under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the law that empowers the ED to investigate money laundering and to attach assets alleged to be proceeds of crime. Produced before the Special PMLA Court in Mangaluru, Neelannavar was remanded to ED custody for 12 days, until 24 August 2026. The investigation reportedly followed a complaint over unauthorized deposits and investments.

    Procedurally, custody implies no admission of guilt: it lets the agency continue its inquiry. What follows will depend on whether a formal prosecution complaint is filed, and then on a trial in which the burden of proof rests with the prosecution.

    Why “3% a month” schemes collapse

    Beyond this case, the matter illustrates a classic mechanism of investment fraud. A fixed, guaranteed 3% monthly return — detached from any market cycle — is itself a red flag: it implies compounding above 42% a year, far beyond what real assets sustainably produce. In a Ponzi structure, the promise holds only as long as new inflows exceed withdrawals; once recruitment slows, liquidity dries up and the edifice fails. Referral commissions, by rewarding the recruitment of new subscribers rather than value creation, mechanically accelerate that dynamic. This analytical framing is general and does not prejudge the final legal characterization of the Shivam Associates matter, which is for the courts.

    FAQ

    Has Neelannavar been convicted?

    No. He has been arrested and remanded to ED custody in a money-laundering probe. No court has convicted him. He is presumed innocent unless and until a court rules otherwise.

    How large is the alleged loss?

    The ED cites roughly ₹2,110.97 crore — ≈ 21.1 billion rupees (≈ $221M / ≈ €192M at August 2026 rates). This is an investigative estimate that may change; it is not an amount established by a judgment.

    What are the ED and the PMLA?

    The ED is India’s agency for enforcing anti–money-laundering and foreign-exchange laws. The PMLA (2002) gives it powers to arrest, investigate and attach assets alleged to be proceeds of crime. An arrest under the PMLA is not a conviction.

    What happens next?

    When custody ends (scheduled for 24 August 2026), the ED may seek an extension, file formal charges, or move to attach assets. Any finding of guilt would come from a later trial.

    References

    1. IANS, 14 Aug 2026 — ianslive.in
    2. Deccan Chronicle, Aug 2026 — deccanchronicle.com
    3. ACAMS, Aug 2026 — acams.org
    4. Traders Union, Aug 2026 — tradersunion.com
    5. All About Belgaum, Aug 2026 — allaboutbelgaum.com

    Editor’s note: this article reports facts alleged by the ED at the investigation stage. Individuals named are presumed innocent. el-ya.com will update this piece as the case develops.


  • NFL Preseason Week 1 Scores: Every Result From Thursday Night, and What Actually Mattered

    NFL Preseason Week 1 Scores: Every Result From Thursday Night, and What Actually Mattered

    TL;DR

    • Six games opened the 2026 NFL preseason on Thursday, 13 August.
    • Steelers 28–9 Packers · Bengals 16–14 Lions · Chargers 27–7 Texans · Cardinals 27–14 Raiders · Titans 19–13 49ers · Colts 13–13 Patriots (tie).
    • Steelers rookie QB Drew Allar was the night’s standout: 10 of 13 for 153 yards, two passing touchdowns and one on the ground.
    • Packers rookie kicker Trey Smack went 3 for 3, including two 58-yarders.
    • Colts QB Anthony Richardson did little to move his trade market: 11 of 14, 145 yards, an interception and a lost fumble.

    Preseason football is a strange product — the scoreboard barely matters, the depth charts matter enormously. Thursday’s six-game slate opened the 2026 exhibition season and, as usual, the most interesting things happened well after the starters had showered. Here is every result, plus what actually moved.

    What were the NFL preseason Week 1 scores?

    • Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Green Bay Packers 9
    • Cincinnati Bengals 16, Detroit Lions 14
    • Los Angeles Chargers 27, Houston Texans 7
    • Arizona Cardinals 27, Las Vegas Raiders 14
    • Tennessee Titans 19, San Francisco 49ers 13
    • Indianapolis Colts 13, New England Patriots 13 (tie)

    Who was the biggest winner of the night?

    Drew Allar. The Steelers rookie quarterback came on late in the third quarter and tore through the bottom of Green Bay’s depth chart, finishing 10 of 13 for 153 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing score. Seventy-four of those yards came on a single breakaway to fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen, who later caught one of the touchdowns.

    Earlier in the game, second-round rookie receiver Germie Bernard had already made the case for a role: four catches for 51 yards on five targets from Mason Rudolph, with a 25-yard grab that involved spinning through two defenders. With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman both resting, Pittsburgh got a useful look at what sits behind them.

    And the most relieved fanbase?

    Green Bay’s. The Packers have churned through kickers since Mason Crosby, and sixth-round rookie Trey Smack had been inconsistent in camp. On Thursday he went 3 for 3, opening with a 58-yarder that was wiped out by a Pittsburgh penalty, converting the 37-yard retry, then drilling another 58-yarder before half.

    What did we learn about the quarterbacks?

    In Cincinnati, the story was mechanics rather than statistics. Joe Burrow’s first pass was a play-action strike from under center to Ja’Marr Chase for 16 yards — the Bengals want more under-centre play-action in 2026, and it had been rough in camp. Over two drives Burrow lined up under centre on seven of 13 snaps and went 2 of 2 for 25 yards. Less encouraging: he was sacked on the opening drive and hit hard after a quick pressure allowed by left tackle Orlando Brown.

    In New England, Anthony Richardson produced a box score prettier than the tape: 11 of 14 for 145 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, one lost fumble, plus a 1-yard sneak and 53 rushing yards across six first-half drives that yielded seven points. With Daniel Jones established as Indianapolis’ starter and Richardson having requested a trade, the night did little to build a market or to settle the QB2 battle with Riley Leonard.

    Which rookies flashed elsewhere?

    Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love started slowly — 3, 2, 1 and 2 yards on his first four carries — then found his gear with runs of 8, 9 and two of 15, finishing the first half with 11 carries for 58 yards and three catches for 15. On the other sideline, Raiders back Mike Washington Jr. put up 63 yards on just six carries, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza made his debut in a losing effort.

    Tennessee gave first-round picks Carnell Tate and Keldric Faulk starts against San Francisco. In Houston, rookie centre Keylan Rutledge played a single drive — a vote of confidence in his starter status — and it ended with a Davis Mills touchdown throw to Jared Wayne.

    Frequently asked questions

    When was NFL preseason Week 1?

    The first wave of six games was played on Thursday, 13 August 2026. More Week 1 preseason games follow across the weekend.

    Did any game end in a tie?

    Yes. The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots finished 13–13. Preseason games do not go to overtime, so ties are possible.

    What was the biggest margin of victory?

    The Los Angeles Chargers’ 27–7 win at Houston, matched in points by Pittsburgh’s 28–9 result against Green Bay.

    Do preseason results count in the standings?

    No. Preseason records are tracked separately and have no bearing on the regular-season standings or playoff seeding.

    Who stood out most among rookies?

    Steelers quarterback Drew Allar, with 153 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, alongside Packers kicker Trey Smack’s perfect 3-for-3 night.

    By Patrick Lancier

EL-YA News

EL-YA News is an independent English-language breaking news site providing real-time, fact-based coverage of Israel and the Middle East, following strict standards of accuracy, transparency, and neutrality.