US sanctions Australian cafe owner over Asian gang links

A former NSW cafe owner has been targeted by a US probe into an Asian-based crime gang.

LinkedIn profile picture of Eberahim Abbas, on whom the US government has placed economic sanctions because of his alleged work with an international crime group, the Zhao Wei criminal organisation.

A former NSW cafe owner has been targeted by a US probe into an Asian-based crime gang ­allegedly involved in child pros­titution, heroin and human ­trafficking.

The US Treasury Department has accused Australian Eberahim Abbas of being the head of ­security and former manager of the ­notorious Kings Romans ­Casino on the Laos side of the Mekong River, and a represen­tative of Chinese national Zhao Wei’s “transnational criminal ­organisation”.

Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker this week alleged the gang “engages in an array of horrendous illicit ­activi­ties, including human ­trafficking and child prostitution, drug trafficking, and wildlife ­trafficking.”

Mr Abbas, who has not been charged with any criminal ­offence, is among individuals and companies hit with economic sanctions, including a ban on any US individual or entity doing business or providing support to the Australian.

An address in Wagga Wagga, where he had owned a takeaway Asian cafe, is included in the formal listing of the economic sanctions imposed with the assistance of the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

“We are targeting key figures in this transnational criminal organisation, which stretches from the Kings Romans Casino in Laos throughout Southeast Asia,” Ms Mandelker said.

Mr Abbas, 68, denied the allegations. “I have no idea how come I could be alleged by the US gov,” Mr Abbas said from Laos in a text message to The Australian. “Of course, I do not accept nor agree (with) anything claimed by the US gov.”

The sanctions list his name as “Abbas Eberahim”, although the date of birth and address matches those of the “Eberahim Abbas” used in Australian property and legal documents.

“Abbas Eberahim, an Australian national, is designated for providing material support and acting for or on behalf of the Zhao Wei TCO,” the US Treasury Department said in a statement announcing the sanctions. “He is in charge of security at the Kings Romans Casino and was the former managing director.

“(He) has engaged in bribery on behalf of the Zhao Wei TCO.”

Online, he has described himself as the “director-general of KRC & investment co-ordinator” of the Kings Romans Casino since 2006, and has been quoted in previous media reports variously as a “manager” of the gaming house and an “executive” of its parent company.

In 2010, Mr Abbas denied the casino engaged in any illegal activity. “I can offer reassurances that our casino doesn’t tolerate any illegal activities or money-laundering,” he told Asian magazine The Diplomat.

Family members in Wagga Wagga, owners of the property listed by the US as Mr Abbas’s address, did not return calls.