At the time it was unproven that Karameh had been an un-indicted co-conspirer with Ikechukwu Amadi, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Canada, who led an international criminal organization based in Nigeria that defrauded dozens of victims across the United States and then laundered hundreds of millions of U.S. Dollars through a complex network of bank accounts. The organization, known as the Black Axe Group, or Neo Black Movement of Africa, coordinated fraud and money laundering activity throughout the globe via cells or “zones” in Nigeria, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere.
Amadi plead guilty on July 25, 2019, was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison. When asked about Karameh, a federal official stated that they do not comment on ongoing investigations.
Between the times of Amadi’s arrest and sentencing, Karameh paid cash for three very large mega-yachts. The 127m Privilege P430 located in Civitavecchia, Italy, the 80m Blohm and Voss “Grand Ocean” built in 1990, and the 51m Turkish built Miss Tor Yacht (Ex: Elena II, Moonlight, and Versaille), now known as “MOKA” and build in 2014.
In 2020 the Yacht MOKA was arrested and seized for non-payment of repair services. The 80m Grand Ocean was arrested for a time in 2019, and remains the object of ongoing litigation. Grand Ocean has sat idle, and seemingly forsaken on land, and in desperate need of repair since Karameh took possession in 2018. The 127m Privilege P430 has been left derelict and deserted in Civitavecchia by Karameh since the moment of his purchase.
Three large expensive mega-yachts all paid with cash in the midst of a money laundering prosecution. Two yachts abandoned. And, all three involved in seizure litigation.
The circumstances of Nidal Chazi Karameh are suspicious at best. This might be considered curious behavior and indeed not the normal operating practice of an upright and legitimate business person. Time will be the ultimate judge of actual story and purpose of these yachts.
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