BOGOTÁ, October 19, 2026 — A 61-year-old Israeli national known as “El Banquero” has been taken into custody at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. Mikhael Mezrahi, also identified in reports as Mikhael Jaime Shamis Mezrahi, was detained by Colombian police and Interpol officials acting on a Red Notice issued by the United Arab Emirates.
The Mechanics of the Fraud
The arrest follows a long-standing investigation into a sophisticated financial fraud scheme that targeted the Bank of Khartoum in Dubai. According to Colombian police, the criminal network operated by posing as high-profile investors and representatives of legitimate commercial entities. By presenting fraudulent bank guarantees, falsified contracts, and other deceptive financial documentation, the group successfully defrauded the institution of approximately $16.7 million, or 61.44 million UAE dirhams.
Investigators allege that the organization staged meetings and simulations to project an image of legitimacy before initiating the transfer of funds. These proceeds were routed to various companies linked to Mezrahi, including a firm identified as WYB AG General Trading. According to reports, the group also utilized dilatory tactics, such as the issuance of false transfer orders, to buy time while moving the illicit funds across international borders.
A History of International Evasion
Mezrahi’s detention in Bogotá occurred as he arrived on a flight from Madrid, reportedly preparing to board a connecting flight to Venezuela. At the time of his arrest, authorities found him in possession of four separate passports issued by Israel, Mexico, Canada, and Lebanon. This multi-national background has complicated previous efforts to bring him to justice.
In November 2022, a court in the United Arab Emirates sentenced Mezrahi to five years in prison for his role in the fraud, as well as charges related to money laundering, forgery, and the use of falsified private documents. Following that conviction, he fled to Spain. While the UAE sought his extradition from Spanish soil, the country’s National Court rejected the request on various grounds, allowing him to remain at liberty until his recent arrival in Colombia. Beyond the UAE case, Mezrahi has been linked to business interests in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico, and has previously faced investigations in Canada regarding alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
Extradition and Diplomatic Cooperation
The arrest is viewed by Colombian authorities as a significant success for international law enforcement. Col. Alver Vicente Alfonso Sanabria, director of the Interpol investigation unit within the Colombian National Police, stated that the operation highlights the effectiveness of the international police cooperation mechanisms managed by Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Colombia.
“Mezrahi’s arrest is a significant result of the international police cooperation mechanisms led by Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Colombia,” Sanabria said. He added that the operation demonstrates the country’s commitment to combating transnational organized crime.
Following the detention, Mezrahi was transferred to the custody of Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office. He currently remains at the disposal of the office as judicial and diplomatic proceedings move forward to facilitate his extradition to the United Arab Emirates. The case highlights the broader stakes of transnational financial crime, where suspects utilize multiple citizenships and complex corporate structures to navigate between jurisdictions. For now, the calculus for Mezrahi has shifted from evasion to a formal legal process in the Colombian court system.
Global Business and Criminal Ties
Beyond the specific fraud case in the United Arab Emirates, investigators have linked Mikhael Mezrahi to an extensive web of international business activities. Reports indicate that his professional footprint includes involvement with securities companies based in the United Kingdom, as well as various real estate and tourism projects located in Canada and Mexico. These diverse holdings are viewed by authorities as part of a complex operation that spans multiple continents.
The scope of these investigations extends into allegations of more serious criminal conduct. According to reports, Mezrahi has previously been the subject of investigations in Canada regarding alleged involvement in drug trafficking. Furthermore, while the funds from the Bank of Khartoum fraud were partially routed through WYB AG General Trading, police investigations suggest that the broader criminal network utilized a variety of corporate entities, such as a firm identified as Art Lawyers, to facilitate their operations and move illicit proceeds across international borders.
Sources
- Israeli national wanted in $16.7 million Dubai fraud case arrested in Colombia | The Jerusalem Post
- ‘Israeli’ man arrested over $16.7 million Dubai dank fraud
- Israeli national wanted in $16.7 million Dubai fraud case arrested in Colombia | The Jerusalem Post
Photo: EFE (CC BY-SA 4.0)
