Tracking the London Bombers: Follow the Money If You Can!

By Victor Comras

An intense investigation is now underway to identify, capture and prosecute those responsible for the 7/7 London public transit system bombings. Following the money will be a very important part of this investigation. The process starts with the gathering of evidentiary items at the scene and elsewhere that might be linked to the bombing and the culprits. Investigators will seek to determine where they came from, who acquired them, and who paid for them. This methodology proved successful in helping to track down those responsible for the Bali, Istanbul, Riyadh, and Madrid bombing. In the latter case an unexploded detonator connected to a mobile phone provided the critical lead. The phone�s SIM card led police to a small telephone center run by one of the suspects, Jamal Zougam. Further investigation turned up other suspects and sources of funding for the operation. It appeared that the Al Qaeda linked local Moroccan Cell responsible for carrying out the blasts were, themselves, engaged in local illicit drug dealing. And this is believed to have provided the principal funding for the Madrid train bombing operation. But, there are also indications that outsiders and outside financing may also have played a role. This includes Mohammed Guerbouzi, a Morrocan born British citizen who is reportedly now being sought for questioning re both the Madrid and London bombings.

While funding for the London attack may initially appear small, the amounts required for such an operation become much more important when one factors in the costs of indoctrination, recruitment, maintenance, logistics, cover-up and escape. The sophisication of the London attack, and its non suicide mission format appears to indicate that considerable planning and preparation were involved. An obvious target of inquiry will be Abu Hamza al-Masri and the Finsbury Mosque. Coincidently, al-Masri�s trial on terrorism and hate crime related charges began in the London Central Court on July 5th, just two days before the London Bombings, raising some thoughts of a possible linkage to the terrorist attacks. And just who are al-Masri�s financial supporters. The financial investigation might well look closely at al Masri�s current website"http://www.shareeah.org". or its previous (no longer in service) SupportersOfShariah.com. The links revealed in this site point to a number of Islamic Charities and Non profit groups that could, knowingly, or unwittingly, provide cover for raising and transferring funds for such an operation.

�We will pursue those responsible,� Tony Blair told Parliament, �not just the perpetrators but the planners of this outrage, wherever they are and we will not rest until they are identified, and as far as is humanly possible, brought to justice." It is usually the case that the operation�s planners are also close to the source of funding. . At this stage forensic investigators will be employed to help trace the funds back to their origin. Those charged with the London Bombing investigation can draw on a range of new forensic tools to determine whether the tainted funds passed through the British banking system, or were transferred through alternative means. Banking records in Britain, as in the United States, have become useful investigative tools for tracing money. Post 9/11 regulations and practices require banks to �know their customers,� and to maintain detailed transaction records. They are also required to report all suspicious transactions. The British Government has also undertaken a meticulous review of informal transfer mechanisms that should allow their investigators an opportunity to look more closely at such transfer routes that might be linked to the bombings. Improved intelligence cooperation with the United States and other European intelligence services will also assist in this investigative process. Lets wish these investigators great success and provide them all the help and assistance we can.

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