Federal Indictment Accuses Dual Citizen of Illegally Sending Funds
A Bel Air resident was arrested today following a federal grand jury indictment that accuses him and two Iranian nationals of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran. The indictment alleges the defendants illegally transferred digital and physical gift cards worth approximately $2.4 million to Iran.
Kambiz Eghbali, 50, also known as “Cameron Eghbali,” holds dual citizenship in the United States and Iran. He faces charges including violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. His arraignment is scheduled for this afternoon in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
The indictment also names Hamid Hajipour and Babak Bahizad, both Iranian nationals who remain at large.
“Restrictions on exports and transactions with countries that are hostile to the United States, such as Iran, are critical to protecting our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Nothing is more important than protecting our country from foreign threats, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who undermine our national security.”
The indictment outlines a scheme in which, between 2014 and 2019, Eghbali and his co-conspirators allegedly sent gift cards loaded with U.S. dollars to Iran, bypassing sanctions. Eghbali is accused of listing his North Hills-based video game company as the seller, sending the cards to Bahizad and Hajipour for use in their Iran-based businesses. Bahizad and Hajipour then reportedly funneled payments to Eghbali through third-party countries to evade detection by U.S. regulators.
Under the IEEPA and Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), transactions involving Iran are tightly controlled due to national security concerns, including Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism.
If convicted, Eghbali and his co-defendants face severe penalties, including up to 20 years for IEEPA violations, 30 years for bank fraud, and 20 years for money laundering. The indictment also signals intent to seize any assets linked to the alleged crimes.
The FBI, with support from Homeland Security Investigations, is handling the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Boylan and Mark Takla, along with Trial Attorneys David J. Ryan and Leslie Esbrook from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
