Israeli Fugitive Yaniv Moalem Extradited from Panama and Detained at Ben Gurion Airport

Yaniv Moalem, convicted of managing a network of shell companies and front men in the fuel sector, was extradited from Panama to Israel after nearly two and a half years of international pursuit. Upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, Moalem was immediately taken into custody by investigators from the Customs and VAT Investigation Unit in Jerusalem and brought before the court. The Northern District Customs and VAT legal department requested his detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings, citing concerns over potential flight risk. The court approved the request, ordering Moalem's continued detention.

Moalem was convicted in the Nazareth District Court on two indictments related to operating a network that facilitated the issuance and offsetting of hundreds of fictitious tax invoices in the fuel industry, involving hundreds of millions of shekels. According to the Israeli Tax Authority, the scheme caused a loss of approximately 65 million shekels to the state treasury. Additionally, large sums were laundered through currency service providers, with tens of millions of shekels withdrawn in cash and the source concealed.

Before fleeing Israel, Moalem partially admitted to the charges as part of a plea deal, which included a state motion for a 10-year prison sentence, heavy fines, and extensive asset forfeiture. After his escape, the Customs and VAT legal department pursued enforcement against his financial guarantees, leading to court-ordered seizure of personal guarantees totaling about one million shekels. Moalem was located and arrested in Panama in September 2024, and following his extradition, Israeli attorneys Alaa Khair and Avner Didi are working to complete the criminal process and enforce the confiscation of assets seized during the investigation.