Iraq Integrity Commission uncovers 2.19B IQD embezzlement in Salah Al-Din

The headquarters of the Federal Commission of Integrity in Iraq. Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity announced on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the uncovering of a major embezzlement scheme within the Salah Al-Din Traffic Directorate, involving the fraudulent manipulation of more than 56,000 official traffic citation receipts and the misappropriation of over 2.192 billion Iraqi dinars ($1.46 million at the newly adjusted official rate). Investigators seized original forged accounting records and brought five senior ranking officers—including a brigadier general and four colonels—under active criminal inquiry. According to an official statement, specialized field teams from the Commission’s Saladin Investigation Office audited financial ledgers and cross-matched serial numbers, exposing two distinct schemes operating within the governorate’s vehicle registration and driver licensing divisions: The First Operation (1.853 Billion IQD): Investigators identified that the head of the Fines and Thefts Division at the Vehicle Registration and Driver Licensing Complex—a police officer holding the rank of colonel who is currently detained—systematically altered 34,164 traffic violation receipts under his legal custody. He embezzled 1,853,200,000 IQD in cash receipts. Executing a warrant issued by the Saladin Investigation Judge for Integrity Cases, anti-corruption agents raided the directorate and seized the physical originals of all 34,164 manipulated receipts. The Second Operation (339.135 Million IQD): Further forensic audits revealed a parallel scheme executed by a second detained officer, also holding the rank of colonel. The suspect manipulated on-the-spot traffic citation forms and doctored ledger remittances, embezzling 339,135,000 IQD.The team seized 22,000 altered payment vouchers, specifically official standard revenue forms “Account 38” and “Account 68”. The Commission confirmed that legal proceedings have expanded to include three additional supervisory officers: a brigadier general and two colonels. The senior officers face prosecution for dereliction of supervisory duty and failing to verify fine remittances, negligence that allowed the multi-billion-dinar fraud to persist undetected. Formal seizure records, confiscated ledgers, and forensic documentary evidence were submitted to the competent investigating judge.The cases are being prosecuted under Article 315 of the Iraqi Penal Code No. 111 of 1969, which governs the embezzlement of public funds by state officials and carries severe statutory penalties, as judicial authorities continue interrogations to identify all co-conspirators.