Dubai names fresh suspects in Hamas killing

[stranger81]

Dubai police on Wednesday said it had identified 15 more suspects involved in the assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, bringing to 26 the number of people sought by the authorities.

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Dubai police said it had also identified the use of 14 Mastercard credit cards issued by a US bank, MetaBank of Ohio, and two by IDT Finance of Gibraltar.

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Dubai also said Payoneer, a New York-based company, was involved in issuing some of the MetaBank credit cards used by the suspects, but did not say what exact role the company played.

Payoneer, which also has a branch in Israel, has worked with MetaBank to issue prepaid credit cards since February 2009. Yuval Tal, its chief executive, identifies himself as a former Israeli special forces soldier.

A spokeswoman for Payoneer said: ”We are aware of the news reports. We are cooperating with the bank and the authorities to explore the matter.”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9d28c070-2152-11df-a6b2-00144feab49a,s01=1.html

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So the company that issued most of the assassin's credit cards has a branch in Israel (its Tel Aviv R&D center), and its CEO is former IDF Special Forces.

Occam's Razor, anyone?

[stranger81]

1. More info on Payoneer.

Some customers see the approach to Web payout options that Payoneer provides as better than cash. In 2CheckOut.com's case, Payoneer's prepaid debit card, which carries the 2CO logo, lets that company pay its vendors by depositing the money due directly to the account of the person issued the card. "The challenge we had was how could we do this internationally," said oDesk CEO Gary Swort.

The growth of e-commerce and the continuing expansion of outsourcing and the remote workforce are fueling a new approach to paying for services. Internet-focused companies are replacing traditional online payment transactions with prepaid debit cards.

Payoneer is a startup firm that is pushing this concept of prepaid debit cards to leverage more Web payout services through the use of reloadable debit cards. Its CEO sees a strong demand for a new approach to handling business transactions over the Internet.

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"A real need exists for a low-cost, worldwide payment solution with responsive customer support tailored for online businesses," Yuval Tal, CEO of Payoneer, told the E-Commerce Times. "The payment process from Internet companies to individual payees is unique and requires many adjustments compared to the typical check-cutting process."

Tal started Payoneer to provide a new type of payment channel for e-commerce companies and workers. His goal is to solve problems in other payment methods, such as checks and wire transfers for international payroll.

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/61221.html

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Although the Israeli government has yet to confirm its role in the murder of Mahmoud al Mahbouh, the Dubai police have provided further evidence through financial records that connect the crime to Israel.

The company Payoneer Inc., based in New York, has been named in the case – a company that helps facilitate Taglit-Birthright Israel trips. Payoneer provides financial services for trip participants and as the Wall Street Journal reports, the company’s chief executive, Yuval Tal, is a former Israeli special-forces soldier.

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Dubai also identified a company called Payoneer Inc., based in New York, though it wasn’t clear what precise role authorities believe that company played. In a chart released to reporters, authorities suggested the company distributed the cards on behalf of MetaBank.

According to its Web site, Payoneer offers online payment solutions, including arranging for employers to pay overseas workers through money transfers into prepaid MasterCard debit-card accounts. Payoneer is based in New York, but has offices in Tel Aviv.

The company’s chief executive, Yuval Tal, appeared as a commentator on the Lebanon war in 2006 on Fox News, identifying himself as a former Israeli special-forces soldier. Mr. Tal wasn’t available to comment.

http://warincontext.org/2010/02/24/dubai-money-trail-le... /


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Payoneer's R&D center is in Tel Aviv:

Founded in 2005, Payoneer Inc. provides fully-hosted prepaid MasterCard solutions for organizations that need to remit payments to remote, dispersed populations worldwide. Payoneer's turnkey prepaid card platform enables companies of all sizes to optimize their payments delivery by replacing traditional payment methods with prepaid MasterCard cards and recurring electronic transactions. Payoneer is a registered MSP with MasterCard Worldwide and an approved partner of Meta Payment Systems®, a division of MetaBank. Payoneer is headquartered in New York and maintains its R&D center in Tel Aviv, Israel. Payoneer is privately held with venture funding from Carmel Ventures, Greylock Partners and Crossbar Capital. For more information, please visit www.payoneer.com

http://www.pr-inside.com/payoneer-selected-by-new-york-...

[aquart]

2. Does Occam have two razors?

Because the only known identifications in this mess so far have been FATAH. Two clearly identified Palestinian Authority members. Not that they have any reason to kill Hamas leaders, lol.

But seriously, 26 people for ONE killing? And more pending??? WHAT DID THEY DO? What was the flow chart for this bloated operation?

And these were prepaid cards? Which pretty much anybody can get for just, you know, cash?

Do R&D centers issue credit cards? ALL the credit cards from one place? God, that's just so LAZY.

You see a razor, I see unconnected polka dots all over the place.

[stranger81]

4. I think we all know that there isn't any evidence in the world that would satisfy you

of Israel's involvement.

[aquart]

6. Honey, I don't care if Mossad killed this guy.

I'm offended by the sloppy operation.

Dubai says they've identified more of the false passport users. IF THEY ARE MOSSAD OR ISRAELI OR KNOWN SYMPATHIZERS, why haven't they triumphantly said so?

And as the witlessness of the operation becomes more clear, I'm beginning to twitch because I had a friend in the area last year who was traveling back and forth from Jerusalem to the West Bank with huge pro-Palestinian sympathies. SO I WANT THOSE DOTS CONNECTED TO MAKE SURE I HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

Supposition is NOT evidence. I want to know for sure.

[aquart]

5. I just remembered something.

It is my odd fate that my two best friends are pro-Palestinian, pro-Arab anything. One of them was in Jerusalem last year off and on, visiting her daughter who was living in Ramallah regularly. REGULARLY. Passing thru checkpoints like they were butter. Japanese passport for the mother, Japanese and American for the daughter.

I'm thinking it probably wasn't that hard to pick up prepaid Israeli credit cards for Fatah sympathizers traveling to and from the West Bank.

[stranger81]

3. WSJ has also picked this up, and is offering more details:

Dubai police identified cards issued by Britain's Nationwide Building Society, IDT Finance of Gilbraltar, and Germany's DZ Bank AG. A Nationwide spokesman told the Associated Press that bank officials were "investigating the reports and have no further comments." The other European companies weren't reachable late Wednesday.

Dubai also identified a company called Payoneer Inc., based in New York, though it wasn't clear what precise role authorities believe that company played. In a chart released to reporters, authorities suggested the company distributed the cards on behalf of MetaBank.

According to its Web site, Payoneer offers online payment solutions, including arranging for employers to pay overseas workers through money transfers into prepaid MasterCard debit-card accounts. Payoneer is based in New York, but has offices in Tel Aviv.

The company's chief executive, Yuval Tal, appeared as a commentator on the Lebanon war in 2006 on Fox News, identifying himself as a former Israeli special-forces soldier. Mr. Tal wasn't available to comment.

The company is privately held, according to a news release issued by the firm earlier this week. In a statement, tThe company said: "We are aware of the news reports. We are cooperating with the bank and the authorities to explore the matter."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704240004575085162815073170.html

[aquart]

7. So the credit cards were NOT from one source.

Well, I feel slightly better. The ineptitude of getting them from one place would have been mind-boggling.