John Deuss
 John Deuss  (businessman) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | ca. 1942 |
| Nationality | Netherlands |
"One of the most successful international wheeler-dealers of recent decades" who lived "a charmed life on the edge" | |
John Deuss has been termed "one of the most successful international wheeler-dealers of recent decades". He was "known best in oil trading and champion horseracing circles, [and] earned a massive fortune helping apartheid South Africa to bypass international sanctions."[1]
Sanctions evasion
"Along with US commodities pioneer Marc Rich, Deuss arranged ingenious evasions to bring secret Soviet and Iranian oil to the South African port of Durban, including false flags, doctored cargo papers and mid-sea cargo transshipments. Estimates vary widely as to how much Deuss and Rich earned during the period—according to one source, South Africa paid $22 billion in premiums for its oil supply, mainly to Deuss and Rich, from 1973 to 1984—but the best approximation is that Deuss himself earned between $280 million and $500 million."[1]
Internet Fraud
"Deuss, a 71-year-old Dutchman, agreed to pay $47 million to settle a grueling, seven-year battle with European authorities over an alleged Internet fraud scheme. Apropos to a charmed life on the edge, Deuss admitted no guilt in the July 30 deal. “The settlement is the result of pragmatic considerations,” he said in a statement issued by his office."[1] The fraud was ongoing for years.[2]
Connections
After Ted Shackley left the CIA in 1979, John Deuss helped him in oil deals.[citation needed]
