The National Criminal Intelligence Directorate (DNIC) of Argentina has uncovered illegal immigration linked to terrorist activities after dismantling a complex transnational network operating in Mar del Plata, Argentina, through immigration fraud.
This organization, active since 2022 and led by Egyptian national Hodina Hussein, employed fraudulent tactics such as sham marriages and misuse of the “refugee” status to secure residency and citizenship for Arab migrants.
The investigation revealed a convergence between organized crime and terrorism, as the network provided logistical support and was found to have connections with a former Al-Qaeda operative who sought asylum. The DNIC initiated the case in March 2024, leading to formal charges confirmed by Federal Court Number 3 in Mar del Plata.
In the mentioned Argentine locality, seven raids were conducted, resulting in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of a considerable arsenal consisting of nine sophisticated firearms, along with ammunition and gunpowder.
The Transnational Criminal Network with Terrorist Links
A coordinated operation by the National Criminal Intelligence Directorate (DNIC) of Argentina, carried out in conjunction with the Argentine Naval Prefecture (PNA) in March 2024, dismantled a transnational criminal organization that operated since at least 2022, revealing illegal immigration with terrorist connections.
The network, based in Mar del Plata, was involved in the illegal trafficking of migrants from the Middle East, facilitating their unlawful entry and residency in the country through methods like simulated marriages, providing fake addresses, and evading immigration controls.
This case of illegal immigration linked to terrorism began with an investigation triggered by the detection of an Egyptian national, Abdelmoaty Elbagoury, who applied for refuge in 2022 and reportedly had ties to a former Al-Qaeda operative. This connection prompted the intervention of specialized prosecutors such as UFECO and PROTEX, culminating in seven simultaneous raids in Mar del Plata, Santa Clara del Mar, and Buenos Aires.
During the operation, four key individuals were arrested—one Syrian, one Tunisian, one Moroccan, and one Argentine—with two others being charged. An arsenal was seized, including sophisticated military-grade weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition and reloading equipment, along with cash, electronic devices, and documentation.
Origin and Development of the Investigation
This judicial case of illegal immigration with terrorist links emerged from an alert raised by the National Criminal Intelligence Directorate (DNIC), highlighting concerns regarding the aforementioned Egyptian citizen who entered Argentina in November 2022 seeking “refugee” status.
International intelligence reports indicated that Abdelmoaty Elbagoury had contact with a former operative of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda, who was wanted by Egyptian authorities.
Subsequently, Elbagoury initiated the process to obtain Argentine citizenship at the National Migration Directorate (DNM) office in Mar del Plata, claiming to be married to a local resident and working for a Moroccan citizen who was also charged.
These elements led to the initiation of a complex joint investigation led by several federal prosecutors specialized in organized crime, terrorism, and the illegal trafficking of migrants.
The investigation was formalized in the federal justice system, and fieldwork, data analysis, and phone taps—some in Arabic—were assigned to the Central Investigations Division of the PNA.
Structure and Modus Operandi of the Organization
The investigation uncovered a structured network primarily composed of individuals from Arab countries who had acquired Argentine nationality. This group, led by Hodina Hussein, an Egyptian recruiter, employed a sophisticated array of illegal methods since 2022 to facilitate the entry, stay, and settlement of foreign citizens for a fee.
Simulated Marriages:
The network organized sham marriages between migrants and Argentine citizens to help them initiate residency proceedings and potentially obtain citizenship.
Irregular Entry:
They provided routes for entry into the country through unauthorized border crossings or alternative paths to avoid official checks.
Evasion of Controls:
Actions were implemented to evade immigration controls, even when entries were made through formal channels, allowing for irregular stay.
Fraudulent Use of “Refugee” Status:
The request for asylum was used as a mechanism to obtain precarious residency and advance migration procedures, circumventing standard administrative checks.
False Logistics:
The organization provided fake addresses and created fictitious employment relationships to lend an appearance of legality to the migrants’ situations.
International Coordination:
Members maintained frequent communication with contacts in the Middle East, acting as links to coordinate movements and manage human trafficking operations.
The Involved Parties
The investigation identified several individuals fulfilling key roles within the criminal structure, leading to the arrest of four of them.
Hodina Hussein: Egyptian national identified as the main recruiter and organizer of the network.
Abdelmoaty Elbagoury: Egyptian whose connection to a former Al-Qaeda operative sparked the investigation. He used a sham marriage to Graciela Elizabeth Ramil to obtain residency.
Hamza Amdouni: Tunisian, spouse of Marianela Martínez, and collaborator in immigration logistics.
Aziz Nouhar: Moroccan, employer of Elbagoury and witness in the sham marriages.
Walter Abdel Tarabay: facilitator of illegal activities and witness in Elbagoury’s marriage.
Graciela Elizabeth Ramil: Argentine national who participated as a spouse in Elbagoury’s simulated marriage.
Four others of various Eastern nationalities and one Argentine were also arrested.
Significance of the Illegal Immigration Case with Terrorist Links
The disbandment of this network represents a significant advancement in the fight against transnational organized crime and is a success for Argentine national security. The case illustrates the complex convergence between the illegal trafficking of migrants and potential logistical support for terrorist activities, confirming a working hypothesis of security agencies.
The disarticulation of this illegal immigration with terrorist ties was made possible through the support of Patricia Bullrich, Karina Milei, and Javier Milei, enabling an effective response from security and intelligence forces.