Feds Look To Seize Crypto From Man Involved In Investigation That Has Natick Ties

MASSACHUSETTS — Federal authorities are looking to recover nearly $600,000 in cryptocurrency from a man involved in an investigation related to an Iranian-backed drone strike investigation.

The investigation also involved a Natick-based engineer.

• Read more: MA Man Charged In Iran-Backed Drone Strike Investigation: FBI

This effort is unrelated to the local engineer, however, as is targeted at Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, also known as Mohammad Abedini, 38, of Tehran, Iran.

Abedini has been charged with "conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws," federal officials said.

He was detained by Italian authorities on Dec. 16, 2024, but was later released in January 2025. He is believed to be in Iran, officials said.

Abedini is also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members who were killed by a one-way attack drone on a military base in Jordan. He also owns the front company in Sweden prosecutors alleged Sadeghi sent the information to.

The United States Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $584,741 in cryptocurrency alleged to belong to Abedini.

Their reasoning is explained below:

"U.S. law authorizes the forfeiture of all assets of individuals or entities engaged in planning or perpetrating a federal crime of terrorism against the United States, citizens or residents of the United States, or their property and all assets, foreign or domestic, affording any person a source of influence over any such entity. U.S. law further authorizes the forfeiture of all assets acquired or maintained by any person with the intent and for the purpose of supporting, planning, conducting, or concealing any federal crime of terrorism against the United States, citizens or residents of the United States, or their property."