Qusay Hussein's Central Bank Heist

On March 18, 2003, Qusay Hussein, son of Saddam Hussein, executed a significant bank heist at the Central Bank of Iraq. Accompanied by an assistant, Qusay arrived at 4 AM, carrying a handwritten letter from Saddam Hussein that authorized him to withdraw any desired amount.

The Heist Details

Three tractor-trailers were used to transport $900 million in American $100 notes and tens of millions of euros. The operation was remarkably swift; the bank was emptied within two hours, with bank staff reportedly assisting.

The stolen cash represented approximately a quarter of Iraq's total cash reserves.

Timing and Aftermath

This massive theft occurred just hours before the United States initiated its bombing campaign for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This theft occurred just hours before the United States initiated its bombing campaign for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Qusay and his father subsequently disappeared as US troops invaded Iraq. Qusay and his brother Uday were later killed in a firefight with US paratroopers in July 2003.

Qusay's Profile

Qusay Hussein was considered his father's reliable son and was being prepared as his successor. He was perceived as quiet and calculating, a stark contrast to his brother Uday, who was seen as erratic and sadistic.

Unaccounted Funds

Much of the stolen cash has since been recovered, but an estimated $132 million remains unaccounted for.

It is speculated that this unrecovered sum may have been used to finance terrorism.

Separately, an additional $6 billion sent from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to Iraq, intended as seized wealth returned after Hussein's ousting, also went missing after its arrival in the country.