Book Title: The Black Market Concierge: Sanction Busting, Smuggling & Spying for America
Author: Barry Oberholzer
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 177 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Amazon
Release date: November 2016
Tour dates: Sept 25 to Oct 13, 2017
Content Rating: PG (Violence)
Book Description:
Barry Oberholzer’s secret life as a confidential informant, infiltrating international organized crime syndicates and sanction-busting activity hit headlines in 2012. Oberholzer reported an array of vital intelligence to the CIA and multiple intelligence agencies across the world. For years, he has worked across the Middle East and behind the scenes as a confidential informant making connections, extracting valuable intelligence, and facing off against America's greatest enemy at every turn.
In The Black Market Concierge, he opens a window into his double life as an informant; informing on the role of key players including major corporations, crime syndicates, politicians and government officials in high-value international smuggling operations.
After exposing corruption at the highest levels of government in South Africa, he is ready to give a no holds barred account of what it is like to live the life of a high-level, confidential informant.
His memoir is a searingly honest account of a boy aviation enthusiast who cascaded into the world of international espionage and how it ultimately sent him in search of salvation in his devout Christian faith. It is a testimony that will move even the most cold hearted.
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Meet the Author:
Born in Houston, Texas, a former professional rugby player and current CrossFit and Ironman athlete, Barry is the founder of TerrorMate app and is a counter-terrorism and intelligence expert. Formerly Barry served as a confidential informant for Department of Homeland Security, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Belgium Customs Intelligence and HM Revenue & Customs Intelligence in the United Kingdom.
One of his most impactful successes was in his identification of Iranian sanction busting syndicates who smuggled US manufactured aircraft and parts to Iran which led to the arrests of several prominent international businessmen. He also had numerous successes in major illicit cigarette seizures in Europe.
Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter
Guest Blog
How Real Is a Nuclear Terror Attack - Barry Oberholzer
Jack Bauer from 24 spent numerous episodes chasing down nuclear terrorists. Red from Blacklist chased down nuclear terrorist trying to get their hands on a tactical nuclear weapon and NCIS: Los Angeles regularly has nuclear terror as a plot. But how real is the threat of a nuclear terror strike outside of Hollywood?
As the international nuclear summit ended in Washington last week, the big topic of discussion was how to stop terrorist groups like ISIS getting their hands on nuclear material. The toxic combination ISIS has of thousands of foreign fighters, some which are well educated, combined with the vast amount of cash they have available, makes this threat very real, even closer than some people may think.
EMPW Threat/Nuclear Missile Strike
An electromagnetic pulse weapon (EMPW) is a nuclear weapon that detonates in the atmosphere which will trigger a series of electromagnetic pulses and fry everything electronic. It will darken everything and take us back to the dark ages. No cell reception, no wifi, no stock exchange, nothing. However, this will require access to either an intercontinental ballistic missile or a platform to launch such a missile from. For a terrorist group to get access to this, they must either steal it from a very well guarded facility or make a deal with a rogue nation like North Korea. Although this is a plausible scenario, it is probably highly unlikely. The same goes for a nuclear missile strike, highly unlikely that a terror group will be able to pull this off without any detection.
The Dirty Bomb
A dirty bomb is not a suicide vest which fell into the mud.
It is in fact where radioactive material is obtained from either a nuclear or medical facility through a radicalised or blackmailed employee. The terror group then adds this material to conventional explosives, like the 4kg of TNT found in a ISIS apartment and once detonated will radioactively contaminate at least 10 square miles of city infrastructure and make it uninhabitable for years.
These materials can also be acquired through the black market and ISIS has sufficient funding to buy enough material to make such a dirty bomb. This scenario is much more likely and perhaps have already been planned.
The fear of a nuclear terror attack however is already a victory for the terrorists. Such an attack will be unprecedented and will create worldwide havoc.
Like the 9/11 attacks, a nuclear terror attack will change the world. Forever.
In order to prevent that the heart of a modern city becomes a ghost town after a nuclear attack, it is imperative that further steps needs to be taken to secure access to these materials in areas like South East Asia and Africa, where security of such materials, are not always as strict as it should be, which makes it more accessible and brings the terrorist groups one step closer to the ultimate attack.
Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Oct 21
What an interesting life!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the Guest Blog. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for you and your book!!
It looks intriguing, thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! I really enjoyed reading the guest post! This book sounds like a very interesting and intriguing read! Looking forward to checking it out!
ReplyDeleteWhat an intriguing and adventurous life to lead! I'm looking forward to reading your story. Congratulations on the book and best of luck to you with all of your future endeavors.
ReplyDelete