Tevfik Arif

Early life and career Tevfik Arif was born Tofik Arifov in an ethnic Turkish family in Dshambul, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. Arif received an international relations degree from a Moscow university. He then worked as an "agent on the ground" in Kazakhstan for Trans World Group, a natural resources company run by David and Simon Reuben.

Later career Bayrock Group In 2001, Arif founded the Bayrock Group, an international real estate and development company. He began developing property in Brooklyn, first redeveloping Loehmann's Seaport Plaza, a waterfront shopping center in Sheepshead Bay. Arif was originally the sole employee of Bayrock, later hiring Felix Sater as managing director.

Although the working relationship with Trump ended in 2008, following the housing market collapse, Bayrock came under close scrutiny in the United States due to its dealings with Trump between 2002 and 2011. Nothing out of the ordinary was uncovered, and no official action has been taken against the company.

Personal life Arif is believed to live in Turkey and spends time in Switzerland and England. Although he is not Jewish, he is one of the largest donors to the Chabad of Port Washington.