How Did Venezuela’s Oil Riches End up in Swiss Banks?
Repressed by Venezuela's government on one side. Muzzled by Swiss banking secrecy laws on the other. Yet against these odds, a team of reporters exposed how corrupt Venezuelan elites stashed stolen oil profits in Credit Suisse accounts.In this episode, Nick Wallis interviews OCCRP editor Nathan Jaccard and Armando.Info editor-in-chief Valentina Lares on how a leak of Credit Suisse customer data sparked a global investigation revealing how oil officials convicted of corruption stashed their millions in Switzerland’s notoriously secretive banking sector. We also hear from Latin American financial fraud expert Steven Bodzin about the story’s implications for Venezuela and Swiss banks, how Venezuela’s ongoing crisis could end, and who is to blame for the country’s endemic corruption.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa, at Rethink Audio.Read the investigationBlack Gold in Swiss Vaults: Venezuelan Elites Hid Stolen Oil Money in Credit SuisseThis week’s guestsNathan Jaccard - @NJaccardValentina Lares - @valetinalaresSteven Bodzin - @guacamayanTranscriptRead the transcript on the OCCRP websiteMore information on OCCRPKeep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption with our weekly newsletterDonate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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39:52
Sanctioning an Oligarch is Not an Easy Task: Searching for Usmanov’s Millions
As Russian forces escalated their war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022, Western governments scrambled to sanction oligarchs connected to Putin’s war machine. Yet the task is far from simple when Kremlin-connected tycoons hide their billions in offshore trusts and Swiss bank accounts — and even behind the names of their family members.In this episode, Nick Wallis talks with OCCRP editing duo Miranda Patrucic and Ilya Lozovsky, discussing how billionaire Alisher Usmanov concealed his fortune via secretive companies, business associates and family members — including Swiss bank accounts in his sister’s name despite her seemingly modest trade as a gynecologist.We also hear from British Member of Parliament Kevin Hollinrake on how Russia’s invasion sparked a campaign to clamp down on dirty money washed through the U.K., as well as how effective Western sanctions have been in choking off the lifelines to Putin’s military campaign.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.Read the investigations:Sanctioning an Oligarch Is Not So Easy: Why the Money Trail of Alisher Usmanov, One of Russia’s Wealthiest Men, Is Difficult to FollowOCCRP Russian Asset TrackerThis week’s guests:Miranda PatrucicIlya LozovskyKevin HollinrakeTranscript:Read the transcript on the OCCRP website.More information OCCRP:Keep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption with our weekly newsletterDonate[00:00] Introduction[02:04] Miranda Patrucic explains why she is interested in investigating oligarchs — and Alisher Usmanov in particular[03:50] How did the investigation into Usmanov come about?[06:16] What are the FinCEN Files — and what did they reveal about Usmanov?[07:55] An explainer of suspicious activity reports and how they’re supposed to stop financial crime[10:36] How Usmanov’s family is connected to the story[13:04] Ilya Lozovsky explains how OCCRP told the story via the Russian Asset Tracker[15:36] Did Western sanctions against Usmanov work against him — and Vladimir Putin’s war effort in Ukraine?[19:00] Why have there been so many large-scale data leaks in recent years?[22:07] Kevin Hollinrake on whether tackling money laundering in the U.K. would harm the nation’s economy[25:45] Updates on how the U.K. is tackling flows of dirty money[27:33] What needs to be done to clamp down on dirty money in the U.K.?[33:55] Kevin Hollinrake on whether Western sanctions have been effective against the Russian invasion of Ukraine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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38:26
Russian Meddling in Catalonia: A Playbook In Destabilization
A mysterious Russian offers Catalonia’s president $500 billion and 10,000 armed soldiers to make the break from Spain and create a cryptocurrency haven. This in the days running up to an historic vote to declare independence from Spain.In this episode, Nick Wallis talks with journalists Antonio Baquero, Marc Marginedas and Lorenzo Bagnoli on how they tracked down the man pro-independence leaders called “Putin’s envoy” across Spain, Italy, and Russia — unveiling his past as a Russian diplomat with a history of representing the Kremlin.We also hear from Institute for Statecraft senior fellow Nico de Pedro on how Russia used Catalonia’s independence movement in an attempt to destabilize Spain, as well as how ordinary Catalans felt when interference from the Kremlin was revealed.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producers were Lindsay Riley and Ollie Peart, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa, at Rethink Audio.Read the investigation:https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/fueling-secession-promising-bitcoins-how-a-russian-operator-urged-catalonian-leaders-to-break-with-madridThis week’s guestsAntonio Baquero - @antoniobaqueroiMarc Marginedas - @marcmarginedasLorenzo Bagnoli - @Lorenzo_BagnoliNico de Pedro - @nicolasdepedroTranscriptRead the transcript on the OCCRP website.More Information on OCCRPKeep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption with our weekly newsletter.Donate.[00:00] Introduction[03:40] Antonio Baquera and Marc Marginedas explain how they began investigating Russian interest in Catalonia[05:26] A profile of Victor Terredellas, key figure in the story[08:38] How “Putin’s envoy” Nikolai Sadovnikov came to reporters’ attention[11:52] Why are there ties between Catalonian independence leaders and the Russian government?[15:36] Lorenzo Bagnoli explains Sadovnikov’s past as a diplomat in Italy[20:41] A profile of Jordi Sardà Bonvehí, who accompanied Sadovnikov during his meeting with Catalonia’s separatist leader Carles Puigdemont[23:42] How the reporters managed to interview Sadovnikov[26:30] The effect of the story on the Catalonian independence movement, Italian mafia and Carlos Puigdemont[31:23] Nico de Pedro explains why he and others are against Catalonian independence[34:02] How the Catalonian independence movement is used by the Russian government to destabilize Spain[36:56] How do ordinary Catalans feel about Russian interference in Catalonian independence? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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40:26
Exposing a Former Czech PM’s Offshore Finances
Pavla Holcová was greeted with an avalanche of threats when she woke up one morning. Her country’s former prime minister had publicly accused her of being a paid agent to undermine his re-election campaign.In this episode you’ll hear about the dangers OCCRP’s investigative journalists face when trying to get to the truth, the horrific abuse they face and how the OCCRP helps to protect them and their sources.Host Nick Wallis talks with Pavla and fellow OCCRP editor Pete Jones about how an investigation exposing ex-Czech PM Andrej Babiš’ undeclared overseas property deals led to a very public attack by the politician and media mogul. Pavla recounts her encounters with Babiš — and what kept her going in the face of horrific abuse from his supporters.We also hear from Prague-based journalist Will Nattrass on why Babiš is seen as a threat to press freedom, corruption in the Czech Republic, and where the country’s politics could head in the future.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.Read the investigation:Anti-Graft Czech Prime Minister Used Offshores to Disguise Funds for French ChateauThis week’s guests:Pavla Holcová - @pafakPete Jones - @PSJones01Will NattrassTranscript:Read the transcript on the OCCRP website hereMore information on OCCRP:Keep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption with our weekly newsletterDonate[00:00] Introduction[02:23] Pavla Holcová and Pete Jones explain how their investigation into Andrej Babiš began[06:45] Pavla describes a public confrontation with Babiš[08:03] Pavla describes how Babiš targeted her on social media and what consequences she suffered[15:18] What kept Pavla going despite abuse from Babiš and his supporters[18:03] Pete explains what makes OCCRP distinct as a news organization[23:51] How OCCRP journalists prepare for and respond to threats[26:08] The consequence of the article for Babiš[27:11] Will Nattrass on Babiš, corruption and the direction of Czech politics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:51
Bleeding Trees: Tracking Illegal Loggers in Namibia
John Grobler’s Namibian holiday led him on an unexpected journey tailing trucks and loggers to expose the interests behind illegal logging, a lucrative and illegal business making millions for Chinese companies and local elites.In this episode Nick Wallis traces OCCRP’s investigation into who is killing the last of Namibia’s protected rosewood trees. We also hear from OCCRP journalist Khadija Sharife on how the tragic destruction of these prized forests fits into the wider looting of Africa’s natural resources.Finally, sustainability expert Dr. Clemens von Doderer analyzes the causes of Namibia’s illegal logging and what needs to be done to put an end to deforestation.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.Read the investigations:Felling Namibia’s Ancient Giants‘They Are Finishing the Trees’: Chinese Companies and Namibian Elites Make Millions Illegally Logging the Last RosewoodsThis week’s guestsJohn Grobler - @JohnGrblrKhadija Sharife - @khadijasharifeDr. Clemens von DodererTranscriptRead the transcript on the OCCRP website hereMore information on OCCRPKeep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption at OCCRP and sign up for our weekly newsletter.Follow on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest updates.Support investigative journalism in the public interest. Donate to OCCRP.[00:00] Introduction[02:33] Khadija explains why she commissioned an investigation into Namibian rosewood[05:18] John gives a crash course on Namibia[06:20] Why Chinese demand for rosewood trees is increasing[08:03] Why and how John began investigating rosewood logging[13:38] An explainer on CITES and why it’s important for threatened species[16:13] How Namibia’s political and legal system fuels illegal logging[18:55] What it’s like to take on a government as a lone journalist[20:25] Can the redwoods be saved?[24:33] Dr Clemens von Doderer explains the causes of illegal logging in Namibia[27:26] How can illegal logging be stopped? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About Dirty Deeds: Tales of Global Crime & Corruption
Are you ready to venture into the shadows? Dirty Deeds unravels the hidden stories of the fraud and deceit behind some of the biggest international scandals in recent years, told by the investigative journalists who uncovered them.We’ll bring you reporting from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a worldwide network of journalists who cross borders and bad guys to shine a bright light on some of the world’s most dangerous criminal networks. We’ll travel the globe from the oil fields of Venezuela to the rosewood forests of Namibia to the steppes of Central Asia. And don’t forget the posh London real estate where much of the dirty cash ends up. These are the inside stories of how the powerful, unscrupulous, and well-connected can acquire unimaginable wealth — and of what it takes to expose them.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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