Explore every episode of the podcast The Dark Money Files
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparency and trust issues: the secret life of property | 29 May 2025 | 00:18:33 | |
In this episode, we chat about a recently published report by Transparency International (see: https://www.transparency.org.uk/news/trust-issues-tackling-final-frontier-secret-property-ownership) and how it impacts on our ability to identify the true ownership of real estate in the UK (and elsewhere). Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Trigger warning! | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:17:24 | |
We bring you our latest deep dive into the world of crazy company incorporations and weird worldwide coincidences by way of North London, New Zealand and a much loved British sit-com. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| The sharing of suspicion | 16 Mar 2025 | 00:17:41 | |
SARs! Search and rescue services? Subject access requests? Sudden acute respiratory syndrome? No - suspicious activity reports! That's what we are talking about this time. And there's a lot more to them than you might think. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Don't let mules make an ass of your firm | 08 Feb 2025 | 00:19:38 | |
In this episode we look at the FCA's latest thematic review of the National Fraud Database and money mule account detection tools and summarise what we think firms can take from it and what actions they might consider taking in response. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| We're scamming, we hope you like scamming too... | 15 Dec 2024 | 00:15:23 | |
"...Because every day we pay the price, we’re the living sacrifice" Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Unheard voices - fine outcomes | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:18:56 | |
In this episode we look at some of the links between three recent enforcement actions. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Financial Crime Training - Mind the gap! | 14 Oct 2024 | 00:16:37 | |
We turn our attention to the requirement to train relevant staff on all matters anti-financial crime. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| The (out)source code | 10 Sep 2024 | 00:15:18 | |
In this episode we turn our attention to the tricky subject of outsourcing. We were going to get someone else to do it for us but we couldn't find a suitable candidate. :) Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Hot spots and intelligence 2 | 16 Aug 2024 | 00:18:40 | |
Hot spots and intelligence 2 In this second episode we look more broadly at the genesis of intelligence led policing, how it works and how compelling it is to draw parallels with our world of anti-financial crime. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Hot spots and intelligence | 03 Jul 2024 | 00:18:06 | |
In this episode we report on a recent visit to the European Crime Analysis conference in Copenhagen and draw parallels between the work of law enforcement and those working in compliance. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Are corporate entities the Swiss army knife of financial crime? | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:17:10 | |
In this episode we explore some of the many different ways in which corporate entities can be used to engage in financial crime – although, as far as we are aware, they aren’t much use in removing stones from horse’s hooves. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Organised Crime - two's company but three's an OCG | 25 May 2024 | 00:20:14 | |
We dive into the details of OCGs and how they use corporate networks to launder their ill-gotten gains - and the clues they leave behind. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| A proliferation explanation conversation | 07 May 2024 | 00:18:28 | |
In this episode we turn our attention to the thorny subject of proliferation financing and provide a basic explainer of what it's about and why it's important. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| It’s payback time! – the new UK regime for mandatory scam reimbursement | 26 Apr 2024 | 00:22:26 | |
With a forthcoming new requirement which makes it mandatory for UK payment service providers (PSPs) to reimburse the victims of some types of fraud, we look at the rules and how they are likely to play out. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| The democratisation of crime | 22 Mar 2024 | 00:15:53 | |
Taking a slightly different direction from our normal content, we step back and look how the landscape of crime has changed over the years, and how in the process it has become democratised. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Bar Wars - Attack of the Clones | 11 Feb 2024 | 00:20:38 | |
Following the news that nearly 800 restaurants in the UK have been cloned over the last few weeks, we thought we’d bring you the story behind the story. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| It's over to EU | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:21:44 | |
It’s over to EU After a succession of episodes looking at the UK financial crime landscape, we shift our focus over the channel to Europe and the proposed changes to EU AML legislation. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Are PEPs domestic? | 15 Jan 2024 | 00:17:06 | |
Following some recent banking shenanigans, there’s been a rapidly introduced change in the UK law relating to PEPs. We think it needs to be put into a global context. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| ECCTA Part 2 - SLAPPS, Fraud, Crypto and information sharing | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:21:21 | |
In this second part of our review of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, we look at the provisions relating to failing to prevent fraud, crypto assets, information sharing and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Companies House - it's time to Act | 19 Nov 2023 | 00:20:39 | |
Following the enactment of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, reform is on the way to Companies House. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| A close shave – Ockam’s razor and plausibility | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:21:44 | |
In this episode we walk the path from certainty to impossibility, via probable, possible and plausible. A conversation involving wind turbines, zebras and UFOs. You need to listen to understand! Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Ownership, control, or influence? UBOs and further complications | 15 Sep 2023 | 00:19:27 | |
In this second episode devoted to ultimate beneficial ownership, we delve into the world of exchange traded companies and the esoterica that is trusts. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Ownership, control, or influence? It’s time for the UBO question! | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:23:39 | |
In this episode we, somewhat belatedly, begin to tackle the thorny issue of identifying ultimate beneficial ownership. And we do so by pointing out that the “ownership” part of UBO is a bit misleading because it doesn’t cover control or influence. But then a UBOCI is a bit of a mouthful. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| A Neidle in a tax scam | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:16:44 | |
In this episode we walk through a recent, in-depth report into probable VAT and employment tax fraud reported on by Dan Neidle of the Tax Policy Associates, in partiucalr, how various different proessionals, individuals both here and abroad, and social media websites can be used, wittingly or unwittingly, to further the fraudsters aims. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| A view from the Farage side | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:20:49 | |
We couldn't let the recent Farage brouhaha with Coutts go by without some sort of comment. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| You find what you look for! | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:16:33 | |
In this episode we ask "What have the dinosaurs ever done for us?" Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Bias and noise – how they differ and why it matters | 20 Jun 2023 | 00:21:10 | |
In this episode we take a (hopefully) user-friendly trip down the statistical road and explore some of the common pitfalls that can be encountered in preparing management information. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| MI oh MI What a Wonderful Day | 03 Jun 2023 | 00:20:36 | |
In this episode we look at the thorny issue of Management Information. What is it and what’s it for. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Show me the money! | 01 May 2023 | 00:20:11 | |
In this episode we bring you an update about regulatory expectations in respect of cash deposits. Along with a brief history of the UK’s Post Office dating back to the 17th century and the somewhat surprising news that it is still possible to make unlimited daily cash deposits of up to £20,000 with no form of identification. More information on KURE (brought to you by our sponsors Deep PoolmLtd) can be found at www.deep-pool.com. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| VATs the problem? | 13 Apr 2023 | 00:15:43 | |
In the first episode of season 10, we turn our attention to an extraordinary story about online retail sales, China, VAT and HMRC. Despite all the apparent jargon, it is just an everyday tale of 11,000 companies all suddenly deciding to register to a private address where the owner had never heard of them. Which didn’t stop him being sent £500,000 in debt enforcement letters. And, in a first for The Dark Money Files, this podcast is now sponsored which will secure the ongoing future of the podcast and ensure we can continue to deliver a quality product. Here’s a link to our sponsor’s website: https://www.deep-pool.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Investing in testing 2 - Is it in the test? | 27 Mar 2023 | 00:21:47 | |
In the second part of our look at multiple choice tests we talk about how some fairly basic statistical analysis can help to validate their effectiveness. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Investing in Testing - why assessment matters: Part 1 | 09 Mar 2023 | 00:21:50 | |
Does your assessment programme correlate to individual performance? And if not, why not? Part one of a journey on the road to cognition. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| KYC - The Canary in the Coal Mine | 20 Feb 2023 | 00:24:06 | |
In this episode we talk about using our (metaphorical) little yellow bird as a predictor of the overall effectiveness (or lack of it) of your anti-financial crime framework. Would your KYC fall off its perch at the first whiff of trouble? Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Dr Blake’s casebook – a roundup of stories you may have missed | 25 Jan 2023 | 00:20:04 | |
In this episode we work through three of the smaller regulatory actions from last year which nevertheless contain nuggets of gold, successfully panned by Ray. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Can we have the Bill please? | 16 Jan 2023 | 00:18:33 | |
In something of a departure from our normal content, we review the passage of the Economic Crime and Corporate Reform Bill through the UK parliamentary system and use the opportunity to explain in more detail just how the scrutiny and passing of legislation works in practice. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Trivia - when three paths meet | 03 Dec 2022 | 00:21:03 | |
In this episode we weave together crypto, courts and controversy when Sam Bankman Fried meets the Court of Justice of the European Union and a millionaire underwear Baroness. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| AOB – recent publications and guidance | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:18:50 | |
It’s been a little while so we thought we’d do a bit of a catch up on some recent publications from Wolfsberg, the FATF and the Finnish FSA. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Fraud part three: Watcha gonna do about it! | 17 Oct 2022 | 00:16:16 | |
In our final part of our look at fraud, we explain, in general terms, current approaches to how best to compensate the victims and deny the fraudsters (as well as explaining briefly, why the gap since the last episode). Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Your company is not welcome here! | 22 Aug 2022 | 00:15:49 | |
We interrupt our suite of podcasts on fraud to bring you a special episode relating to the human cost of fake company incorporations. Working with various different media outlets, we’ve helped bring to light some of the stories relating to people who unwittingly fall foul of fake company incorporators. Listen, for example, to this recent episode of BBCs You and Yours:
Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Fraud part two: The grift that keeps on grifting | 25 Jul 2022 | 00:20:46 | |
In this second part of our series on fraud we delve into some of the different types of fraud. We proffer some “mildly salacious” examples, along with others which are rather more serious. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Fraud, intents and purposes | 25 Jun 2022 | 00:15:36 | |
In this pun laden episode, we start to delve into the world of fraud. More to follow… Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Synthetic data and real-world applications: The FCA call for input | 29 May 2022 | 00:17:09 | |
The UK regulator, in common with most regulators around the world, is keen to understand the role that synthetic data might play, alongside Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. It has made a call for input which closes on 22 June. In this episode we review the current state of play, the uses for synthetic data and why contributing to this call is so important. Link to the call: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/call-for-input/synthetic-data-to-support-financial-services-innovation.pdf Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Tax: Avoidance, evasion, and small umbrellas | 27 May 2022 | 00:23:19 | |
In this episode we tackle the thorny issue of tax avoidance, aggressive tax avoidance and tax evasion. We also take a closer look at one of the schemes which falls somewhere on that spectrum: mini-umbrella companies. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| Selfies, Swipes and Security - authentication in the digital age | 05 May 2022 | 00:21:25 | |
In this episode we look at all things digital and how it is changing the landscape of authentication whilst making KYC more dynamic. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| A view from the dark side – Part 3 | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:21:14 | |
To conclude this trilogy of podcasts looking at the world from the money launderers point of view, Ray and Graham take a deep dive into trade-based money laundering and trade finance. They revisit the research conducted by John Zdanowicz – copy of the report referred to can be found here. $5000 tweezers and enriched uranium at $15/kg make for a lively episode! Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| A view from the dark side - Part 2 | 03 Mar 2022 | 00:15:49 | |
In this second part of Graham & Ray’s trip to the dark side, and with almost prescient timing, they explain how to set up a global money laundering machine. Please don’t try this at home. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| A view from the dark side - Part 1 | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:19:06 | |
Having spent three years and 93 episodes reporting from the side of the great and the good, Ray and Graham move the focus to the view from the dark side. And it sounds like they had an inordinate amount of fun doing so! Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| NatWest Bank and HSBC: The King, his cleaner and the thirsty aspidistra | 27 Jan 2022 | 00:27:29 | |
We bring this trilogy of episodes around transaction monitoring failures to an end with a final review of the NatWest case and a comparison with the recent fine levied against HSBC. What’s that got to do with a King, his cleaner and a thirsty aspidistra? You’ll need to listen to find out! Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| NatWest Bank and the Bradford Laundromat - part 2 | 10 Jan 2022 | 00:26:53 | |
In this episode we bring you the second part of our deep dive into the criminal prosecution of NatWest through the lens of the Statement of Facts which accompanied the guilty verdict. This time, amongst other things, we cover smelly banknotes and bin bags full of cash. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||
| NatWest Bank and the Bradford Laundromat - part 1 | 03 Jan 2022 | 00:27:29 | |
In this episode we bring you part one of a deep dive into the criminal prosecution of NatWest Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dark-money-files-ltd/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dark_files or see our website at https://www.thedarkmoneyfiles.com/ | |||