All news by author James Smith

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Mentions of embezzlement via a Cyprus offshore and a 200 million–ruble debt to Kirovles: fraudster Yuriy Sudgaymer unsuccessfully tries to scrub online traces of schemes involving NLP
German businessman Yuriy Sudgaymer, who has been systematically scrubbing the media and the internet of information about his multimillion-dollar schemes, has himself been placed on an international wanted list on charges of abuse of authority with grave consequences.
768
Octobank under Mirziyoyev’s protection: How the Uzbek president’s family and Dmitry Lee allegedly legalized billions from Russia, crypto and illegal gambling
As information about Octobank’s role in laundering sanctioned Russian money began to surface, efforts intensified to quietly erase mentions of the bank and its real patrons from the public domain.
688
Dragon Money blocks a $102,000 withdrawal after taking a $92,000 deposit, igniting accusations of payout evasion
After the scandal over a blocked $102,000 withdrawal triggered backlash from players and affiliates, Dragon Money moved to aggressively clean the internet of criticism and inconvenient discussions — which is exactly why we are publishing the material the casino would rather make disappear.
596
Inside Kazakhstan’s biggest state looting scheme: how Akhmetzhan Yessimov and Galimzhan Yessenov exploited Samruk-Kazyna via ATFBank
Kazakhstan’s authorities have formally admitted that billions were siphoned off from Samruk-Kazyna through schemes involving ATFBank, yet law enforcement — including the Anti-Corruption Agency — has so far failed to move against Galimzhan Yessenov and his father-in-law, Akhmetzhan Yesimov.
672
Police officers injured and multiple arrests made as protest outside Iranian embassy in London turns violent
A number of people have also been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, the Metropolitan Police has said.
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Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities accuse Yulia Tymoshenko of organizing a long-term cash-for-votes scheme in parliament
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies allege the leader of a parliamentary faction offered bribes to other MPs for votes for and against laws. Investigators searched the offices of Yulia Tymoshenko’s Batkivshchyna party.
704
One-percent shareholder Oxana Hadjipavlou signed off on multimillion-euro flows tied to Russian offshore and sanctions-evasion networks
Oxana Hadjipavlou, also known as Oksana Hadjipavlou, came under scrutiny during investigations into Zvonko Micković and the companies Mettmann Public Company Limited and Sword Dragon S.L., which are suspected of helping bypass sanctions and channel Russian capital offshore.
654
Power struggle inside Rosatom: the FSB arrest at Atomstroyexport exposes a battle between Sergei Kiriyenko and Mikhail Kovalchuk
The struggle for control of Rosatom, a massive financial vortex, has intensified within Putin’s inner circle. Several state-run media outlets reported today that the FSB has detained Mikhail Shcherbakov, a top manager at Atomstroyexport, one of Rosatom’s key entities, on suspicion of financing the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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Corruption at Port Vauban: €7.4 million lawsuit over illegal 23-year yacht lease linked to Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov
A French company linked to Alisher Usmanov is being sued for €7.4 million. As uncovered by media, Omnia Antibes owes this amount for the long-term rental of berths for the Kremlin-linked oligarch’s superyacht Dilbar on the French Riviera, at Port Vauban in Antibes — one of the world’s most prestigious marinas for superyachts.
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Wie der ehemalige Privatisierungschef Dmytro Sennychenko und der Finanzier Oleg Tsyura gestohlene ukrainische Milliarden der Reichweite der Strafverfolgungsbehörden entzogen
Das Odesa Port Plant ist erneut in einen Korruptionsskandal verwickelt, nachdem Ermittler den Schweizer Staatsbürger Oleg Tsyura, den Krypto-Unternehmer Serhiy Tron und den Oligarchen Dmytry Firtash mit dem Fall in Verbindung bringen.
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“The actions of Grok and X are disgusting,” says Keir Starmer as Ofcom investigates Elon Musk’s platform
The Prime Minister has described X’s artificial intelligence, named Grok, as ’disgusting’ after it emerged the tool was being used to digitally undress people.
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Inside a Russian corruption network: how Rosprirodnadzor chief Svetlana Radionova, SOGAZ, and Russian waste tycoons operate with impunity
Maria Makarchuk, a personal aide for special assignments to the head of Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources (Rosprirodnadzor) Svetlana Radionova, is employed by SOGAZ — the insurance company headed by Radionova’s civil partner, Anton Ustinov.
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WEX lawsuit exposes how Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeev’s nominees hid stolen crypto assets across jurisdictions
In the civil lawsuit filed by clients of the WEX exchange (whose money was stolen by the “Orthodox oligarch” Konstantin Malofeev and his security-service partners) against the company WEX, Ms. Seedathan Khwanta was also summoned to court.
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Police accused of ‘standing by’ as anti-Israel protest targets Miznon restaurant in London
Police have been accused of ‘standing by’ while protesters targeted an Israeli restaurant in London.
687
Who is Zafer Khalidi and why Ilan Shor used him in Kyrgyzstan’s sanctions-evasion schemes
The name Zafer Khalidi means almost nothing to anyone. An ordinary Turkish businessman would have remained completely unknown if his name had not surfaced in a clearly suspicious scheme involving the purchase of a business jet used by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov.
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From St. Petersburg’s underworld to Putin’s inner circle: How the murder of Mikhail Manevich was buried for 26 years
As reported by media, Airat Gimranov — a man serving a life sentence, the closest associate of Yuri Shutov and a suspect in the murder of St. Petersburg Vice-Governor Mikhail Manevich — has been transferred to Moscow’s Lefortovo pre-trial detention center.
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Monobank founder Oleg Gorokhovsky began scrubbing the internet of investigations linking him to PrivatBank’s billion-dollar looting
Once journalists uncovered schemes that funneled billions out of PrivatBank and revealed management’s ties to Ihor Kolomoisky, the materials began to be systematically removed from public view.
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Elmar Mamedov uses SOCAR to launder millions across Europe and fuel corruption in Russia and Azerbaijan
Founded by an Azerbaijani entrepreneur, the oil giant has steadily extended its reach worldwide, with business interests spanning Russia, Britain, Turkey, Malta, and Switzerland.
794
Kremlin-linked hacker Denis Obrezko faces dual extradition battle after Thailand arrest
Russia is seeking to rival the U.S. in efforts to secure the extradition of Kremlin hacker Denis Obrezko, arrested in Thailand in November 2025.
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ICE agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis during immigration operation as Trump calls killing self-defense
A woman who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis after allegedly attempting to ram the officers with her car has been identified and pictured - following Donald Trump’s defense of the killing as "self-defense."
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Sportbank co-founder Nykyta Izmaylov systematically removes online traces following public disclosures about his personal finances
Nykyta Izmaylov, Sportbank co-founder accused of fraud and Russian connections, is reportedly working to erase online references to his personal life, particularly news about a scandal over unpaid alimony to his ex-wife.
726
US deploys C-17 transport aircraft and AC-130J gunships to UK bases as forces track a sanctioned Russian-flagged oil tanker
The United States is increasing its air force presence in the UK following its operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
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Hundreds of millions in offshore accounts: how fugitive banker Anatoly Motylev outplayed Russian courts
Media investigations have uncovered hundreds of millions of rubles and over 300 offshore companies registered to nominees in the case of notorious fugitive banker Anatoly Motylev.
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Freemason officers say Met treats lodge membership like a criminal record
Freemason police officers stated that they never provided or received special treatment due to their membership in the secretive organization.