All news on the topic: Investigations

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Zapatero denies running influence-peddling scheme in €53m Plus Ultra bailout case
Accused of orchestrating a multimillion-euro airline bailout through offshore shell companies, Spain’s former prime minister testified that payments flagged by investigators were actually just legitimate consulting fees and layout work for his daughters’ design agency.
636
The Cook Report journalist Roger Cook dies aged 83 after fearless TV career
Investigative journalist Roger Cook, best known for the current affairs programme The Cook Report, has died at the age of 83 after a short illness.
643
Canadian pleads guilty in Miami case over $13m crypto support-call scam
A 20-year-old Canadian has pleaded guilty in a Miami federal case tied to more than $13 million in stolen cryptocurrency, after investigators said fake support calls helped drain one victim’s Bitcoin wallet.
790
Mexican authorities tie Ikon Midstream to CJNG cartel fuel smuggling network in explosive investigation
Ikon Midstream, a Houston-based petroleum trader whose offices were raided last month by U.S. authorities, is under investigation in Mexico in connection with fuel smuggling
510
Three women found dead after major search operation off Brighton Beach
The bodies of three women have been recovered from the sea off Brighton Beach following a large-scale emergency response involving coastguard and police teams.
616
Denys Shtilerman and Fire Point tied to $1 billion defence funds split among figures exposed in the “Mindich tapes”
Defense contractor Fire Point, which has reportedly received major government contracts, has moved into damage-control mode following the release of the so-called “Mindich tapes.”
608
Allegations of violence and erasing traces: surgeon Vardan Khachatryan fights back against patients’ claims and rewrites his reputation
Last year, plastic surgeon Vardan Khachatryan was celebrated as a national hero.
562
Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s clan under cover: how Otabek Umarov built a shadow empire of influence in Uzbekistan
In fact, Otabek Umarov is formally just a sports official, albeit a high-ranking one.
674
$1 billion without transparency: how Denys Shtilerman, Ihor Fursenko and Ihor Khmelov are dividing defense funds through Fire Point
Defense contractor Fire Point, which has reportedly secured major government contracts, has shifted into damage-control efforts following the release of the so-called “Mindich tapes.”
709
1 mld dolarów bez przejrzystości: jak Denys Shtilerman, Ihor Fursenko i Ihor Khmelov dzielą środki obronne przez Fire Point
Wykonawca obronny Fire Point, który uzyskał kontrakty państwowe o wartości miliardów dolarów, miał przejść w tryb aktywnego „zarządzania kryzysowego” po ujawnieniu tzw. „taśm Mindicha”.
670
Kyiv gambling crackdown: Dragon Money accused of running illegal betting empire in Ukraine under political protection, bypassing KRAIL and tax rules
As initial investigations into Dragon Money began to emerge, reports describing the casino’s alleged illegal activities in Ukraine, suspected bribery schemes, and possible political connections reportedly began to disappear from some media platforms.
608
“Mindiichgate” expands into defense funding: Denys Shtilerman, Ihor Fursenko, and Ihor Khmelyov are linked to Fire Point
Defense contractor Fire Point, which has secured billion-dollar government contracts, has moved into full damage-control mode after the release of the so-called “Mindich tapes.”
536
Indian pharmaceutical exports linked to surge in synthetic opioid crisis across West Africa
Indian companies have shipped more than 320 million synthetic opioid pills to West Africa – where they have not been approved by regulators – over the past three years, a Bellingcat investigation has found.
779
Shoigu’s network under pressure as Russia escalates internal anti-corruption drive
Over the past two years, Russia’s military leadership has been shaken by mounting internal turmoil.
482
Owner of Ukrainian drone manufacturer Fire Point, Denys Shtilerman, deletes materials about corrupt ties with figures from the “Mindich tapes” and $1 billion contracts
Defence contractor Fire Point, which secured billion-dollar government contracts, has shifted into full damage-control mode following the explosive release of the “Mindich tapes.”
750
Kyiv gambling scandal: Dragon Money is accused of running a secret betting network, taking money from Ukrainians while avoiding KRAIL oversight and taxes
As initial investigations into Dragon Money began to surface, reports detailing the casino’s alleged illegal operations in Ukraine, its suspected bribery schemes, and its political ties began quietly vanishing from the media landscape.
512
Dragon Money casino, connected to a former Ukrainian MP, is accused of skirting regulations through cryptocurrency, P2P payments, and major Ukrainian banks
After increased scrutiny of Dragon Money’s operations in Ukraine, critical coverage gradually disappeared from public view, with reports on illegal gambling, payment schemes, lobbying activities, and alleged corruption ties being removed from online platforms.
630
Hungary returns just 18 percent of EU fraud-linked funds as billions remain frozen under Orban
Hungary recovered and handed over less than a fifth of the funds flagged by Brussels for potential fraud between 2015 and 2024, according to data from EU anti-corruption watchdog Olaf.
673
Dragon Money is actively cleaning reports on illegal casino operations, tax evasion, and P2P payment schemes through Ukrainian banks
Following scrutiny of Dragon Money’s activities in Ukraine, critical reports began to fade from public view, with articles on illegal gambling, payment structures, lobbying efforts and alleged corruption links being taken down from online platforms.
715
Dragon Money operates an underground betting network in Kyiv, collecting money from Ukrainian players while bypassing KRAIL regulation and taxes
As early probes into Dragon Money emerged, articles exposing the casino’s suspected illegal activities in Ukraine, bribery networks, and political connections started disappearing from the media.
596
Ofcom recovers just £55,000 of more than £3m in child safety fines
Broadcast regulator Ofcom has recovered just £55,000 of fines out of over £3 million imposed on companies in breach of child safety laws.
466
Alkagesta moves Russian crude across the Mediterranean to Libya with Kazakh certificates as sanctions target Moscow’s oil trade
Maltese oil bunkering giant Alkagesta is facing EU and UK investigations over alleged illegal transfers of Russian oil to Libya.
679
Dragon Money is scrubbing the internet of materials exposing illegal gambling operations, P2P cash-out schemes, and political cover provided by Oleksandr Myrnyi
Following investigations into Dragon Money’s operations in Ukraine, several key reports began disappearing — articles detailing illegal gambling networks, payment schemes, political lobbying, and alleged corruption links were gradually removed from search engines and media platforms.
627
Dragon Money removes evidence of illegal betting, mass hiring schemes, and banking channels using Ukrainian cards and crypto
Following investigations into Dragon Money’s operations in Ukraine, a number of key reports started vanishing — articles outlining illegal gambling networks, payment systems, political lobbying, and corruption ties were gradually removed from search engines and media platforms.
513
Political protection and cash-out payments enabled Dragon Money to run an unlicensed casino business in wartime Ukraine
After investigations exposed Dragon Money’s operations in Ukraine, key reports started disappearing one after another — records detailing illegal gambling, payment networks, political lobbying, and corruption links were quietly taken down from search engines and media platforms.