Dec 17, 2024
Records tie narco-trafficking son of former Australian political leader to offshore company and Cyprus bank account
Mark Chikarovski styled himself as “AusCokeKing” as he trafficked drugs on the dark web in exchange for cryptocurrency.
Dubai
Nov 08, 2024
Scottish authorities will not investigate Emirati Interpol president, police say
On the eve of Interpol’s annual conference, two British nationals filed another torture complaint against Major General Ahmed Naser al-Raisi.
Aug 21, 2024
A UK court ordered a global asset freeze for the ‘Cryptoqueen’ and her OneCoin associates
ICIJ previously found that OneCoin’s founder Ruja Ignatova and some of her associates had bought properties worth millions in Dubai while promoting the fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme.
Aug 20, 2024
A notorious drug kingpin set up shell companies in the British Virgin Islands and Dubai to employ alleged cartel underlings, documents show
Sarajevo-native Edin “Tito” Gacanin registered the companies in the secrecy havens as he continued to ship cocaine globally, despite being convicted by Dutch courts for narcotics trafficking.
May 22, 2024
Russians bought up $6.3B in Dubai property after 2022 Ukraine invasion, report finds
A trove of leaked records reveals Russian property holdings soared “more than tenfold,” economists say.
May 15, 2024
Leaked Dubai property files link luxury flats to OneCoin crypto scammers
The Dubai Unlocked investigation shows how the emirate became a refuge for self-proclaimed “Cryptoqueen” Ruja Ignatova and nearly a dozen of her associates, even as the United Arab Emirates sought to clean up its image as a haven for criminals and fraudsters.
May 14, 2024
Dubai property portfolio calls into question effectiveness of sanctions on Kinahan cartel leader, experts say
Caoimhe Robinson, wife of accused drug kingpin Daniel Kinahan, has bought and sold properties in Dubai as he faces U.S. sanctions, the Dubai Unlocked investigation reveals.
May 14, 2024
Defying Angola and Interpol, Isabel dos Santos entrenches herself on Dubai waterfront
The eldest daughter of Angola’s former autocrat has found cover in the United Arab Emirates, where she, her mother and a business associate are linked to multiple properties, Dubai Unlocked reveals.
Apr 15, 2024
How international gold dealers exploited a tiny African kingdom’s economic dream
Eswatini’s king professed to have a bold plan for a thriving economic zone. ICIJ uncovered two phantom gold refineries channeling millions of dollars to Dubai through it.
Mar 13, 2024
Firm related to sanctioned crypto exchange Garantex is a partner of Moscow gang leader and has links to Kremlin-controlled Rosneft
A new probe reveals how a murky network linked to the Moscow-based crypto exchange appeared after the mysterious 2020 death of a founding shareholder.
Apr 23, 2022
How a ruthless Irish gang found a home away from home in Dubai and an enemy in the White House
Documents leaked to ICIJ tie the Kinahan organized crime cartel to companies and enablers in the Middle East’s top secrecy haven.
Mar 04, 2022
United Arab Emirates placed on money laundering ‘gray list’
The UAE hasn’t done enough to crack down on dirty money flows and needs extra monitoring, the Financial Action Task Force says.
Nov 16, 2021
Pandora Papers reveal Emirati royal families’ role in secret money flows
From skyscrapers rising in the desert to free-trade zones hawking gold and diamonds, the UAE is open for business. Sometimes that business involves shadowy companies and international crimes.
Sep 21, 2020
US Treasury Department abandoned major money laundering case against Dubai gold company
The Kaloti probe offers rare insight into the illicit gold trade.
Jul 10, 2020
Dubai ‘asks few questions’ about dirty money flows, report says
A range of criminals, corrupt politicians and money launderers call Dubai home or operate from inside its glistening towers, according to a new report.