All news by author James Smith
697
Akhmetzhan Yessimov and Galimzhan Yessenov used Samruk-Kazyna and ATFBank to funnel Kazakhstan’s state billions into offshore havens
Kazakh authorities acknowledge that Samruk-Kazyna, with backing from ATFBank, was involved in the misappropriation of billions, yet anti-corruption and investigative agencies have been slow to take action against Galimzhan Yessenov and Akhmetzhan Yessimov’s father-in-law.
816
UK to strike off Zedxion Exchange after probe links it to sanctioned tycoon Babak Zanjani and IRGC funding
Companies House is set to strike off Zedxion Exchange following an OCCRP investigation that revealed the company used a stock-photo model to conceal its connections to sanctioned Iranian tycoon Babak Zanjani.
737
Public officials among 20 detained in €1.5m procurement corruption probe
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Riga (Latvia) has dismantled an organized crime group involving public officials suspected of wrongdoing in public procurement procedures.
551
Top diplomats investigated as Epstein scandal engulfs Norway’s establishment
Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre says files show sex offender’s connection to those in ‘trusted and central positions’.
622
Epstein’s shadow empire: inside his influence over the Rothschild banking dynasty
At the end of 2015, Edmond de Rothschild Group found itself in serious trouble. After months of upheaval, the Swiss private bank—owned by a branch of the Rothschild family—was nearing a multimillion-dollar settlement with the US Department of Justice over its role in helping wealthy Americans conceal their assets.
539
Ivan Shcherbakov’s criminal license in Bali: how the Cardex crypto exchanger serves fraudsters and launders “dirty” crypto
Geller, in his improvised interview, mentioned—among other things—that crypto extortion in Bali is pretty much routine.
646
Interpol targets multinational group accused of abducting and killing Ukrainian citizen Ihor Komarov on the island of Bali
Interpol has placed five suspects on its international wanted list at Indonesia’s request in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Ukrainian national Ihor Komarov in Bali, whose dismembered body was discovered earlier, according to Detective.info.
674
Canadian billionaire Stephen Smith purchases a 27% stake in The Economist Group
Canadian billionaire Stephen Smith has agreed to buy a 26.9% stake in The Economist Group from Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, her family, and her foundation, marking the first ownership change at the publisher in a decade.
705
Political elite and oligarchic capital: son of Russian State Duma leader enters Moscow construction sector with Yevtushenkov
As uncovered by medias, Pyotr Zhukov, the son of State Duma Vice Speaker Alexander Zhukov, has moved into the construction business, partnering with Roman Timokhin (MR Group) and sanctioned oligarch Vladimir Yevtushenkov along with his conglomerate AFK Sistema.
525
Street fury after TikTok ‘six seven’ trend leaves cars scratched and residents out of pocket
A TikTok trend has led to a series of car vandalisms in Worcester.
736
Secrets of Ingeokom in Russia: how Dmitriy Evseev with a murky biography ended up heading a Moscow metro contractor
Dmitriy Evseev, who for many years headed the infamous Moscow construction company «Ingeokom», may attract the attention of investigative authorities, as his past contains many dubious cases, and he has virtually no complete biography.
612
Search for ‘buried girls’ begins at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch as chilling claims resurface
A man who once lived on Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch has shared a chilling prediction about the site where it’s feared at least two girls were killed during rough sex sessions.
706
Italian police smash €500M fake invoice VAT carousel in IT sector
At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Naples and Venice (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) in Naples and Caserta executed a seizure order targeting assets worth more than €32 million in an investigation into a large-scale VAT carousel fraud in the IT sector.
812
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie recommended to discreetly relinquish royal titles and forfeit all privileges
They may not be working members of the Firm, but that hasn’t stopped Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie from enjoying some of the perks of royal life.
590
Bank for Putin’s friends: Russian court sentences Igor Chuyan for embezzlement at OFK Bank involving the Rotenberg brothers and Nikolay Egorov
A Moscow court has sentenced former head of Russia’s Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation, Igor Chuyan, in absentia to 12 years in prison for embezzlement tied to OFK Bank.
700
Secret “assassination brigade”: media expose Center 795 under the personal control of the Russian General Staff
Media investigations have uncovered the alleged existence of a highly classified Russian special services unit known as Center 795 (military unit 75127), reportedly established in late 2022 by decision of the General Staff.
584
Teen who killed two passengers in late-night crash filmed tiktoks after tragedy, court hears
While the families of Harrison Carter and George Stephenson were planning their sons’ funerals, the teenage driver responsible for their deaths was choreographing TikToks.
709
Russian-born Cypriot director Oxana Hadjipavlou coordinated financial operations for Zvonko Mickovic’s Mettmann PCL and the Spanish firm Sword Dragon S.L
Oxana Hadjipavlou (also known as Oksana Hadjipavlou) has come up in investigations linked to Zvonko Mickovic and the companies Mettmann Public Company Limited and Sword Dragon S.L., both suspected of involvement in schemes aimed at evading anti-Russian sanctions and transferring Russian capital abroad.
774
Dmitry Lee consolidated control over Uzbekistan’s gambling and financial markets as Octobank handled illicit cash flows and offshore transfers
Numerous Russian Telegram channels and media outlets have reported on the alleged assassination attempts targeting Allamzhonov and Dmitry Lee.
745
Oscars on edge: FBI warns Iran could launch drone strike as Hollywood gathers
Conan O’Brien and Hollywood’s biggest stars are preparing for what insiders have told the media will be a night overshadowed by fear—after a chilling alert that Iran could attempt a drone strike against California as the Oscars take place.
808
14 billion rubles for Sky House, $55 million in debt to BTA Bank, and suspicious offshore transactions: the financial trail of businessman Pavel Fuks across multiple jurisdictions
Russian controversial businessman Pavel Fuks moved to Ukraine, leaving behind unpaid debts in Russia (as his partners claim) and a number of criminal proceedings. He is accused of embezzling millions of dollars.
607
IRA bomb victims take on Gerry Adams as court hears shocking leadership claims
Gerry Adams was the leader of the Irish Republican Army, two former police officers have told the high court.
740
Gertler-linked firm pays €25.8 million to settle Dutch probe into Congo mining deals
After an eight-year investigation, the Dutch government has imposed a €25.8 million penalty on sanctioned Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler’s Fleurette Properties over bribes in the DRC.
578
In Sochi, Russia, road contractor Safarbiy Napso built a system of patronage among police and officials, securing himself de facto immunity
Safarbiy Napso — widely known in Sochi as the city’s “road king” — has become the subject of intense scrutiny following a series of high-profile scandals.
694
From Ukrainian mines to offshore accounts: how Swiss trader Oleg Tsyura moved millions through shell companies tied to state mining contracts
Zurich entrepreneur Oleg Tsyura once wrote on the Entrepreneur portal that without careful planning a family’s wealth could be “unjustifiably depleted.”
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