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The Dark Money Files
The Dark Money Files
Author: Graham Barrow and Ray Blake
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© 2026 The Dark Money Files
Description
A series of podcasts which explain to a non-technical audience how "Dark Money" (e.g. money laundering, corruption, bribery, tax evasion) enters the financial system and infects everything it touches.
149 Episodes
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Today we tackle some colourful risk lists or, to be a bit more precise, some black and grey ones, along with some strange differentials. Like how come the UK has a high risk third country list when there are no second countries in sight? Send a text Support the show 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/
In the second of a two part, end of year podcast, we continue to explain how we helped with a major BBC investigation into crime on the high street, involving the sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes, modern human slavery, people trafficking, tax evasion, corruption and money laundering. In this episode, undercover filming unearths a shocking story and we explain our part in finding some of the protagonists involved. Send a text Support the show Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.c...
In the first of a two part, end of year episode, we explain how we helped with a major BBC investigation into crime on the high street, involving the sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes, modern human slavery, people trafficking, tax evasion, corruption and money laundering. Send a text Support the show 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 examine two recent final notices issued by two different regulators relating to two quite different enterprises and find a surprising amount of commonality in their thinking. Send a text Support the show 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/
In the first of a new, occasional series, in which we sit down and chat to fellow anti-financial crime professionals, we kick off with Marit Rødevand from Strise to talk about AI and other new fangled gizmos. Send a text Support the show 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 UK Insolvency Service does a lot more than just oversee insolvencies and, in a recently published five year strategy document, they outlined some ambitious future goals which we thought were well worth a conversation. So we had one! Send a text Support the show 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 FCA recently published new guidance specifically in relation to UK PEPs which we decided needed a closer look. So we did! Send a text Support the show 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/
In this episode we explain how we supported a major BBC investigation into a Hungarian organised crime group which was systematically forging wills and stealing the assets belonging to the estate from under the noses of the true beneficiaries. Send a text Support the show 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/
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). Send a text Support the show 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.th...
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. Send a text Support the show 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/
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. Send a text Support the show 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/
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. Send a text Support the show 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/
"...Because every day we pay the price, we’re the living sacrifice" Taking inspiration from Bob Marley (sorry about the pun) we've done a little episode about scams and scammers (and some hints on how to spot them). Send a text Support the show 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/
In this episode we look at some of the links between three recent enforcement actions. We try to avoid the knee jerk reactions, and think a bit deeper about them. Send a text Support the show 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 turn our attention to the requirement to train relevant staff on all matters anti-financial crime. And if you're planning on training - your training needs a plan! Send a text Support the show 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/
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. :) Send a text Support the show 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 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. Send a text Support the show 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/
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. Links referred to in the episode: Hot spot policing Wolfsberg Group Statement on Effective Monitoring for Suspicious Activity Send a text Support the show 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 ...
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. Send a text Support the show 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 dive into the details of OCGs and how they use corporate networks to launder their ill-gotten gains - and the clues they leave behind. And, rather appropriately, we also introduce the world to our new sponsor: https://riskalert247.com/ Send a text Support the show 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/




I have been a compliance professional for 6 years but have still found this podcast invaluable, particularly as a supplement to my ICA diploma studies. Very interesting and helpful for my job and studies.
Amazing work as always. I really love the step by step deductive reasoning. The light sarcasm is also great :)
Great episode, banks get fined and society pays the price. This conversational podcast leads the ordinary listener to understand why.
Great podcast. Good point raised about the two Whistleblowers. Personally anyone still working in the industry, the current laws are flawed.
Great podcast! I've discovered it about a week ago (although I knew Graham Barrow's blog due to some search about mysterious mr. Moulaye :) and I've already listened to all episodes and can't wait for new ones.
These guys are great. Solidly entertaining, but more importantly, sharing topical, timley, and important information. Certainly using some of the concepts here in my day job!