The Laundromat with Dawn Pretorius
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AML on the move.
Money laundering is more prolific than ever.
Legislation and AML initiatives continue to respond.
But does it make a difference?
The Laundromat is an unfiltered deep dive into the shadowy world of money laundering and its far-reaching consequences. From billion-dollar scandals in global banking to cybercriminal networks exploiting digital loopholes, we expose the intricate methods criminals use to clean dirty money. Each episode unpacks real-life cases—some shocking, some audacious—that reveal the hidden connections between financial crime, corruption, and economic instability. But it’s not just about the criminals; we also examine the regulators, the laws, and the ongoing battle to stay ahead of ever-evolving laundering techniques.
This podcast is a must-listen for forensic accountants, AML specialists, cybercrime investigators, and anyone curious about the dark side of global finance. We bring in experts to discuss the red flags, failures in AML enforcement, and how AI and blockchain forensics are changing the game. Why does money laundering persist despite intense scrutiny? What are the biggest risks ahead? And most importantly, how does this impact ordinary people? Join us as we pull back the curtain on a world where trillions move in the shadows—because understanding financial crime is the first step to fighting it.
Money laundering is more prolific than ever.
Legislation and AML initiatives continue to respond.
But does it make a difference?
The Laundromat is an unfiltered deep dive into the shadowy world of money laundering and its far-reaching consequences. From billion-dollar scandals in global banking to cybercriminal networks exploiting digital loopholes, we expose the intricate methods criminals use to clean dirty money. Each episode unpacks real-life cases—some shocking, some audacious—that reveal the hidden connections between financial crime, corruption, and economic instability. But it’s not just about the criminals; we also examine the regulators, the laws, and the ongoing battle to stay ahead of ever-evolving laundering techniques.
This podcast is a must-listen for forensic accountants, AML specialists, cybercrime investigators, and anyone curious about the dark side of global finance. We bring in experts to discuss the red flags, failures in AML enforcement, and how AI and blockchain forensics are changing the game. Why does money laundering persist despite intense scrutiny? What are the biggest risks ahead? And most importantly, how does this impact ordinary people? Join us as we pull back the curtain on a world where trillions move in the shadows—because understanding financial crime is the first step to fighting it.
12 Episodes
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Episode 1 of The Laundromat dives deep into the world of money laundering, exposing the staggering scale of financial crime across the globe. From major banking scandals like TD Bank’s involvement in laundering fentanyl profits to Mozambique’s $2 billion fraud, we uncover how illicit funds flow through legitimate systems, often with minimal consequences for the perpetrators. Cyber scams, shell companies, and underground banking networks all play a role in this multi-trillion-dollar problem, affecting economies, businesses, and everyday people. With technological advancements, criminals continue to adapt, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to keep up.
But what about the fight against money laundering? We explore the challenges regulators face, the evolving landscape of financial crime, and the role of AI in detecting fraudulent activity. From cybercriminals exploiting cryptocurrencies to governments struggling to close loopholes, this episode raises critical questions: Why are AML controls failing? What are the biggest red flags investigators look for? And most importantly, what can be done to curb this ever-growing threat? Join us as we peel back the layers of corruption, fraud, and deception shaping the financial underworld. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
In this episode, we dive into the intricate connections between politics, the rule of law, and global economics—where money laundering plays a central role. From corporate power and tax havens to the unintended consequences of globalization, we explore how illicit financial flows distort economies, deepen inequality, and undermine democracy. With billions of dollars hidden offshore, governments lose vital resources needed for infrastructure, healthcare, and education, widening the wealth gap.
Is money laundering as serious as climate change? Absolutely. It fuels corruption, strengthens organized crime, and weakens financial systems worldwide. We’ll unpack how compliance efforts often fall short and why financial institutions face an uphill battle against an ever-evolving global network of illicit finance. Join the conversation and challenge the narratives shaping our economic reality. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
In this thought-provoking episode, financial integrity expert Dawn Pretorius and Professor Louis de Koker delve into the complex world of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); its origins, effectiveness, and the unintended consequences of its global standards.
Established in 1989 by the G7 to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, FATF now influences global financial regulations. But has it lived up to its mission? Dawn and Lois unpack the nuances behind the numbers, the realities of implementation, and the costs — both financial and social. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
Don't give me rules, give outcomes; don't ask for risk assessments.
This episode explores the effectiveness or otherwise of rules-based legislation versus principles-based legislation intended for anti-money laundering. Will financial institutions find it easier to apply or not?
A related regulatory requirement is to draft extensive risk assessments. Do we consult them when a risk occurs? Businesses manage their risks anyway - why do they need it to be documented?
An opinion is given on whether the financial impact of money laundering is ever factored into published economic statistics such as GDP.
Join Dawn as she speaks with Louize Hermitage-Holt and Aziz Boghani from The Goose. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
According to the World Justice Project, 2024 marked the seventh consecutive year of global rule-of-law decline.
From South Africa to the United States, from Europe to Latin America, the trends are worrying… and the consequences could shape global compliance for years to come.
If powerful individuals can escape consequences in the world’s leading democracy, what message does that send to countries already on the edge?
What do you think? Which trends worry you the most in 2025 — judicial interference, corruption, or civic repression?
How does rule-of-law erosion increase risks for compliance professionals? Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
The empty vessels that are moving billions of dollars supporting criminals.
In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s both mysterious and infuriating:
the use of shell companies, which involves secret wealth, global corruption, and the reason why your country might be losing billions in tax revenue every year.
The real shock is that the world’s richest economies are quietly the world’s biggest enablers. It’s not just small islands — it’s the big players that set the rules and then exploit them
Enter the fray and take up the fight. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
Hawala is more than a remittance tool - it's a silent counter-economy.
Rooted in ancient trust-based systems, the hawala system allows funds to travel across borders without ever entering the formal financial system.
For financial criminals, hawala is an off-the-books express lane. For AML professionals, it's the ultimate blind spot. But for foreigners sending money home, it's cheap, fast, and trustworthy. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
A candid, insider view of AML’s wins, failures and future.
✅ South Africa’s greylisting journey — are we really out of the woods?
✅ The rise of scams as a global, multi-billion-dollar industry.
✅ The real challenges faced by AML professionals on the ground.
✅ Whether SMEs and non-financial businesses can realistically keep up with compliance.
✅ Public perceptions of AML — does it matter to ordinary people?
✅ And if Bela were in charge of the FIC or FATF, what would she change? Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
Where technology, crime, and compliance collide.
A sharp, investigative podcast that exposes how technology is reshaping the global fight against money laundering. Hosted by Dawn Pretorius, The Laundromat tackles the fast-evolving world of AML through expert conversations, real-world cases, and bold questions about regulation, innovation, and the launderers who always seem one step ahead. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
Rethinking the RBA, AML effectiveness, and UBO failures.
In this hard-hitting episode, Dawn Pretorius is joined by seasoned financial-crime expert Pieter Rossouw to unpack whether our global AML systems are truly fighting illicit finance — or unintentionally fuelling it. From the misuse of the risk-based approach, to the startling ineffectiveness of the global AML regime, to South Africa’s still-fragile UBO framework, this conversation asks the uncomfortable question: are we solving the problem, or sustaining it? Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
Lifestyle audits are symbolically unsubstantial.
Lifestyle audits can be extremely valuable, especially considering the high level of crime within the public sector, and South Africa is a notable example.
Many public departments treat audits as mere self-reporting exercises without verification. There is poor follow-through on findings, a lack of mandatory referral to criminal procedures, complications with offshore assets, and political interference.
Pretorius concludes that lifestyle audits in South Africa remain largely symbolic rather than substantive, exposing corruption without deterring it. She argues that for lifestyle audits to be effective, they must be backed by law, enforced independently, and result in asset seizure and confiscation.
Imagine what could change? Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
Discover what FSIs can do (and should do) but don't do, to fight crime.
This episode with Oonagh van den Berg of Raw Compliance takes a bold step in re-looking at how we comply with our AML regulatory requirements.
Oonagh argues that many current control frameworks are not fully fit for purpose as they were designed for a slower financial world and struggle to keep up with instant payments, embedded finance, crypto, and AI-driven fraud. While these frameworks may be technically compliant, they lack operational effectiveness.
The conversation covers issues of overregulation, data fragmentation, the disconnect between compliance and business operations, and the limitations of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluations.
Oonagh advocates for a shift from rule-based to data-first, dynamic, and tech-enabled frameworks that can adapt to evolving criminal behaviours. She stresses the importance of compliance officers developing skills in data analytics, technology, and business understanding rather than focusing solely on regulatory knowledge Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play
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