Ep. 12: Exploring Tech-Driven Approaches to Asset Seizures

“Money laundering is often very boring…Crypto is new. It’s exciting. It’s different.” This time on ‘Seize & Desist’, our host Aidan Larkin is joined by investigative journalist Geoff White, author of ‘The Lazarus Heist’, ‘Crime Dot Com’, and ‘Rinsed’.In this episode, Aidan and Geoff explore the influence of modern technology on money laundering and its ties to transnational organised crime. They examine how criminals have exploited advancements in digital asset infrastructure to hide their illegal activities and emphasise the important role of investigative journalism in illuminating financial investigations involving on-chain and off-chain activity.They also discuss the difficulties of tracking illicit transactions in cryptocurrency, the influence of faster payments, and the future implications of AI-driven crimes.Timestamps06:30 - Explaining Cryptocurrency and Asset Recovery to the Unfamiliar07:30 - Investigative Journalism in the Digital Age of Financial Crime14:00 - The Underperformance of Global Asset Recovery18:00 - Crypto and Traditional Finance in Money Laundering19:00 - Cash-to-Crypto On-Ramp Methods22:00 - Cryptocurrency and Drug Trafficking24:00 - Crypto's Role in Modern Criminal Enterprises26:45 - Crypto vs Traditional Finance Prosecutions29:00 - Balancing Crypto Adoption with Safety and Regulation32:00 - Crypto Asset Recovery and Immutable Blockchain Evidence34:00 - AI-Powered Crypto Thefts36:30 - The Controversial Role of Mixers in CryptoResources Mentioned:Book - Rinsed https://amzn.to/3LhGWui Book - The Lazarus Heist https://amzn.to/4cCbEdC Book - Crime Dot Com https://amzn.to/3S0kSbq Podcast - The Lazarus Heist https://bbc.in/3zN0VhH Podcast - Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? https://amzn.to/4bE6rAM  Podcast - The Dark Web https://amzn.to/3Y2vF8C Podcast - The Laundry E86 https://apple.co/3y1xyru Oliver Bullough - https://amzn.to/3VYIwGd About our Guest:Geoff White is an accomplished author, speaker, investigative journalist, and podcast creator specialising in the intersection of organised crime and technology. For the past twenty years, Geoff has informed and entertained audiences on financial crime risks, money laundering, cryptocurrency, and the personal data trade. His work has been featured by BBC News, Channel 4, Sky News, The Sunday Times and many others.His latest book, Rinsed, explores how technology has transformed the world of money laundering. Geoff is also the author of The Lazarus Heist, about North Korea's global cyber warfare, and Crime Dot Com, which delves into the history of hacking.In addition to his books, Geoff has created and presented several successful podcast series for Amazon’s Audible, including The Dark Web, which exposes the internet's hidden underbelly, and Cybercrime Investigations, which takes listeners inside the world of an investigative journalist.DisclaimerOur podcasts are for informational purposes only.  They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed.  Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.