Episodes

  • Dark Web, MLMs, and a Missing Cryptoqueen

    Dark Web, MLMs, and a Missing Cryptoqueen
    Jun 19 2024
    Dr Ruja Ignatova has been on the run since 2017 after orchestrating one of the biggest scams in history. This week on Whale Hunting, Bradley chats to Jamie Bartlett, the author and broadcaster who brought Ruja's shocking story into the mainstream with the hit podcast The Missing Cryptoqueen. Her OneCoin scam was somewhere between a crypto rug pull and a multi-level marketing scheme that pulled in ordinary retail investors to the tune of $4 billion. In this episode, Bradley chats to Jamie about his unorthodox journey into podcasting, from tracking fringe movements on Facebook to digging into the dark net, and his theory that radical online groups are often the first to embrace new technology. They also look back at how Jamie initially came across Ruja's scam, and how the story of the missing cryptoqueen continues to evolve five years on from the podcast's launch. Want more from Whale Hunting? Head to our website at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com to subscribe to our newsletter delving into the murky worlds of money and power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Girl Bosses: Cartels, Narcas and Untold Stories

    Girl Bosses: Cartels, Narcas and Untold Stories
    Jun 12 2024
    Think of your favorite mafia movie or narco show. Then think of its female characters. How many of them fall into the following categories? 1) long suffering wife 2) hot girlfriend 3) victim of crime. Probably a majority, right? But like any other industry, there are women out there running drug operations — even building empires — and journalist Deborah Bonello has been following their stories in Latin America for some time. In fact, she’s even written a book about them. This week on Whale Hunting, Bradley talks to Deborah about the women that prompted her to write the book, from ruthless Valle cartel leader Doña Digna to El Chapo’s right-hand woman Guadalupe Fernandez Valencia. They also discuss how Deborah came to report on the narcotics business, what it’s like to piss off a cartel boss with your work — and why we can’t help but root for female Narca bosses. Deborah’s book, Narcas: The Secret Rise of Women in Latin America's Cartels, is available now online and in all good bookshops. For more from Whale Hunting, make sure to follow the podcast – and you can subscribe to our newsletter at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • FBI Calling: Organized Crime, Encrypted Phones and Anom

    FBI Calling: Organized Crime, Encrypted Phones and Anom
    Jun 5 2024
    Gangsters of the past may have headed to their nearest payphone to make risky calls, but modern day criminals have a much more convenient option: encrypted cellphones. The question is, who makes these phones and secure apps? In 2018, one phone app came along that was specifically marketed to criminal clientele. It was called Anom, and its mass adoption by organized crime groups around the world would eventually lead to the biggest sting in history. This week on Whale Hunting, investigative reporter Joseph Cox unravels the full story, explaining what criminals loved about Anom, the questionable decision to allow serious crimes to continue as evidence was collected, and even gangsters' favorite emojis. Anom is the topic of Joseph's new book, Dark Wire: The Incredible True Story of the Largest Sting Operation Ever, which is out now online and in all good bookshops. Want more from Whale Hunting? Head to our website at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com to subscribe to our newsletter delving into the murky worlds of money and power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • Old Crimes, New Tech: Mixers, Crypto and Dirty Money

    Old Crimes, New Tech: Mixers, Crypto and Dirty Money
    May 29 2024
    Like night needs day, criminals have always needed money launderers. But how is the digital revolution changing the laundering business? This week on Whale Hunting, host Bradley Hope speaks to Geoff White, author of the new book Rinsed, about the increasingly sophisticated digital skills used by money launderers around the world. Together, they discuss how the industry has embraced new technology, from online brokers to methods like layering and using crypto mixers — as well as jumping into some of the most intriguing cases from Rinsed, including a Manchester drug trafficking group and a group of ingenious North Korean hackers. Geoff's book, Rinsed, is out online and in all good bookshops from 13 June. Want more from Whale Hunting? Head to our website at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com to subscribe to our newsletter delving into the murky worlds of money and power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    25 mins
  • Fur and Loathing: Trolls, Terrorism, and Chlorine Gas

    Fur and Loathing: Trolls, Terrorism, and Chlorine Gas
    May 22 2024
    Many journalists have that one story they just can't let drop. For Nicky Woolf, it was this one. In December 2014, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, horror unfolded at the final night of Midwest Furfest, the world’s largest convention for Furries. There's an attack. Poisonous levels of chlorine gas sweep through the hotel corridors, nineteen people are hospitalized and hundreds are evacuated. Hazmat teams trace the gas to a stairwell, where they find the remains of a chemical bomb. But almost a decade later, the identity of the perpetrator remains a mystery. This week, on Whale Hunting, host Bradley Hope interviews Nicky Woolf about his determination to unravel this unsolved case, leading to the creation of his new podcast, Fur & Loathing. Together, they discuss building trust with the Furry community, pursuing suspects, and understanding what sidelined subcultures can teach us about societies darkest elements. To listen to Nicky's new podcast, search for Fur & Loathing in your favourite podcast app, visit the Brazen channel in Apple Podcasts, or go to brazen.fm/fur-and-loathing. For more from Whale Hunting, follow the podcast wherever you listen – and you can subscribe to our newsletter at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • K Street: How to Buy Friends and Influence People

    K Street: How to Buy Friends and Influence People
    May 15 2024
    Once upon a time, in a land far away, corporate interests didn't rule the political roost. It's hard to imagine today, when Big Oil, Big Tech and Big Finance (among other 'bigs') all muscle in on US democracy, grappling for the attention and affections of elected representatives. Indeed, a whole industry has sprung up to mediate this muscling, and you can find it on K Street. Home to Washington DC's lobbyists, K Street is also the topic of Brody Mullins' new book, The Wolves of K Street. This week on Whale Hunting, host Bradley Hope chats to Brody about the book, which he co-authored with his brother, Luke Mullins, and what they uncovered on their deep dive into the world of American corporate lobbying. Together, they discuss why lobbying came about in the first place and how powerful forces have changed over time, from the influential civil rights and environmental groups of the 1970s to today's big players on K Street. From mysterious deaths to dirty tactics and signs of change on Capitol Hill, Brody unravels this filthy rich industry, its biggest personalities, and its most questionable practices. Brody and Luke Mullins' book, The Wolves of K Street, is out now. You can find it online and in all good bookshops. Want more from Whale Hunting? Head to our website at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com to subscribe to our newsletter delving into the murky worlds of money and power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • China and the US: Nukes, Tech and Hot Competition

    China and the US: Nukes, Tech and Hot Competition
    May 8 2024
    We’re back and we’re kicking off season two with a bang! This week on Whale Hunting, host Tom Wright is joined by Jane Perlez, long-time Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times, and now host of the new podcast FACE OFF: The US vs China. The show dives into the defining issues of the US-China rivalry, from espionage to technology, nuclear arms and cultural exchange – because there's nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition, right? Chatting with Tom, Jane shares details of her years reporting on the ground in Beijing, the threats of military escalation in today's geopolitical climate, and President Xi's vision for China. Together, they consider whether China and US were always going to end up as foes, and what the future could hold for this rocky relationship. Face Off: The US vs China is out now, available wherever you get your podcasts. And remember, if you’re enjoying Whale Hunting, make sure to visit our website at whalehunting.projectbrazen.com, where you can also subscribe to our newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • From 404 Media: The ‘Com World War’

    From 404 Media: The ‘Com World War’
    Apr 24 2024
    Thanks for listening to season one of Whale Hunting! The podcast will be back very soon with brand new episodes on everything from President Xi of China to corporate lobbying in Washington, Furry subculture, female Narco bosses, and much more. In the meantime, we wanted to share an episode from one of our favourite shows: the 404 Media podcast. The team at 404 Media report from the frontier of tech, covering everything from hacking to AI, surveillance and cybercrime – and their weekly podcast is a great way to catch up on their new stories. In this episode, 404 journalist Joseph Cox shares his latest investigation into the Com, the nebulous online entity and culture that is linked to some of the most high profile and brazen data breaches in recent history. Joseph sat in their chatrooms while rival hackers and criminals doxed and physically robbed one another. You’ll also hear from 404’s Jason Koebler as he breaks down why some researchers are calling out Google on some of its AI science research. Enjoy! For more on 404 media, head to 404media.co. And remember, you can subscribe to the Whale Hunting newsletter as well as the podcast by visiting whalehunting.projectbrazen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    37 mins