How Putin's Oligarchs Hide Their Billions | Investigators

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  • čas přidán 12. 04. 2022
  • How did oligarch Dmitry Firtash, aka Putin’s ‘Man in Ukraine’, end up buying a tube station in the heart of London? And what does this tell us about the British attitude to dirty money?
    London is the go-to place for Putin’s associates to come and spend their dirty money - billions of dollars are thought to be laundered through the capital every year. But since the Russian invasion and subsequent war in Ukraine, the UK is now under pressure to ramp up sanctions and crack down on it.
    Oliver Bullough, journalist and author of ‘Butler to the World’ investigates Dmitry Firtash and analyses the UK’s role as a butler to oligarchs, kleptocrats and tax dodgers.
    Watch more from this series:
    How Sergei Magnitsky Uncovered a $230 Million Tax Fraud
    • How Sergei Magnitsky U...
    How Drugs and Mobile Phones Get Into British Prisons
    • How Drugs and Mobile P...
    The Man Behind the World's Biggest Financial Fraud
    • The Man Behind the Wor...
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Komentáře • 2,2K

  • @TheChazas
    @TheChazas Před 2 lety +717

    People know money is power, but sometimes don't realize how big of a power, it rules and corrupts everything and everywhere.

    • @mubirunyago9178
      @mubirunyago9178 Před 2 lety

      It even corrupted the communists so much so that they are more capitalist than capitalists themselves.

    • @foreignmonarch5694
      @foreignmonarch5694 Před 2 lety +4

      1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
      ‭‭

    • @MrSupernova111
      @MrSupernova111 Před 2 lety +1

      Absolutely! I'm tired of commoners worshiping the elite. Common working people are expendable in the eyes of the elite and the see us as a labor force whose only purpose is to serve them.

    • @OGRH
      @OGRH Před 2 lety

      Yup! That's why the most corrupt evil resides in the US & has all types of propaganda networks, like VICE for instance!

    • @--Valek--
      @--Valek-- Před 2 lety

      Now ask who owns the federal reserve or stfu

  • @lshaps46
    @lshaps46 Před 2 lety +427

    The British government allowed this activity for years. One wonders how many British politicians have been paid off.

    • @daniellawyatt
      @daniellawyatt Před 2 lety +17

      Same with the US.

    • @adamgunn2885
      @adamgunn2885 Před 2 lety +16

      Literally every Tory MP. They are the ones to blame for this nonsense, and they are the ones to blame for how expensive it is to buy/rent property in London

    • @DoggPoundBDN
      @DoggPoundBDN Před 2 lety

      Who cares it do t effect u or me only the rich

    • @bootsyvanbeathoven2632
      @bootsyvanbeathoven2632 Před 2 lety

      @@adamgunn2885 And in Amsterdam!

    • @steveeddy6876
      @steveeddy6876 Před 2 lety +1

      Yes not much about this in the Lame stream media!

  • @Obekant08
    @Obekant08 Před 2 lety +262

    "Approximately 500 people, the 500 people around v.p. own more wealth than the bottom 99.8% of the population and uniquely for a major economy, more than half of that wealth is not in Russia but is owned outside Russia...". Fascinating, astounding and grotesque.

    • @alanmaribor
      @alanmaribor Před 2 lety

      This is something like America! 🤣🤣🤣
      Black Rock have 10 trilions! Nobody care! Why? Media fake homeless spirit....

    • @Cinoth
      @Cinoth Před 2 lety

      The ordinary people of Russia are getting screwed over royally by Putin and his rich gang.

    • @RR-et6zp
      @RR-et6zp Před 2 lety

      Putin is a trillionaire

    • @chriss7930
      @chriss7930 Před rokem +7

      1 %of the world population has 99% of the money !

    • @kristiyannikolov2668
      @kristiyannikolov2668 Před rokem +6

      Pretty much same everywhere

  • @juststuff5216
    @juststuff5216 Před rokem +6

    I disagree with the claim that the British Government feel 'Shame' or a sense of 'Embarrassment'. I don't think British politicians, on either side of the House, have those emotions!

  • @MarlonBrando420
    @MarlonBrando420 Před 2 lety +400

    British agents were more than happy to take the commissions. Let’s not kid ourselves

    • @O-beefie
      @O-beefie Před 2 lety +28

      Yes bro he said Britain is biggest enablers

    • @jarrad5244
      @jarrad5244 Před 2 lety

      Britain sells their country off to Russians

    • @AbdulAli-ku9he
      @AbdulAli-ku9he Před 2 lety +9

      100% True.

    • @aspinx
      @aspinx Před 2 lety +5

      Now, somebody can seize it and sell it again!

    • @toke7560
      @toke7560 Před 2 lety

      The top British are corrupt on the same level as the Oligarchs. In fact they would give the worlds worst a good run for the money.

  • @amartyaroy3754
    @amartyaroy3754 Před 2 lety +1369

    Can any UK lawyer explain to me, how come ordinary British people have to account for every pound they have whereas these Oligarchs can buy million-dollar properties anonymously?

    • @David-bi6lf
      @David-bi6lf Před 2 lety +246

      Same way big companies can avoid tax. Lawyers that know the loop holes can charge big money. The average person doesn't pay the tax man enough tax without loop holes to profit from hiring a lawyer to seek out those loop holes. Big companies and oligarchs do. Officials probably benefit from the loop holes so why put effort into filling them.

    • @brandonhallam51
      @brandonhallam51 Před 2 lety +77

      Have to look at the difference between people and legal entities. Normal people operate using their own identity as a legal entity to conduct commerce. But if they are willing or able to pay the cost they can create a separate legal entity not tied to their identity to purchase and conduct commerce.

    • @Eusantdac
      @Eusantdac Před 2 lety +40

      They set-up different companies, under different names, backed by lawyers who know all the loopholes and it's all good for them. Do ordinary British people have money to spend on creating fronts for their assets?

    • @mrmc2465
      @mrmc2465 Před 2 lety +58

      Because they are rich and you are a 9-5 plodder. They can make people stupidly rich and you can hardly afford a round down the pub, simple really😂

    • @holeefuk413
      @holeefuk413 Před 2 lety +5

      Do you really need an explanation for that one?

  • @DemarcusQ
    @DemarcusQ Před 2 lety +12

    “We are the worlds best butler” .. Never looked at it that way but he makes it make sense.

    • @user-ii7zr3bj9c
      @user-ii7zr3bj9c Před měsícem

      Why nobody talk about that China has imprisoned more than 1 million Uyghurs! Why nobody talk about that Mongolian, during their expansion of Mongol empire, has slaughtered more than 100 million around the world, which, more horribly all done by blades and arrows. Why everyone think that Chinese is a more decent ruler who deserve take control of Siberia.

  • @DiegoLinde
    @DiegoLinde Před 2 lety +10

    "Its a big club and you ain't in it" -- George Carlin
    people act surprised but in one way or another it's always been like this. It's by design but concealed. Monarchy, politicians, super-elites and rich...our society is corrupt, but most of us are either ignorant or don't say anything.

  • @kimblecheat
    @kimblecheat Před 2 lety +78

    That is Deripaska's house btw; we cleaned it and were paid through different shell companies.

  • @dsdddsd4543we
    @dsdddsd4543we Před 2 lety +187

    Soft power at play. If you own assets in London, the politicians, salesmen, and residents become friendly. Sports teams, art, property, yachts, high-end cars.

    • @erenelvis666
      @erenelvis666 Před 2 lety

      John mearsheimer is shaking

    • @roseoverdose6451
      @roseoverdose6451 Před 2 lety

      Sorry but how THE HELL are people who "assisted" them in buying assets in your country LEGALLY guilty of anything? Absolutely ridiculous! This guy is a moron. Putin and his buddies are disgusting, but really... that comment was disgusting.

    • @speedomike747
      @speedomike747 Před 2 lety +1

      Yes and if you cross the line you can say bye bye to the your assets and friendly people.. which this Ukraine situation proves

    • @MMAOdin
      @MMAOdin Před 2 lety +5

      @@speedomike747 dont be fooled, its all smoke and mirrors lol. Those oligarchs and most of their assets will be perfectly fine

    • @MrGreFunky
      @MrGreFunky Před 2 lety +2

      @@MMAOdin Yep. And it isn't just these oligarchs. Our government is exactly the same. It's just Russia is the next enemy, so the corrupt media will point out the crimes of Russians, without exposing themselves.

  • @egomaniacal1
    @egomaniacal1 Před rokem +7

    Wait he bought a tube station for his own personal and private use?!! That’s the craziest and most boss move I’ve heard of in a minute.

  • @jdarby6157
    @jdarby6157 Před 2 lety +3

    amazing journalism thank you!

  • @pauldonvito6169
    @pauldonvito6169 Před 2 lety +162

    Please please stay safe, Oliver. This is incredible journalism. You and the team should be so proud

    • @One.Zero.One101
      @One.Zero.One101 Před 2 lety +11

      I really hope for the safety of brave journalists like this. They’re battling billionaires that have the capability to put a hit on them.

    • @jesseaffiliate6328
      @jesseaffiliate6328 Před 2 lety

      Not brave enough to investigate biden crime family businesses. But I understand its not possible for biased company controlled somehow by same crime family and its thugs

    • @thevarietyoflife7283
      @thevarietyoflife7283 Před 2 lety

      I don't,what you think is true is false information and propaganda, there are interviews with oligarchs and what he said was misinformation, oligarchs are just rich business people like Elon Musk, bill gates, Jeff bozos, queen Elizabeth, etc etc. It amazes me you guys get sucked into crap and say things you don't know crap about. Spreading worldwide false information is literally propaganda. It's 2022 hello, look before you believe what ONE PERSON is saying.

    • @jamaly77
      @jamaly77 Před rokem +3

      @@One.Zero.One101 Just like the CIA with Assange.

  • @shirleylangton7967
    @shirleylangton7967 Před 2 lety +461

    Letting oligarchs/the very rich set trends for real estate and the ownership of it, ultimately encourages gouging and over-pricing of real estate for ordinary people who can't even afford a home anymore! The money definitely needs to be tracked for all real estate. Water, food, and housing should be rights for everyone!!!

    • @mrmc2465
      @mrmc2465 Před 2 lety

      The oligarchs aren't the ones printing the currency into oblivion, if you educated yourself as to the real problems then wild goose chases wouldn't be necessary

    • @tysnow9524
      @tysnow9524 Před 2 lety +10

      That would be nice but the rich set the rules and the common people like you and me have no power to stop it. The oligarchs have their hands in so many pocket that they have become untouchable.

    • @4Dwooorld
      @4Dwooorld Před 2 lety +2

      At list be honest with yourself. If you work for someone from 8:00 to 17:00, you don't know how to organise and run a business. It means you want to live in socialism. The country were people lived by your ideas and rules was The Soviet Union (North Korea, China, Cuba, Vietnam, ets). Socialism failed in 1991. If you are not able to be independent and make money by yourself you have to take what you have been given by people who can run business. If you cannot cut trees, you cannot have a proper house. Life is tough and you are not a child. You expect that someone will give you everything. Those people took money from me, my family, my country and transferred them to your country. While you could benefit from them all of you were happy. Now you are not happy any more, because more and more people want have easy life. If someone gives me one million or more for my house, I will definitely sell it and I don't care about anyone.

    • @geoffreynhill2833
      @geoffreynhill2833 Před 2 lety

      Sadly, the Nero-Glib Tosh - sorry, Revolution! - has put paid to all that commie stuff, Shirley!😉

    • @swedishfish2357
      @swedishfish2357 Před 2 lety +2

      Most people would buy a house for someone else in their own name for a million dollar surcharge. Of course most countries can deduce if the individual signing for the property has enough money to do so, that's one thing taxes are for, but place enough money in enough people's pockets and it becomes a nice little shell game. Hence the term shell company

  • @bastymanguy
    @bastymanguy Před 2 lety +4

    Ya these high-end properties sometimes build down, like about 7 stories maybe. Saw that documentary around 2010. Happens in London because they can’t build up in some particular areas due to zoning restrictions.

  • @katerentstafford1124
    @katerentstafford1124 Před rokem +1

    Thanks for this report man

  • @kimblecheat
    @kimblecheat Před 2 lety +459

    I had a conversation with an Oligarch a few years ago. My company was working on his house - I knew then, saw photos of him with Putin and heard his laugh when I asked a question of him.
    The answer was 'why do you think they never mention Russia' his laugh was relaxed and happy, as he spent another million on ripping up and refitting floors as his wife thought the shade of colour was n't what she had asked for.

    • @mattjo8577
      @mattjo8577 Před 2 lety +10

      Have you any jobs going

    • @shubham_dalvi
      @shubham_dalvi Před 2 lety +8

      @@capturedflame where are you from?

    • @carcotasu081
      @carcotasu081 Před 2 lety

      @@capturedflame You sound like a tool lmao

    • @squirrel9999
      @squirrel9999 Před 2 lety +21

      Sounds like bullshit, million for a floor

    • @charlessmith3940
      @charlessmith3940 Před 2 lety +55

      What question did you ask? Your post makes no sense.

  • @gav240z
    @gav240z Před 2 lety +57

    Same problem in Australia we turned a blind eye to Chinese money coming in and buying up lots of key real estate etc..

    • @youtubeSuckssNow
      @youtubeSuckssNow Před 2 lety +11

      Canada did as well.

    • @gav240z
      @gav240z Před 2 lety +1

      And when I say "we" I mean our Political class. I've been furious about it for years since it made it harder for everyday citizens to buy a home.

    • @Daniel-nt5gh
      @Daniel-nt5gh Před 6 měsíci

      We might agree on saying that dirty money from dictatorships is being used to attack western societies' middle class, and specially most needed asset, housing, and this has been done with the complicity of our laws and free commerce rules being used against our democracies.
      They are rooting to the bone our liberty with our own rules.

  • @janwienecke1473
    @janwienecke1473 Před rokem +5

    Once you understand the monetary system you realize that earth is a slave planet. If you can't see it you just haven't understood it yet.

  • @beara2482
    @beara2482 Před rokem +1

    Great research , awesome courage!!!

  • @user-em6ie2be7x
    @user-em6ie2be7x Před 2 lety +42

    The UK should publish a UK version of The Pandora Papers.

  • @romeo1650
    @romeo1650 Před 2 lety +63

    Money laundering through real estate is rampant in Toronto, Canada on a large scale as well, which is why many local Canadians may never even have the chance to own their own home without significant help or a substantial salary.

    • @DavidManouchehri
      @DavidManouchehri Před 2 lety +4

      The types of real estate used in these transactions are likely completely out of your price range to begin with, so I doubt it has a noticeable impact for local buyers.

    • @romeo1650
      @romeo1650 Před 2 lety +5

      @@DavidManouchehri I’m glad you doubt it. But it’s a known fact. So please try to disinform someone else ya bot.

    • @DavidManouchehri
      @DavidManouchehri Před 2 lety +2

      @@romeo1650 Is that what they teach in Canadian schools now? Everyone who doesn’t share your opinions is a bot? 😂

    • @martyminus90
      @martyminus90 Před 2 lety +1

      That is so sad. And it can be fixed. The government need to take action.

    • @DavidManouchehri
      @DavidManouchehri Před 2 lety +3

      @@martyminus90 Foreign buyers make up less than 1% of the Canadian market nowadays. Canadians need to learn to take responsibility for creating their own mess.
      The core of the issue, is lack of supply. You vote for politicians who implement policies of restricting development to maintain prices, and then act surprised when prices become unaffordable.

  • @gip6064
    @gip6064 Před rokem +13

    As an Indian, living in India,i easily relate to this.just 10%of India's millionaire and billionaire own 75%of the country's wealth. And that 10% rich population mostly own or invested their wealth in foreign countries like US,Uk,Canada, Europe,UAE.....

  • @andrewmossop6241
    @andrewmossop6241 Před 2 lety

    Thanks for the insight. You have confirmed my suspicions,

  • @AdamAlkishawi
    @AdamAlkishawi Před 2 lety +70

    The part of the anarchists occupying that mansion makes me think about the documentary vice did on these anarchists occupying empty mansions across London, they said that there were so many luxury buildings and mansions sitting there empty, now it makes me think if all of those mansions were built to launder money, I mean who would pay hundreds of millions on a luxury home only to leave it sitting empty?

    • @swedishfish2357
      @swedishfish2357 Před 2 lety

      The people that own those kinds of homes own multiple properties across the world. People like Bruce McMahan who diddled knowingly diddled and 'married' his long lost biological daughter in Westminster Abbey, the same place royalty gets married at. It's a big club and we ain't in it! Hell even "communists" had their own oligarchs, there always has been and will be the haves and have nots. Unless an A.I. can manage society in to some kind of utopia in the far future.

    • @jewellui
      @jewellui Před 2 lety +15

      It’s to protect their wealth, they know it’s not safe in Russia particularly if they anger Putin whilst in the UK there are laws in place so it’s better for them to diversify their assets in multiple countries. London has also proven to be stable and proprieties have been appreciating.

    • @Yomi4D
      @Yomi4D Před 2 lety +4

      People should just move in!

    • @sylviewalker7560
      @sylviewalker7560 Před 2 lety +3

      Definition of laundering...

    • @mayaram2411
      @mayaram2411 Před 2 lety +1

      Russians aren't the only third world crooks who buy property to launder money. Pakistanis, Arabs, African dictators, they all do it.

  • @Izzy-qf1do
    @Izzy-qf1do Před 2 lety +27

    Putin: it's a special military operation.
    Boris Johnson: it was a work meeting.

  • @lalovlogslopez-batres8361

    I really liked the English butler reference 😂😂😂

  • @shoja7264
    @shoja7264 Před 2 lety

    Very great video!!

  • @doingtime20
    @doingtime20 Před 2 lety +15

    Young people out there, you can't buy a house? Well greed is one of the reasons you can't. Income inequality is through the roof, some people at the top are grabbing everything while everybody else just struggles to get by.

  • @TimothyWhiteheadzm
    @TimothyWhiteheadzm Před 2 lety +147

    You never really addressed the reason that the UK encourages it. It raises the prices of housing which artificially raises the wealth of all property owners. Property is basically an investment vehicle in many parts of the world and especially in places like London and New York where property could be said to be in a permanent 'bubble'. A 'bubble' being the term in investment circles for any asset whose value is over inflated beyond its utility value because of its perceived investment value. Of course under capitalism money needs to be invested somewhere and at least some part of the economy will always be in a 'bubble' state and nothing inherently wrong with that, but it does mean that it is susceptible to pops where some people leaving the market can cause a crash of value.

    • @lettucesalad3560
      @lettucesalad3560 Před 2 lety +3

      Lawyers, banks and real estate agents are cleaning up.

    • @informant09
      @informant09 Před 2 lety +5

      Those details are not important for vice. They want a short strong emotional reaction and thats it.

    • @yovannifajardo4824
      @yovannifajardo4824 Před 2 lety +1

      Oligarchs also like have it other forms of money other than rubles, pounds, etc..

    • @pedrocoelho6344
      @pedrocoelho6344 Před 2 lety

      yes there is something inherently wrong with that!

    • @mickeys490
      @mickeys490 Před rokem +1

      I have been looking at these comments for like 10minutes and I finally got my answer, thank you

  • @kuwait85
    @kuwait85 Před 2 lety

    Excellent work here vice

  • @ulihanel7078
    @ulihanel7078 Před 2 lety

    thank you for this fantastic report

  • @genesamarian4278
    @genesamarian4278 Před 2 lety +29

    Glad you shed light on important issues vice

  • @warlordop713
    @warlordop713 Před 2 lety +162

    Rich people that have influence in politics sounds a lot like our home America. 😂

    • @lorenzoblum868
      @lorenzoblum868 Před 2 lety +34

      It's called corruption. The consequence of greed. Sounds a lot like our home, Earth.

    • @techcafe0
      @techcafe0 Před 2 lety +9

      a loose definition of an oligarch is a very rich business leader / tycoon with undue political influence over government agencies, who negatively impact the lives of people the government is meant to serve. given that, we can say that the United States most definitely has its own oligarchs, starting with the greedy Koch brothers (one of whom is dead now). Elon Musk, the richest man on the planet atm, he could be considered a kind of oligarch, given his outsized influence on U.S. politics.

    • @bidenisnotmypresident7352
      @bidenisnotmypresident7352 Před 2 lety

      especially rich liberal rich people

    • @techcafe0
      @techcafe0 Před 2 lety +1

      @@bidenisnotmypresident7352 oh ffs dude, this 'Liberals are the problem' trope is getting real old. Just stop and THINK about the crap that's coming out of your mouth.

    • @jponz85
      @jponz85 Před 2 lety +10

      @@techcafe0 also mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos etc etc

  • @valentinabma
    @valentinabma Před 2 lety

    what a good mini documental!

  • @mahanslt9110
    @mahanslt9110 Před 2 lety

    Thank you.

  • @honhai57
    @honhai57 Před 2 lety +35

    “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”
    ― Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome

  • @e2rqey
    @e2rqey Před 2 lety +266

    While everything he's saying is correct, we talk about these oligarchs as if they are a uniquely Russian thing and aren't a part of British and US society as well. We just don't call them "oligarchs" we call them things like "job creators", "entrepreneurs", or they are individually idolized for their wealth and influence like how Elon Musk is by some people. Don't get it twisted though, they are capable of basically everything these Russian Oligarchs are, if not more.

    • @dimitarmargaritov
      @dimitarmargaritov Před 2 lety +7

      Not every entrepreneur is ultra wealthy though and most are just actually trying to do better for themselves.

    • @e2rqey
      @e2rqey Před 2 lety +57

      @@dimitarmargaritov I never said every entrepeneur was as wealthy/influential as a Russian oligarch. All i said was that Entrepreneur is one of the things that we end up calling our American oligarchs instead of oligarchs. It's very similar to the way that foreign governments the USA likes are called "administrations" while the ones we don't like are called "regimes". At the end of the day its just a reframing of the exact same thing. The Koch's and those kind of people are functionally identical to oligarchs, the only difference is the government backing them

    • @iviv5720
      @iviv5720 Před 2 lety

      You the only smart guy in these comments. Like the western elites probably have double what the Russian elite have

    • @dimitarmargaritov
      @dimitarmargaritov Před 2 lety

      @@e2rqey The difference is most of the US entrepreneurs created their companies out of nothing and didnt privatize the government assets in shady deals.

    • @MrGreFunky
      @MrGreFunky Před 2 lety +15

      Bang on Sean. Also with western geopolitical goals being hindered by Russia in Ukraine, it's easy to see why the media is reporting on this.

  • @thibaultbogaerts7866
    @thibaultbogaerts7866 Před rokem

    good work

  • @jacquelinejudge1659
    @jacquelinejudge1659 Před rokem

    Fantastic documentary

  • @ClickBoom290
    @ClickBoom290 Před 2 lety +90

    Serious VICE can you do one for the U.S. oligarchs too?

    • @mayaram2411
      @mayaram2411 Před 2 lety +20

      Second this. The Russian oligarchs are brazen thieves, but the American tech oligarchs still have an undeserved air of respectability.

    • @guyst-pierre5464
      @guyst-pierre5464 Před 2 lety

      Impossible, vice is now mainstream media... Sad how it got polluted with political bullshit since a couple of years

    • @radina92
      @radina92 Před 2 lety +1

      what is U.S. oligarchs?

    • @lisavanderpump7475
      @lisavanderpump7475 Před 2 lety +1

      @@radina92 lmaoooo

    • @MCroppered
      @MCroppered Před 2 lety +2

      @@radina92 oligarch is just a businessman with political influence, the entire US political class is bought by donors, the NRA, big pharma, military/defence contractor neo-con stakeholders are all oligarchs.

  • @JackLauricourt
    @JackLauricourt Před 2 lety +18

    Thanks for this eye-opening episode. I really enjoyed watching, just wish it was longer! 😂

  • @Pickled73
    @Pickled73 Před rokem +1

    Someone Should put together one of these tours around Washington DC and Virginia. There certainly would be no shortage of destinations.

    • @souvikrc4499
      @souvikrc4499 Před rokem

      Or major cities like NYC, or even the $200 million steel mill funded by Russian money in Kentucky

  • @barrygraham1754
    @barrygraham1754 Před 3 měsíci +2

    Confiscate all their real estate holdings as per sanctions

  • @sarahflanagan9345
    @sarahflanagan9345 Před 2 lety +312

    I love the line at the end where he says "Kleptocracy is terrorism". This rampant pillaging of money from a country (Russia), leaving it impoverished and vulnerable to an evil man like Putin is appalling.

    • @leegarnier9396
      @leegarnier9396 Před 2 lety +16

      @Sarah Flanagan: I understand that you would infer this meaning, but let's not put words in his mouth. He does not actually say he equates kleptocracy to terrorism. What he literally says is that dealing with kleptocracy should require the same amount of attention from the government as it has given to terrorism.
      I absolutely agree with your sentiment. Kleptocracy might be even more damaging to society due to its relative obscurity.
      Look, I know I'm being pedantic here and I hope you won't take it as a personal offence. We live in an age of misinformation where the underlying message will be dismissed by others due to a misrepresentation of facts.

    • @annychest718
      @annychest718 Před 2 lety

      @@leegarnier9396
      Putin is a terrorist..Fact !
      Communism enabled him..
      Who invented Communism?

    • @One.Zero.One101
      @One.Zero.One101 Před 2 lety +1

      It’s so disgusting selling out your own citizens for foreign billionaires. When people who voted for you can’t even pay rent and then you take bribes from these russian billionaires so they can buy up all the uk properties. Disgusting.

    • @BogdanWeiss
      @BogdanWeiss Před 2 lety

      Just don't mention the oligarch who bankrolled Zelensky & also payed off Hunter Biden - 2 puppet crack heads controlled by the same puppet master...

    • @HelenaMikas
      @HelenaMikas Před 2 lety

      an evil man like Johnson is no better than an evil man like Putin .Your democracy is fading fast and Johnson will not be moved .

  • @firuzmiah9794
    @firuzmiah9794 Před 2 lety +13

    All the middle eastern rich people should learn from this. Investing billions in uk 🇬🇧 and western countries but some point everything will be sanctions. So invest money on your own country and people and stop investing in foreign land for your own benefit.

  • @michaelp9061
    @michaelp9061 Před 2 lety +2

    The uk enabled it and now taking possession of that money. How despicable.

  • @donaldmwenesi4964
    @donaldmwenesi4964 Před 2 lety +2

    The episode only opens up debate on how foreigners own UK's real estate rather than the ordinary citizen, also the shell companies are located in the British virgin islands that were orchestrated by the British elite.

  • @LS-et6se
    @LS-et6se Před 2 lety +87

    I hope this guy will stay safe. I would be scared for my life if I were him, after exposing so much

    • @web-navigator
      @web-navigator Před 2 lety

      Of course YOU were.

    • @ProfessorFatMan
      @ProfessorFatMan Před 2 lety +2

      You can google most of this stuff and if you dig deep enough you can surprise yourself.

    • @Beantown-ld1sg
      @Beantown-ld1sg Před 2 lety +4

      He didn’t expose anything,it’s only a big deal because of the bullshyt with Ukraine……

  • @rdflo6739
    @rdflo6739 Před 2 lety +7

    Great work! We need to hear more about this, and get to work on changing society to stop this. A long road ahead I fear..

  • @runyourpocketsg9811
    @runyourpocketsg9811 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Government dosent give a crap about things that would lose them money. But yet the rest of us are expected to be good little citizens. No thanks.

  • @pup4corn
    @pup4corn Před rokem +1

    They should do this for Manhattan lmao 🤣

  • @TheFreshSpam
    @TheFreshSpam Před 2 lety +18

    The laundering is probably what keeps the books balanced for the country most the time. Rather it here than Suadi Arabia, Turkey etc.

    • @billsmith53
      @billsmith53 Před 2 lety +8

      This is 1000% the right answer. Despite what they say to the press, the British government loves and probably needs the "investment".

    • @xGribbles
      @xGribbles Před 2 lety

      @@billsmith53 How do they need private investment into property lmao, half the time these fuckers don’t pay tax.

    • @sammyb3323
      @sammyb3323 Před 2 lety

      @@billsmith53 But yeah, lets feed and house every person from other countries in the UK before we feed and house our OWN PEOPLE

    • @shellshockedgerman3947
      @shellshockedgerman3947 Před 2 lety

      @@sammyb3323 What does that have to do with anything? These oligarchs are probably worth a hell of a lot more compared to native Brits.

    • @sammyb3323
      @sammyb3323 Před 2 lety

      @@shellshockedgerman3947 the uk aint big enough for everybody

  • @eid8fkebe7f27ejdjdjduyhsvqhwu2

    "Welcome to cleptocracy tour"
    *Shows the parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum*

  • @sabrinakopekova507
    @sabrinakopekova507 Před 2 lety

    Fantastic video!!! Thank you for this information and this tour is fucking epic!

  • @themusijoshow3763
    @themusijoshow3763 Před 2 lety

    His shirt... Seems deliberate 😂

  • @glennabela6005
    @glennabela6005 Před 2 lety +72

    Oligarchs exist in every country including the so called progressive West. Make no mistake about that.

    • @lorenzoblum868
      @lorenzoblum868 Před 2 lety +3

      Corruption is not endemic.

    • @carcotasu081
      @carcotasu081 Před 2 lety +1

      Maybe, but at least the Western rich don't steal the country's wealth like the Russian oligarchs do. Why do you think the average Russian is so dirt-poor?

    • @MrGolondrinaMan
      @MrGolondrinaMan Před 2 lety +1

      @@lorenzoblum868 Yes it is, corruption is endemic to power, wherever it may be

    • @lorenzoblum868
      @lorenzoblum868 Před 2 lety

      @@MrGolondrinaMan you misspelled intrinsic.

    • @MrGolondrinaMan
      @MrGolondrinaMan Před 2 lety

      @@lorenzoblum868 Intrinsic is a more accurate term for it, yes, but endemic also refers to something negative that repeats frequently.

  • @JuelFishScale2
    @JuelFishScale2 Před 2 lety +6

    This was so good. I had no idea. Thanks Vice for another banger!!

  • @eric_on-yt7022
    @eric_on-yt7022 Před rokem

    Your the best man keep up the great work and keep doing what you love

  • @edwardhumphries4752
    @edwardhumphries4752 Před 8 měsíci

    Fair play for wearing the money shirt for this interview 😂

  • @josephsunday9183
    @josephsunday9183 Před 2 lety +26

    Why have you not research and write about Nigeria government or Nigerians who have served and stolen, looted the treasury to British Banks? Please research and investigate this for the good people of Nigeria 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬

  • @TheMonkeyNetwork
    @TheMonkeyNetwork Před 2 lety +13

    Some light is shed upon Russian “oligarchs”. But this whole notion isn’t exclusive to the one party, the bigger picture is being missed.

  • @The84336
    @The84336 Před 8 měsíci +1

    My grandparents once were acquainted with a woman whose daughter used to be married to Roman Abramovich, and apparently she was constantly buying real estate that she shouldn’t have been able to afford.

  • @D-E-S_8559
    @D-E-S_8559 Před 2 lety +11

    The story of the Russian Oligarchs reads exactly like a single page from that of the African Afrogarchs, who've been at this corruption game alongside their former colonial enablers for much much much longer, without the possibility of ANY sanctions...

  • @lindasvensson593
    @lindasvensson593 Před 2 lety +12

    this man talks serious business, especially his shirt

  • @karatsurba4791
    @karatsurba4791 Před 2 lety +8

    Nice
    Could u also present how our politicians evade taxes n the kickbacks they take next 🙂

  • @agbonjoshuajesse6600
    @agbonjoshuajesse6600 Před 2 lety

    This documentary is deep and revealing

  • @j.aguirre-mcmorrow1501

    Quality content

  • @J_Urban_
    @J_Urban_ Před 2 lety +55

    No one worth millions or more, became this way by staying on the side of being morally correct.

    • @miatamatt7105
      @miatamatt7105 Před 2 lety

      Well spoken

    • @bigtuna4010
      @bigtuna4010 Před 2 lety

      o

    • @samgoddard2617
      @samgoddard2617 Před 2 lety

      that’s a bullshit generalization

    • @e2rqey
      @e2rqey Před 2 lety

      The only thing I can think of is like a lottery winner or something like that

    • @GuyIncognito764
      @GuyIncognito764 Před 2 lety

      true, if you raise your bar maybe. I know plenty of millionaires who have integrity. I'd agree, in general, at around 10million today and there are always exceptions. Your statement is a bit scary to me with it being so concrete....

  • @frogstock2597
    @frogstock2597 Před 2 lety +7

    I deal with these people in a daily basis as clients around Kensington, Maida Vale, St John's wood areas... They knock down houses and build new ones worth 20+ million like it's nothing. They wash their money buying and building then sell on

  • @amithasan7161
    @amithasan7161 Před 11 měsíci +1

    I hope this guy will stay safe.

  • @Andre-hz8yx
    @Andre-hz8yx Před 2 lety +1

    I am glad you showed this and it should be shown to everyone.

  • @bodygraber
    @bodygraber Před 2 lety +43

    Who owned all this property before the Russians? They didn't seem to have a problem selling it to them. Who were previous oligarchs?

    • @jponz85
      @jponz85 Před 2 lety +6

      Exactly my point to which I commented in another thread saying that inevitably if it isn't the Russians who own these properties it would be someone else either way so what's the problem? Lol

    • @carcotasu081
      @carcotasu081 Před 2 lety +25

      Well, most probably were the heirs of old British noble families.

    • @jarlbalgruufthegreater1758
      @jarlbalgruufthegreater1758 Před 2 lety

      Oligarchs from a democratic country are always better than chinese and russian oligarchs. We shouldn feed the dictators puppets anyways

    • @sevenhelmets
      @sevenhelmets Před 2 lety +8

      The tube station featured in the clip would’ve been owned by the London tax payer. So the people.

    • @Captain__Obvious
      @Captain__Obvious Před 2 lety +5

      @@sevenhelmets If you consider Lord Ashfield and the Henry Wellcome Estate to be common London tax paying folk and not oligarchs themselves then sure

  • @uprightape100
    @uprightape100 Před 2 lety +101

    Thank you so much, VICE. Housing costs in London might be more affordable if those properties were to be seized and auctioned off to "Brit citizens only", if that's legal. Or maybe subdivided as housing for teachers or other useful types. That Firtash home could become a "Museum Of Kleptocracy".
    Good idea, yeah?

    • @techcafe0
      @techcafe0 Před 2 lety +1

      Ukraine has its own Museum of Kleptocracy & Corruption czcams.com/video/fSZOalfBX9Q/video.html Viktor Yanukovych, an oligarch allied with Russia. Yanukovych eventually fled to Russia into the arms of Putin, after the EuroMaidan protests in Kyiv's Independenc Square.

    • @likemy
      @likemy Před 2 lety +9

      the auction would instead be won by a Chinese or a Khazak kleptocrat.

    • @Fharenheit
      @Fharenheit Před 2 lety

      If they are auctioned, only the wealthy will get them... mdbthen keavebthem empty.. because its an auction. I dont think thats a good idea

    • @domore1287
      @domore1287 Před 2 lety

      Your country will go poop, every country need foreign exchange

    • @That1GGirl
      @That1GGirl Před 2 lety

      That’s racist af! It’s like saying usa can only rent or sell to white Americans, not Mexicans

  • @BUILT2KEEL
    @BUILT2KEEL Před rokem +1

    This is great though pointing out houses, people need to resort to more extreme measures until laws are publicly passed. We cant be lied to anymore, been happening for far too long!

    • @jamaly77
      @jamaly77 Před rokem

      Similar to WW2 ands Nazi Germany. Always easier to blame one specific group, in this case the Russians and their oligarchs.

  • @peninasemira363
    @peninasemira363 Před 10 měsíci +1

    You can't stop the Oligarchs, the Establishment loves their money

  • @pacmonkruz9846
    @pacmonkruz9846 Před 2 lety +8

    Politician’s work, USA has a bunch of them

  • @davidshapiro383
    @davidshapiro383 Před 2 lety +5

    We watched Mr Firtash's property being constructed behind the old and unused Brompton Square tube station in Knightsbridge as we lived next door for 14 years and very nice it is too. Never did see him.

    • @AdamAlkishawi
      @AdamAlkishawi Před 2 lety

      Vice did a piece years ago about anarchists occupying empty mansions across London and now it all makes sense, who would pay hundreds of millions for a luxury home only to leave it sitting empty?? Now we know why.

    • @thomaspickup3304
      @thomaspickup3304 Před 2 lety

      I’ve always wondered how people can afford to buy in areas like this, what is it you do? Also never understood the appeal given the noise etc, why not live in much bigger house further out of London

    • @davidshapiro383
      @davidshapiro383 Před 2 lety +1

      @@thomaspickup3304 Our story is unique but we did not have to pay for the apartment (6 story townhouse with a 3-bed apartment on each floor). One year, around 15 years back a Russian family came to view the property next door. They ended up paying 13M GBP for the whole house and we've never seen them since. One wonders whether it was their money or if it belonged to the Russian people! I supply equipment to and build radio & television stations.

    • @thomaspickup3304
      @thomaspickup3304 Před 2 lety

      @@davidshapiro383 thank you for replying and sorry for the nosiness. How come you didn’t have to pay for your apartment ? Did you like living there and get to know your neighbours? I’ve always wanted to knock on the doors in Kensington etc and just hear their story, it would be fascinating.

    • @davidshapiro383
      @davidshapiro383 Před 2 lety

      @@thomaspickup3304 14 years in Knightsbridge before emigrating. My wife received the apartment as part of her job. I succeeded in a broadcasting licence tender here in Cyprus in 2013 and we already owned property here so, we moved at different times in 2014. Met a lot of both influential and well-known people during the time we lived there. Some were neighbours and others at house parties. Contacts make the world go round don't you know:-)

  • @libelldrian173
    @libelldrian173 Před 2 lety +17

    In my opinion allowing the sell of property to rich foreign investors who don't even personally use the buildings is one of the most perverted political crimes in practice, especially where real estate markets feel a lot of pressure due to high demand.

    • @jashkons
      @jashkons Před rokem

      I guess you have no idea where and from who banks buy gold etc

    • @brownwolf152
      @brownwolf152 Před 7 měsíci

      I own several apartment complex, so am I corrupt because I don't live there.

  • @lac8356
    @lac8356 Před rokem +1

    Why doesn't the UK just seize property

  • @greyfells2829
    @greyfells2829 Před 2 lety +9

    The good doctor will sacrifice the limb to save the body.

  • @evilemuempire9550
    @evilemuempire9550 Před 2 lety +41

    Russians: Why do you always cast us as bad guys
    Also Russian oligarch: buys a metro station that definitely hasn’t been converted to an evil lair

    • @usernotfound904
      @usernotfound904 Před 2 lety +1

      Lair*

    • @evilemuempire9550
      @evilemuempire9550 Před 2 lety +2

      @@usernotfound904 lol, you right, I fixed it

    • @Vovan07
      @Vovan07 Před 2 lety

      Well you have the 500 Russian oligarchs who are enabled by western governments to rob the entire nation of regular Russian people most of whom are piss poor now. So who are the real bad guys in this situation?

    • @evilemuempire9550
      @evilemuempire9550 Před 2 lety

      @@Vovan07 Definitely the Russian oligarchs, don’t get me wrong, enabling them definitely isn’t right, but just saying oligarchs will be oligarchs so don’t enable them isn’t really fair, these people can choose to not be evil scumbags and rob their countries blind, but they don’t.

    • @daniels1263
      @daniels1263 Před 2 lety

      It is pretty cool

  • @luckieoleary6459
    @luckieoleary6459 Před 2 lety +1

    How is it a bad idea…when you’re not the one selling them those property and assets. Is it really your decision to decide?

  • @chrismckernan2955
    @chrismckernan2955 Před 2 lety +1

    I don't agree that the British government have turned a blind eye to these oligarchs due to the financial benefits they bring with them. I also think that the British government also looked the other way not just the billions they bring and invest in Britain but also all the other influential people and businesses that boost the economy

  • @adamcheklat7387
    @adamcheklat7387 Před 2 lety +10

    You’d think those oligarchs would actually get off their thrones and pool all their cash to fix Russia for once.

    • @zackattack635
      @zackattack635 Před 2 lety +2

      Why don’t you say that about American oligarchs who are ruining the US? Other than the fact that American oligarchs own the media outlets that tell you how bad Russia is… and you uncritically believe it. It’s like you people enjoy getting manipulated by liars.

    • @adamcheklat7387
      @adamcheklat7387 Před 2 lety

      @@zackattack635 It was just a suggestion. I’m fully aware of America’s oligarchs.

  • @IIBONESII
    @IIBONESII Před 2 lety +47

    First the Oligarchs payed the Politicans of GB so they vote for the Brexit, then the Politicans let them buy like half of their country and now here we are. How stupid can people be? Brexit was really worth it huh? Good luck and greetings from Europe!

    • @baverfjant
      @baverfjant Před 2 lety +1

      They bought "Half the country" decades before Brexit.

    • @georgehenry76
      @georgehenry76 Před 2 lety

      This all sounds like a European problem.

    • @baverfjant
      @baverfjant Před 2 lety

      @@georgehenry76 And yet America kept on bringing other NATO countries, and even some outside NATO, into their own conflicts. Don't try and weasel out by claiming this problem isn't on your hands too.

    • @georgehenry76
      @georgehenry76 Před 2 lety

      @@baverfjant ain’t nothing on my hands. I’m no lizard person

    • @baverfjant
      @baverfjant Před 2 lety +1

      @@georgehenry76 Lmao

  • @Chimera07
    @Chimera07 Před 2 lety +1

    Come on
    Everyone who stole money from my country went to UK and eventually became its citizens.
    Been hearing that for over a decade, and now finally a British journalist took this story.

  • @barrygraham1754
    @barrygraham1754 Před 3 měsíci +1

    UK needs to investigate, and set new rules and refs for foreign real estate transactions for sure

  • @justwatch843
    @justwatch843 Před 2 lety +22

    There should be an independent investigation about the money that was 'donated' to these politicians and their parties. And all of that money should be clawed back with interest and they should be tried as a criminal.

  • @tu5149
    @tu5149 Před 2 lety +9

    Thanks for the tips vice 👍🏻

  • @rahatahmed6188
    @rahatahmed6188 Před rokem +1

    How do I get a piece of this 😂

  • @biggrhymees88one
    @biggrhymees88one Před rokem +2

    Billionaires don't touch other billionaires, they are peers.

  • @doubtingthomas9612
    @doubtingthomas9612 Před 2 lety +54

    The fact that we get free documentaries on CZcams by VICE News is truly a gift. 👍

    • @decentintoboredom
      @decentintoboredom Před 2 lety +3

      When something is free u are the product

    • @jashsylde8136
      @jashsylde8136 Před 2 lety +1

      Thomas, hey maybe payments are not transparent and obivous, but you watching all them ads aint ya ? Your CZcams watch history is the real commodity being sold. I can judge what type of person you are just by looking at ur watch time and history. I can totally predict what type of products u could buy, what videos games or sports ur interested in, what cosmetics u might use, and what political party you vote for in your country. All this information is worth some money, of course you as a human may carry insignificant monetary value, but ur data cant be auctioned by 1000s of USD worth.

    • @renomontenegro7862
      @renomontenegro7862 Před 2 lety

      @@jashsylde8136, what if you skip all those ads?

    • @jashsylde8136
      @jashsylde8136 Před 2 lety

      @@renomontenegro7862 You still have to watch it in some vids. Un skippable ads are a thing my friend. But There are illegal ways around it. But in the end of the day, CZcams and Google already know this, so they end up selling kinda anonymous data to sell up the difference.

    • @renomontenegro7862
      @renomontenegro7862 Před 2 lety

      @@jashsylde8136, I skipped video with with "unskippable ads" and then watch them using CZcams Vance.... No ads!

  • @charlesmiv3842
    @charlesmiv3842 Před 2 lety +18

    Make them all dirt poor, they surely deserve it.

    • @saulservin4600
      @saulservin4600 Před 2 lety

      Down with the Russian mother land. God bless America and its allies. And bring down the hammer of fate to the guilty to the gates of hell

    • @warlord1207
      @warlord1207 Před 2 lety +3

      they'll be back in the same place

    • @Sccoppe
      @Sccoppe Před rokem

      @@warlord1207 someone gets it 👆

  • @htg97
    @htg97 Před 2 lety +1

    i was wondering about this issue for many years too, but i'm not uk citizen and even don't live there. it's a real shame for so called "advanced" western society

  • @Formed123
    @Formed123 Před 2 lety

    Good old pitchforks and torches. How did this stop the killing?

  • @anilachar323
    @anilachar323 Před 2 lety +3

    Oliver's black shirt printed with bank notes is a subtle statement...

  • @activatekruger446
    @activatekruger446 Před 2 lety +9

    How does “the big guy” hide his ten percent, hmmm??

  • @rossmoniz5032
    @rossmoniz5032 Před 2 lety

    I would watch a series based on this

  • @willmac5642
    @willmac5642 Před rokem

    The only thing keeping UK afloat is property market. What's keeping property market up is the easy money rinsing