Joining the Dots with Thomas Drohan

Thomas is joined by Tom Sefton-Collins, Founder of GhostShift and former GCHQ Head of Operations for offensive cyber and influence, to explore how the online information environment has become a frontline for modern threats. Drawing on 15 years in government across counter terrorism, organised crime, and state-level cyber operations, Tom shares how online influence has evolved from a niche capabil...

In this episode of Joining the Dots , Thomas Drohan is joined by Rachael Herbert , Director of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), to explore how economic crime is playing out closer to home than many people realise. Rachael explains how money laundering, illicit finance and organised crime are increasingly embedded in everyday places – including the UK high street – and why tackling these...

In this episode of Joining the Dots , Thomas is joined by Jamie Bartlett , journalist, author and creator of the BBC podcast The Missing Cryptoqueen , for a wide-ranging conversation on emerging technology, influence and how society responds when innovation outpaces institutions. Jamie reflects on his career tracking the social impact of new technologies, from the dark web and cryptocurrencies to...

In this episode of Joining the Dots , Thomas is joined by Tony Sales, Co‑Founder of We Fight FinCrime and a former prolific fraudster, for a candid conversation about the realities of economic crime - from both sides of the line. Tony shares his journey from a childhood shaped by organised crime and years spent committing fraud, to prison, rehabilitation, and ultimately using his lived experience...

In this episode of Joining the Dots , Thomas is joined by Matt Horne, Director of Intelligence and Investigations at Clue and former National Crime Agency Gold Commander, to unpack one of the most significant law enforcement operations in UK history: Operation Venetic . Matt provides a rare insider account of how UK and international law enforcement disrupted EncroChat - a supposedly impregnable e...

Thomas is joined by Will Lyne, former Deputy Director of the National Crime Agency’s Cyber Intelligence team, and Matt Horne, Director of Intelligence and Investigations at Clue and Chair of TechUK’s National Security Committee, for a fireside chat on today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape.  They explore how cybercrime has transformed into a global criminal ecosystem – lowering barriers to entr...

In this powerful episode, Thomas sits down with Anna Rowe – survivor, activist, and founder of Catch the Catfish – to uncover the disturbing reality of romance fraud. Anna shares her deeply personal journey, from being manipulated by a serial fraudster living a double life to becoming one of the UK’s leading voices on deception in online dating. Together, they explore how emotional manipulation, p...

Join Thomas for a remarkable conversation with Will Lyne, former Deputy Director and Head of Cyber Intelligence at the UK’s National Crime Agency, as they unpack Operation Destabilise – a landmark investigation into one of the world’s most prolific money laundering networks. What began with tracking ransomware payments on the blockchain led Will’s team to a sprawling illicit finance ecosystem conn...

Join Thomas for a compelling conversation with Alex Rothwell, CEO of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, as they delve into one of the UK’s most complex and emotive crime landscapes: fraud in the National Health Service.  From insider threats and procurement scams to multi-million-pound prescription fraud and criminal infiltration of NHS supply chains, Alex shares how his decades in policing and cybe...

Mark Button – Inside West Africa’s cybercrime ‘kingdoms’ Join Thomas for a revealing conversation with Professor Mark Button, Director of the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime at the University of Portsmouth, as they delve into the hidden world of global fraud and the rise of sophisticated scam networks across West Africa. Drawing on years of frontline research, Mark unpacks how deep-rooted...

Join Thomas for a compelling conversation with Laura Eshelby, former Cabinet Office counter fraud leader, as she unpacks two decades on the front lines of the UK’s fight against fraud. Starting her career as a graduate trainee and auditor, Laura quickly rose through the ranks to lead complex financial investigations into high-value legal aid fraud. Together, they explore how fraud has transformed...

Join Thomas for a revealing conversation with Nick Sharp, Deputy Director of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), as they unravel the hidden web of fraud and financial crime that’s costing the UK billions every year.  From romance scams and impersonation fraud to international laundering networks stretching from Southeast Asia to West Africa, Nick lifts the lid on the staggering scale and co...

Join Thomas as he speaks with Martin Dubbey, a former UK drug liaison officer turned international investigator, whose career spans from narcotics investigations in Customs and Excise to exposing one of the most audacious doping scandals in modern sport.  Martin shares how his transition into private investigation led him to work alongside whistleblower Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov in uncovering the Rus...

Join Thomas as he dives into a fascinating conversation with Sarah Lewis OBE OLY, Olympic ski racer turned Secretary General of the International Skiing Federation (FIS), where she spent over two decades leading one of sport’s most crucial but complex battles - anti-doping.  From the explosive Lahti scandal in 2001 to the shocking revelations at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, Sarah recounts...

In this episode, Ian Smith, Commissioner of the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), explores the fast-growing world of esports and its integrity challenges. Drawing from his experience tackling match-fixing in cricket, Ian explains his move into esports, where competitive gaming has surged in popularity, with players earning significant incomes and millions of fans.  Key issues include cheating t...

In this episode, Thomas sits down with Neville Blackwood, a seasoned international law enforcement consultant and former senior police officer, to delve into the complexities of global policing.   Neville recounts his journey from joining Thames Valley Police in 1982 to leading undercover operations against organised crime in Europe, which fueled his passion for international law enforcement.   Th...

Join Thomas as he delves into an enthralling conversation with Phil Suddick, the Head of Sport and Safeguarding at Clue Software, unravelling his remarkable career journey from law enforcement to becoming a torchbearer for sports integrity.   Drawing from his specialised background in covert operations, Phil unveils how his prowess in undercover intelligence work paved the way for his seamless tra...

Thomas joins Adam Pacifico, as the lawyer and leadership podcaster shares his unconventional career trajectory from barrister to police officer and back. This episode explores how technology shaped Adam’s work in law over the years and underscores the importance of meticulous detail and rationale in investigations. Discover how the passage of time influences memory and decision-making and learn ab...

Join Thomas as he delves into the intricate world of organised crime and technology with Matt Horne, a former detective with a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement. As the former Deputy Director of Investigations at the National Crime Agency, Matt led Operation Venetic, a groundbreaking UK operation that dismantled an encrypted communications network used by criminals worldwide (more on...

In this compelling episode, Thomas sits down with Peter Spindler to delve into his distinguished career in law enforcement, spotlighting his pivotal role in Operation Yewtree. Spindler shares his journey from joining the police to spearheading one of the most significant investigations in UK history - the probe into sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile and others.  Listeners will gain a f...

Join Thomas as he enters the complex world of financial crime with reformed fraudster Alex Wood, and Clue Software’s Director of Intelligence and Investigations, Matt Horne, a seasoned former law enforcement leader and economic crime expert.  With raw honesty, Alex recounts his past transgressions, unveiling how he exploited vulnerabilities to orchestrate cyber-enabled fraud, leaving a trail of de...

Joining the Dots provides real-world insights from those dedicated to justice, harm reduction, and global security. Hosted by Thomas Drohan, technologist and co-founder of Clue Software, each episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of those on the frontline tackling real issues like child abuse, human trafficking, corruption, organised crime, and fraud. Thomas leverages his experience work...