Seize & Desist

Oliver Bullough has written three books on how dirty money moves around the world. His single biggest finding is so low-tech it almost sounds like a joke. Jason Sandoval, former DEA special agent and Asset Reality’s Head of European Operations, spent thirty years chasing the same problem. One investigated it, the other wrote about it. Together, they unpack why the global system for tackling money...

Jill Thomas speaks with Tristram Hicks about why cash seizure is one of the most powerful tools available to law enforcement and what it takes to build asset recovery systems that deliver at scale. As one of the lead practitioners behind the UK's Proceeds of Crime Act and an international capacity building adviser, Tristram explains what turns legislation into results, why financial DNA changes ho...

Aidan Larkin speaks with Tara Kavanaugh, a federal investigator with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and liaison to the FBI's dark‑web opioid task force. Tara draws on a career spanning HUMINT work in the Middle East, signals intelligence at the NSA and crypto‑enabled investigations at USPIS to explain how modern crime moves across the mail system, the dark web, and digital‑asset ecosys...

Aidan Larkin sits down with Sal Melki, Deputy Director at the UK’s National Crime Agency and senior leader at the National Economic Crime Centre, to unpack how illicit finance really works today, from local cash couriers to global money laundering networks.  Sal shares frontline insight on why money laundering is now easier than ever, how technology and crypto are reshaping criminal networks,...

This episode was originally recorded for Times Radio on 13th November 2025. In this special bonus episode, Aidan Larkin joins Hugo Rifkind on Times Radio to discuss what happens after a major seizure and why the landmark £5.1bn crypto seizure could redefine how governments handle digital assets. In November 2025, a Chinese national dubbed the “Bit Queen” was sentenced to several years in prison fo...

Aidan Larkin sits down with Erin West and Detective Matthew Hogan of Operation Shamrock to unpack the global 'scamdemic' that’s devastating victims and fuelling organised crime, exploring the human cost behind crypto-enabled fraud. Erin and Matthew share frontline insights on why law enforcement struggles to keep pace, how AI is supercharging scams and what...

Aidan Larkin talks with Canadian lawyer Jessica Stansfield about the evolving landscape of digital asset recovery. From tackling cryptocurrency fraud to navigating the complexities of tracing assets on the blockchain, Jessica shares her experience helping victims overcome legal and enforcement challenges. She also explores emerging trends, the growing role of technology in asset recovery, and the...

What does it take to fight economic crime on a global scale?  In this episode of Seize and Desist , Aidan Larkin speaks with Adrian Searle, former director of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), who takes us inside its unique multi-agency approach to tackling financial crime. Adrian explains why collaboration across law enforcement, government, and the private sector matters, how globa...

When billions in dirty money move through hidden pipelines, who stops it?   In this episode, Aidan Larkin speaks with investigative journalist and co-founder of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Paul Radu, about the uphill battle to reclaim stolen assets. Paul reveals how real estate has become a global laundromat for illicit cash and why political will and public...

In this conversation, Aidan Larkin sits down with Rich Lebel, Director of the Transaction Record Analysis Center (TRAC), to unpack the strategies law enforcement uses to stay ahead of digital money laundering and crypto-enabled fraud.  They examine sophisticated laundering schemes, the rise of crypto ATM fraud, and the challenges of cross-border investigations, highlighting why collaboration,...

In this episode of Seize and Desist , Aidan is joined by Nils von Schoenaich-Carolath (Chief Growth Officer at Tradias) to explore the challenges governments face when liquidating seized digital assets. They unpack the operational and regulatory hurdles involved, from compliance and whitelisting to best practices in asset management, and examine how collaboration with crypto-native institutio...

In this episode, Aidan speaks with Carmel King, Partner at Grant Thornton UK, about the role of insolvency practitioners and liquidators in recovering assets lost to fraud and financial crime, especially in the context of digital assets. They discuss how these powers work alongside law enforcement efforts and why collaboration, trust, and clear communication between the public and private sectors...

In this conversation, Aidan Larkin sits down with Dr. Max Bernt (TaxBit) to explore the future of asset recovery in a digital-first world. They dive into how data aggregation, crypto, and stablecoins are transforming investigations - and why practitioners have reason for optimism.  Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Background  04:00 – Inside the Digital Asset Recovery Ecosystem  0...

In this conversation, Aidan Larkin sits down with Alison Jimenez, President of Dynamic Securities Analytics and AML expert witness, to unpack the realities of crypto crime, the challenges it poses for asset recovery, and the risks surrounding strategic Bitcoin reserves.  They explore how digital assets are used for illicit purposes, why a common industry definition matters, the critical role...

In this conversation, Aidan Larkin explores the complexities of international money laundering with Miles Johnson, investigative reporter for the Financial Times and author of Chasing Shadows (2023).  Drawing on Miles’ reporting and research, they examine the intricate connections between organised crime and global finance, the challenges faced by law enforcement in dismantling these net...

In this conversation, host Aidan Larkin discusses Interpol’s pivotal role in global law enforcement with Nick Court, the Assistant Director at Interpol's Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. They explore the launch of the Silver Notice, a new tool designed to help recover criminal assets across borders, its potential to strengthen international cooperation, and what it could mean for t...

In this episode, host Aidan Larkin delves into the intricate world of FATF compliance with Liz Lees, the former national coordinator for the Cayman Islands. They explore the unique challenges smaller jurisdictions face in aligning with global standards, emphasizing the pivotal role of asset recovery.   Join us as Liz shares her insights on building effective compliance frameworks and overcomi...

“This is the model of Italian Renaissance banking.” In this episode of Seize & Desist, host Aidan Larkin sits down with renowned financial crime journalist Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland (2019) and Butler to the World (2022) , to discuss why global money laundering continues to be an uphill battle despite decades of international effort. Aidan and Oliver explore the roots and evolution o...

In our final conversation of the year, our SVP of Client Relations, Joanna Summers , sits down with Stefan Cassella , a former federal prosecutor with more than three decades of experience in international asset forfeiture who has authored over 50 law review articles and played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing federal asset forfeiture laws in the US and abroad. In this episode, Joanna and S...

In this special episode of Seize & Desist, our host, Aidan Larkin , sits down with blockchain intelligence specialist, author and Asset Reality co-founder Nick Furneaux for a behind-the-scenes look at his second book, ‘There’s No Such Thing As Crypto Crime’, and the challenges of writing it over the last two years while balancing work, family, and building a house. Nick shares his journey from...

“If the decision-makers keep deciding that digital assets are just this fringe thing, there’s going to be a missed opportunity” In this episode of Seize & Desist, our host, Aidan Larkin, explores tax compliance and enforcement in cryptocurrency with Miles Fuller, the director of government solutions at Taxbit, former senior counsel with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and former Special Assist...

“The bad guys are going to continue to find ways to hide money in plain sight.” In this episode, Asset Reality’s US Compliance Officer David Tyree shares his experiences with asset seizures while working as a Resident Agent in Charge at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). David explores the complexities of non-conviction-based forfeiture with our host Aidan Larkin, emphasising the importanc...

“No one's taking action without a court order.” In this special episode, we explore the complexities of cryptocurrency seizures with Joanna Summers, our SVP of Client Relations and resident seized asset specialist, after an extended introduction from David Tyree, our US Compliance Officer and former Resident Agent in Charge at the DEA. Aidan and Joanna unpack the latest asset seizure headlines and...

“It’s going to be pivotal for us to keep up with where criminals are going” In this episode, Aidan and Kristen explore the future direction of cryptocurrency compliance. Kristen shares her perspective on the international effectiveness of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the challenges of implementing the travel rule, and the significance of sanctions in asset recovery to combat financial c...

“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. T...