Stolen Podcast

Episode 3 - Ari Redbord of TRM Labs - Cracking Down on Transnational Organized Crime with Blockchain Intelligence

In this episode of Stolen, a Podcast with Erin West, Erin chats with Ari Redbord, the global head of policy for TRM Labs, about the role of TRM Labs in helping combat transnational organized crime through blockchain intelligence. They discuss topics such as cryptocurrency tracing, financial crime prevention, and victim recovery. The conversation delves into specific tools and technologies TRM Labs uses to assist law enforcement, including their Tracers program, and the significance of TRM's training initiatives for state and local law enforcement. They also explore the phenomenon of 'pig butchering' scams, the paradox of cryptocurrency's utility for both lawful and illicit activities, and the recent FinCEN action against Huione, a significant player in the Crypto money laundering world. The episode wraps up with insights into the collaborative community and the importance of innovative approaches in tackling international financial crimes.
 
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:20 ChatGPT's Insight on Ari Redbord
02:32 Ari's Career Journey and TRM Labs
04:10 TRM Labs and Its Mission
08:58 Understanding Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
12:13 Law Enforcement and Cryptocurrency
17:46 Challenges and Cooperation in Crypto Investigations
24:45 Sanctions and Tools Against Transnational Crime
27:35 Understanding the Patriot Act's Section 311
28:43 US Government's Actions Against Transnational Scammers
30:04 TRM Labs' Role in Supporting Law Enforcement
32:09 Operation Shamrock and Chain Abuse Portal
36:37 Insights from the IC3 Report on Crypto Crimes
42:03 The TRM Running Club: Building Community Through Running
46:17 Innovative Approaches to Combatting Transnational Crime
50:40 TRM Bootcamps: Training Law Enforcement
52:46 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions
 
I giant thank you to our first sponsor: TRM Labs
 
TRM Labs - Blockchain Investigations & Risk Management -Investigate, monitor, and detect crypto and digital asset fraud and financial crime
 
TRM Labs
stolenapodcast@gmail.com
 
Operation Shamrock
 
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Inside the Shadows of Scams: Unveiling Scam Compounds with Cezary Podkul (Ep 2)

Stolen host Erin West sits down with investigative journalist Cezary Podkul to delve into the dark world of international scam compounds.
Cezary shares his background in finance journalism and his deep dive into cybercrime after moving to Asia. The discussion focuses on the origins and operations of scam compounds in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
Cezary recounts his first-hand experiences visiting these sites, the shocking conditions, and the unsettling levels of violence.
Erin and Cezary cover the difficulty of fighting this criminal industry, emphasizing the need for public awareness and international cooperation. The episode also touches on the Philippines' efforts to dismantle these operations and highlights Cezary's upcoming book, 'The Big Trace,' which aims to provide an authoritative look into this pressing issue.
 
EDITORS NOTE: We misspoke when we called the PAOCC the "Philippines Anti-Organized Crime Commission," the correct name is the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission of the Philippines.
 
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:41 Cezary Podkul's Background and Career
02:52 The Big Trace: Uncovering Scam Compounds
03:25 Discovering Scam Compounds: A Journalist's Journey
04:50 The Shocking Reality of Scam Compounds
07:47 Exploring Scam Compounds in the Philippines
10:02 Inside the Scam Compounds: A Detailed Look
11:14 The Dark Side of POGO Operations
12:40 The Violent Reality of Scam Compounds
17:20 Transforming a Crime Den into a Police Headquarters
25:04 A Survivor's Story: From Victim to Advocate
30:49 Investigating Bamban: A Unique Insight
32:38 Exploring the Scam Compound
33:06 Living Conditions in the Dormitories
35:44 Hierarchy and Lifestyle of the Bosses
36:27 Torture and Human Trafficking
38:50 The Raid and Its Aftermath
39:26 The Criminal Free Zones
42:02 Inside the Boss's Mansion
46:31 The Scale of Illicit Wealth
49:24 The Fight Against Scam Compounds
52:23 Conclusion and Call to Action
 
Thank you to our first sponsor: TRM Labs
 
TRM Labs - Blockchain Investigations & Risk Management -Investigate, monitor, and detect crypto and digital asset fraud and financial crime
 
Cezary's upcoming book: 'The Big Trace'
Cezary’s companion newsletter for the book, which has updates on his travels: The Big Trace Newsletter
Operation Shamrock
 
 

Unveiling the World of Financial Scams: Welcome to the Stolen Podcast with Erin West (Ep 1)

In the inaugural episode of Stolen, a podcast, Erin West shares her journey from being a local prosecutor to becoming a crusader against transnational organized crime.
 
Erin discusses the compelling reasons behind starting this podcast and the staggering scale of financial scams orchestrated by organized criminals. She reveals her motivation rooted in witnessing countless victims lose their life savings and the little-known aspect of human traffickers driving these scams from compounds in Southeast Asia.
 
The episode sheds light on the intersection of financial crime, technology, and human trafficking. Erin also introduces Operation Shamrock, her initiative to combat these crimes through education, seizure, and disruption. The conversation aims to raise awareness and educate listeners about the pervasive and sophisticated nature of these scams, emphasizing the need for a collective fight against them.
 
00:00 Welcome to Stolen
01:34 The Spark Behind the Podcast
02:04 Unveiling the Financial Crime Crisis
03:24 From Prosecutor to Advocate
16:59 The Birth of Operation Shamrock
25:59 Understanding Pig Butchering
37:24 The Human Trafficking Connection
41:06 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
 
A giant thank you to our first sponsor: TRM Labs
 
TRM Labs - Blockchain Investigations & Risk Management -Investigate, monitor, and detect crypto and digital asset fraud and financial crime
 
TRM Labs
https://operationshamrock.org/
 
#stolenapodcastwitherinwest #erinwest #operationshamrock #pigbutchering #cybercrime #organizedcrime #transnationalorganizedcrime #stolenpodcast #stolenapodcast #scams #fraud #TRM #TRMLabs
 

Introducing Stolen, a Podcast with Erin West

The Podcast 'Stolen' with Erin West introduces and examines the biggest modern threat that many are unaware of is unveiled: the rapidly evolving world of digital crime and fraud. From identity theft and fake investment schemes to multinational Ponzi schemes and ransomware attacks, these crimes are vast and sophisticated. As organized crime syndicates leverage technology to perpetrate their schemes, former prosecutor Erin West and her team delve deep into the stories behind these nefarious acts. They explore how these criminals operate, the impact on society, and the urgent need to address this escalating threat. Notably, the episode highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence in these crimes, urging listeners to stay vigilant. Tune in to 'Stolen' to uncover the hidden world of cybercrime and learn about the efforts to combat it.
 
00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Threat of Modern Crime
00:44 The Vast and Varied Nature of Modern Crime
01:02 Known Criminals and Their Sophisticated Operations
01:22 The Impact on Society and the Role of AI
01:56 The Digital Face of Crime
02:13 Welcome to Stolen: Unveiling the Darkness
02:39 The AI Revelation and Final Thoughts
 
Hosted by Erin West and Produced by Brandon Doble and Smarticle Media. 
 
#stolenapodcast #erinwest #smarticle #smarticlemedia #purpleglasses #stolenpodcast #stolen #operationshamrock