Imagine committing a crime and purchasing a passport of a foreign nation to circumvent justice. Or in some cases, to hide in plain sight by changing the very documents that define your identity, giving you a clean slate to travel the world and to destinations where you may have been a known threat. For some, this seems like the start of a criminal novel, but for my next guest, this is a hidden reality that is active in the Citizenship by Investment industry that has the potential to de-stabilise the EU, UK, USA & Canada.
Kenneth Rijock is a reformed career money launderer who has investigated many Caribbean countries for their connection to illicit funds and those that could pose a threat to national security by a scheme that has been termed as “cash for passports”. We discuss the major concerns and what the Global Indian community need to be aware of when considering locations. We also eye-in on some of the corrupt practices being used and question where the money raised has been spent, especially in a time of deep economic crisis.
Special thank you to our friends in the EU that posed these important questions.
DISCLAIMER: Any views or opinions represented in this podcast are personal and belong solely to the invited guest. They do not represent the people, institution or organisations that the owner may or may not be associated with in a professional or personal capacity. Any views are not intended to malign any region, country or Government.
About Kenneth Rijock
MILITARY: US Army
1st Sqdn, 4th Cavalry, 1st infantry Division - Vietnam
3d Sqdn 4th Cavalry, 25th Inf. Division - Cambodia
Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Bronze Star
MOS: Armored Cavalry and Infantry
BACKGROUND: Family emigrated to United States from Russia in 1923. Native-born US citizen.
PROFESSIONAL: Attorney, Miami, Florida 1973-1991. Financial Crime Consultant 1992-present.
WORK HISTORY:
1973-1990 :Attorney at Paui, Landy & Beiley, Miami, and Law offices of Kenneth Rijock. Banking and securities law practice.
1980-1990: Adviser to narcotics trafficking organizations in United States and Canada.
1990-1992:Served two years in Federal Prison for RICO and money laundering. Eglin Air Force Base., Florida. Civil Rights restored after sentence by Governor of State of Florida.
1992-2006: Independent Contractor: assisted US and Canadian law enforcement agencies, and US financial institutions with money laundering and financial crime investigations.
2004-2006 Financial Crime journalist at Complinet, London, UK. Due Diligence specialist at Mutual Benefits. Expert witness and consultant to motion picture industry.
2006-2011: Financial Crime Consultant at World-Check, London, UK, Lectured in over 100 countries, wrote over 5000 financial crime articles on company website, and served as expert-in-residence on money laundering. Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence.
2011-present : Wrote The Laundry Man, published by Penguin Press UK 5 July, 2012; book published in Spanish Lavado de Dinero by Ediciones B, Mexico . Foreign language versions
also available, in six other languages. Writes Kenneth Rijock’s Financial Crime Blog daily, read by compliance officers, law enforcement and regulators. AML/CFT and compliance officer training, and lecturing to regulators and law enforcement agencies.Vic Motune is the News Editor of The Voice, who has also served as the newspaper’s Community News Editor.
In these roles, he has worked on a range of investigations and stories on issues such as efforts to tackle the trafficking of African children and inequalities in the mental health system to efforts to diversify British politics and the rise of black tech entrepreneurs.
A journalist whose experience includes print, radio, and television news, he has won two Race in the Media Awards for his work and a MIND award for his reporting on mental health. Before joining The Voice, he was a producer with BBC Radio 5 Live, creating and producing the weekly magazine show Word Up!
Vic has appeared as a regular newspaper reviewer for BBC News 24 and BBC London and has also written for publications such as the Daily Mirror, New Statesman, the Big Issue and Mental Health Practice. He sits on the board of the Society of Editors.
In this capacity, he recently helped develop the Society’s diversity, inclusion, and belonging hub which provides advice, case studies and resources on the issue of diversity and inclusion in the media.
He is the co-author of the book The Voice: 40 Years of Black British Lives.
About the Global Indian Series:
My name is Rajan Nazran Chief Explorer for the Global Indian Series, the official platform for people of Indian origin (PIO) and liberal minds, because let’s face it, we are everywhere!
For over 15 years I have travelled across the globe deep diving into 60+ countries whilst exploring the kaleidoscope of our remarkable 50 shades of brown community.
Voyaging to the edges of the Amazon, facing Ebola in West Africa, being held hostage in Eastern Europe, tapping rubber in Malaysia, drinking chai with Heads of State and sharing laughter with local fishermen – I have been there, looking for the ideas that re-shape a nation.
My purpose is simple, to build a living encyclopaedia of the human experience of the community and a safe mooring ground for open discussions, whether you are an NRI, Indian Diaspora, person of Indian origin (PIO) or a fan of South Asian anthropology, join in as we bring people and communities together.
Through our range of award-winning original content (print, podcasts, events and TV) and fascinating discussions, our impactful stories and platforms have spearheaded national and international conversations that have brought people together. Our work is featured in global brands including The Indian Express through to the CNBC network.
How to get involved:
Interested in getting involved in building the world’s largest living encyclopaedia on the community? Whether you want to become a patron, buy us a chai in a new location or have your story shown, simply get in touch via our website, we would love to hear from you. www.globalindianseries.com
Social media:
You can reach Rajan via
Global Indian Series (@rajannazran) • Instagram photos and videos
(1) Rajan (Singh) Nazran | LinkedIn
Global Indian Series - YouTube
Special thank you to TAIZU for the music
Episode: 138
Presenter – Rajan Nazran
Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth
Guest: Kenneth Rijock
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https://globalindianseries.com/st-kitts-and-nevis-with-india/
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