Films | London’s crawling

Why is it so easy to hide dirty money in Britain?

The rise and fall of Londongrad

The 58m (192ft) £38m super-yacht 'Phi' remains seized at 'Dollar Bay' in London Docklands, impounded by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) because of sanctions against Putin associates during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on 30th March 2022, in London, England. The Phi has its own swimming pool and infinite wine cellar, according to its Dutch builders. Its ownership is uncertain but it is believed to be owned by a Russian businessman with links to Putin. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)

Britain is home to billionaires from all over the world. But the country’s reputation for attracting Russian oligarchs in particular has earned its capital a nickname: Londongrad. For many, part of the city’s allure is the relative ease with which money can be laundered. This film explores how and why London became a laundromat for foreign dirty money—and whether Britain’s new sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will trigger the fall of Londongrad.

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