We have known for several years that the many high-profile Russians – particularly those who have derived substantial financial benefit from the corrupt Putin regime – have utilized numerous tools to avoid the disclosure of their ill-gotten gains. These include complex offshore structures, family members, front men (and women) and professional enablers acting as nominees.
This is a specific multistorey car park located in a provincial town in the United Kingdom. I know it well, as I frequently park there. It is built behind one of the town's main shopping streets and has an entrance inside to the back of a major chain store. So it is not really remarkable in any way….
The perception that still endures of money laundering is of a suspicious character turning up at the counter of a bank with a suitcase (probably helpfully labelled swag) overflowing with used notes. Amazingly in some countries - and with some banks - this may still happen, but nowadays most money launderers run very sophisticated global operations.
