Frontline Season 10 Episode 18 The Bank of Crooks and Criminals

In the Frontline season 10 episode 18 titled "The Bank of Crooks and Criminals," the investigative series takes a deep dive into the world of money laundering and international banking. With interviews from law enforcement officials, former bankers, and experts in financial crime, the episode explores the inner workings of a bank used by criminal organizations to launder their ill-gotten gains.

The episode begins with an overview of the global financial system and how it has become vulnerable to criminal elements seeking to hide their illicit activities. The focus then shifts to the Bank of New York (BONY), an established financial institution that became entangled in a massive money laundering scheme involving billions of dollars.

Through interviews with former BONY employees, the episode paints a picture of a bank that turned a blind eye to suspicious activity and chose profits over ethical practices. The bank's involvement in the money laundering scheme ultimately led to a $38 million settlement with the U.S. government and a loss of reputation that would take years to repair.

The episode then explores the various methods used by criminals to launder their money, including shell companies, offshore accounts, and complex financial transactions designed to obfuscate the origin of the funds. Experts in financial crime explain how these methods work and how they are used to launder billions of dollars every year.

One of the most startling revelations of the episode is how widespread money laundering has become, with estimates suggesting that up to $2 trillion is laundered every year globally. The show explores how criminal organizations use the financial system to move their money around the world and avoid detection, and how law enforcement officials are struggling to keep up with this new reality.

The episode concludes with a sobering look at the consequences of money laundering, both for the individuals involved and for society as a whole. With criminal organizations using their ill-gotten gains to fund terrorism, human trafficking, and other nefarious activities, the need to crack down on this criminal activity has never been more urgent.

Overall, "The Bank of Crooks and Criminals" is a fascinating and thought-provoking look at a world that few of us are aware of. By shining a light on the shadowy world of international money laundering, Frontline has created a powerful piece of investigative journalism that will leave viewers with a new understanding of the complexities of global finance.