ACAMS Today
Podcast

How Britain Became Butler to the World’s Financial Criminals, with Oliver Bullough

February 16, 2023

In this episode of “Financial Crime Matters,” Kieran Beer talks with Oliver Bullough, award-winning reporter for The Guardian, about his latest book, Butler to the World: How Britain Became the Servant of Tycoons, Tax Dodgers, Kleptocrats and Criminals.

During their conversation, Bullough details how Britain and its territories became a favored facilitator for many of the world’s kleptocrats, having transformed a financial system that once served the country’s global empire into one adept at “investing” illicit funds and serving the whims of transnational criminals. A Russian studies specialist, Bullough expresses guarded optimism about recent U.K. legislative and regulatory developments in response to the invasion of Ukraine that may be a step toward ending Britain’s role as butler to the world’s financial criminals.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Explore topics covered
More on from ACAMS
Training Webinar
Recorded
February 26, 2026 / 12PM–2PM EST 2 ACAMS Credits
Member Perspective
Practical Solutions
December 10, 2025
News
February 23, 2026
Training Webinar
Recorded
February 27, 2026 / 12PM–1PM EST 1 ACAMS Credit
Interview
March 6, 2026
Gold-Standard Certifications
ACAMS provides certifications, online training, and continuing education that helps you stay ahead of financial crime
Learn about our solutions for individuals and organizations across AML, Sanctions, Fraud topics.