Happy Friday! It’s March 7, and we’re tracking top stories to take you into the weekend: Inside a merciless international investment scam, MS-13 boss ‘Old Saint’ ran sinister U.S. murder and drug network, drug kingpin Daniel Kinahan was paid millions under the table, Olympic snowboarder accused of running murderous drug trafficking network now on FBI's most wanted list, and much more…

💥 FEATURED STORY

Scam Empire: Inside A Merciless International Investment Scam.  An unprecedented leak exposes the inner workings of a global investment-scam industry, where ruthless call center agents make millions while destroying lives around the world. OCCRP

🎧 Uncovering Pig Butchering with Erin West DESIGNATED

🎯 TOP STORIES

MS-13 boss ‘Old Saint’ ran sinister U.S. murder, drug network from a South American jail NYP 

Drug kingpin Daniel Kinahan was paid millions ‘under the table’ to be boxing promoter’s exclusive agent ICIJ

Olympic snowboarder accused of running murderous drug trafficking network now on FBI's most wanted list NBC

Treasury Secretary Warns U.S. to Bankrupt Iran in 'Updated Sanctions' Policy Newsweek 

🎧 Sanctions and Economic Security Matters with Juan Zarate COERCIVE CAPITAL

Why Ukraine’s Allies Are Divided Over Using $300B in Russian Assets WSJ

How the Biggest Crypto Heist in History Went Down NYT 

🎧 Special Agent on the Silk Road with Jared Der-Yeghiayan DESIGNATED 

Russian crypto exchange Garantex seized by law enforcement operation TC 

U.S. Sanctions Top Houthi Leaders Over Arms Smuggling, Russian Ties OCCRP

U.S. charges Chinese nationals in cyberattacks on Treasury, dissidents and more Record

🎧 Chinese Economic Espionage: The Insider Threat with Scott Baucum DESIGNATED 

The EPA Demands an Accounting of the $20B Climate Fund Free Press

UK lifts sanctions against 24 Syrian entities including central bank Al Arabiya

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🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA

Panama Port Deal Plants U.S. Flag in China-Dominated Sector WSJ 

🎧 Corporate America’s China Challenge COERCIVE CAPITAL

Russia ships diesel to Syria on tanker under U.S. sanctions Reuters 

U.S. Won’t Hesitate on Russia and Iran Sanctions, Bessent Says Bloomberg

Sanctions-linked payment issues halted Russian oil supply via Druzhba to Czech Republic Reuters 

Goldman, JPMorgan Among Banks Offering More Russia-Linked Trades Bloomberg

💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME

Ukraine’s Reputation For Corruption Is Legion. Has It Gotten Better? RFE

Trump claims 'shocking levels' of fraud in Social Security. Here's what we know. USAT 

Who Paid for Trump’s Transition to Power? The Donors Are Still Unknown. NYT 

Pertamina’s corruption probe in Indonesia fuels anger over ‘oil and gas mafia’ SCMP 

Seven charged in $20M money laundering and fraud scheme on Long Island Fox

🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER

State Dept. to use AI to revoke visas of foreign students who appear "pro-Hamas" Axios 

🎧 Identity is Everything with Amit Sharma COERCIVE CAPITAL

Trump creates a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve one day ahead of White House crypto summit CNN 

New GOP Bill Aims to End ‘Debanking’ of Crypto Companies and Conservatives WSJ 

CISA, FBI warn of BianLian mail scam targeting executives with $500k ransom note Record

1 Million Third-Party Android Devices Have a Secret Backdoor for Scammers Wired

🚚 TRAFFICKING

Reputed Mexican cartel figure pleads not guilty in Chicago, part of unprecedented prisoner transfer Chicago Tribune 

🎧 Networks that Fuel the Fentanyl Crisis with Ray Donovan COERCIVE CAPITAL

Mayors Tell Congress Pro-Immigrant Policies Reduced Crime WSJ 

Judge rejects NYC’s request to order immediate return of $80M from FEMA AP

Twin Cities man pleads guilty to role in "sprawling" Mexican drug trafficking ring CBS 

Trump’s US attorney pick announces federal task force to target terror, gangs and drugs DOJ

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

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