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Everybody Loves Our Dollars - How Money Laundering Won
From the bestselling author of Butler to the World, Drugs for Gucci reveals how organised criminals move vast amounts of dirty money around the globe, how they escape the eyes of law enforcement and how they turn their ill-gotten income into vast amounts of legitimately recognised wealth.
Without the existence of money laundering, few crimes of acquisition would be worth the effort required to commit them. But despite decades of effort expended on stamping it out, money laundering is more ubiquitous than ever, with organised criminals coming up with ever more innovative and efficient ways to clean their cash. With forensic precision, Oliver Bullough pulls back the curtain on this shadow financial system and joins together the dots of a sophisticated international operation that connects illegal logging in Papua New Guinea, real estate purchases in Vancouver, terrorism in the Middle East and capital flight from China.
Drawing on complex court records and first-hand accounts from convicted money launderers, prosecutors and serious fraud officers, Bullough reveals that there may, in fact, be a way to stop crime from paying - if only we are prepared to enter the tunnel at the heart of the global economy and see where it leads . . .
Without the existence of money laundering, few crimes of acquisition would be worth the effort required to commit them. But despite decades of effort expended on stamping it out, money laundering is more ubiquitous than ever, with organised criminals coming up with ever more innovative and efficient ways to clean their cash. With forensic precision, Oliver Bullough pulls back the curtain on this shadow financial system and joins together the dots of a sophisticated international operation that connects illegal logging in Papua New Guinea, real estate purchases in Vancouver, terrorism in the Middle East and capital flight from China.
Drawing on complex court records and first-hand accounts from convicted money launderers, prosecutors and serious fraud officers, Bullough reveals that there may, in fact, be a way to stop crime from paying - if only we are prepared to enter the tunnel at the heart of the global economy and see where it leads . . .
311 pages, Hardcover
Published January 29, 2025
61 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Bullough
10 books382 followersI moved to Russia in 1999, after growing up in mid-Wales and studying at Oxford University. I had no particular plan, beyond a desire to learn Russian, but got a job at a local magazine and realised I liked finding things out and writing about them.
The next year I moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, then joined Reuters news agency, which sent me to Moscow. The first major story I reported on was the Moscow theatre siege of 2002, when a group of Chechens seized a theatre in the capital.
It both horrified and fascinated me, and I resolved to find out as much as I could about Chechnya and the North Caucasus, to try to understand the roots of the conflict that had burst so unexpectedly into my life. I travelled extensively in the mountains that form Russia’s southern border, falling in love with the scenery, the food and above all the warm and welcoming people.
When I left Russia in 2006, I was exhausted by it, however. I had seen too much misery and never wanted to write about Chechnya again. But I had promised to give a talk to a society in London. After the talk, I was asked if I would ever write a book about what I had seen. I wrote down a few thoughts, took them to a friend who knew about books, and she introduced me to a publisher.
I travelled in a dozen countries to meet all the people I needed for the stories I wanted to tell, and wrote them down in Let Our Fame Be Great. Penguin published it in the UK in 2010. It won the Oxfam Emerging Writer Prize and was short-listed for the Orwell Prize, with prize judge James Naughtie calling it “an extraordinary book... a wonderful part-travelogue, part-history”. Basic Books published it in the United States, where the Overseas Press Club awarded it the Cornelius Ryan Award for “best nonfiction book on international affairs”.
After it came out, though, a number of Russian friends objected that I had made the Russians into the villains. I don’t think I did, but their complaints chewed away at me a little. Perhaps some readers had been left feeling all Russians were complicit in the crimes of their leaders. The Russians after all suffered as much as anyone at the hands of the government in Moscow.
That provoked me into writing my second book, The Last Man in Russia, which describes the struggle of a Russian to live in freedom and the efforts of Soviet officials to stop him. The life story of Father Dmitry, the Orthodox priest I chose as my central figure, seems to me to mirror the life of his whole nation, which is beset by depression and alcoholism.
Travelling to meet the people I wanted to talk to and to see the places I wanted to describe took me to the far north of Russia, to rotting gulag towns; to the west of Russia, to half-abandoned villages; and to the Ural Mountains, where the communists locked up their doughtiest opponents; and to Moscow itself, that great fat spider in the centre of its web.
I would like to write more books one day but, at the moment, I’m concentrating on my day job as Caucasus Editor for the Institute of War and Peace Reporting. I also write freelance articles and worry about the Welsh rugby team.
http://www.oliverbullough.com/biograp...
The next year I moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, then joined Reuters news agency, which sent me to Moscow. The first major story I reported on was the Moscow theatre siege of 2002, when a group of Chechens seized a theatre in the capital.
It both horrified and fascinated me, and I resolved to find out as much as I could about Chechnya and the North Caucasus, to try to understand the roots of the conflict that had burst so unexpectedly into my life. I travelled extensively in the mountains that form Russia’s southern border, falling in love with the scenery, the food and above all the warm and welcoming people.
When I left Russia in 2006, I was exhausted by it, however. I had seen too much misery and never wanted to write about Chechnya again. But I had promised to give a talk to a society in London. After the talk, I was asked if I would ever write a book about what I had seen. I wrote down a few thoughts, took them to a friend who knew about books, and she introduced me to a publisher.
I travelled in a dozen countries to meet all the people I needed for the stories I wanted to tell, and wrote them down in Let Our Fame Be Great. Penguin published it in the UK in 2010. It won the Oxfam Emerging Writer Prize and was short-listed for the Orwell Prize, with prize judge James Naughtie calling it “an extraordinary book... a wonderful part-travelogue, part-history”. Basic Books published it in the United States, where the Overseas Press Club awarded it the Cornelius Ryan Award for “best nonfiction book on international affairs”.
After it came out, though, a number of Russian friends objected that I had made the Russians into the villains. I don’t think I did, but their complaints chewed away at me a little. Perhaps some readers had been left feeling all Russians were complicit in the crimes of their leaders. The Russians after all suffered as much as anyone at the hands of the government in Moscow.
That provoked me into writing my second book, The Last Man in Russia, which describes the struggle of a Russian to live in freedom and the efforts of Soviet officials to stop him. The life story of Father Dmitry, the Orthodox priest I chose as my central figure, seems to me to mirror the life of his whole nation, which is beset by depression and alcoholism.
Travelling to meet the people I wanted to talk to and to see the places I wanted to describe took me to the far north of Russia, to rotting gulag towns; to the west of Russia, to half-abandoned villages; and to the Ural Mountains, where the communists locked up their doughtiest opponents; and to Moscow itself, that great fat spider in the centre of its web.
I would like to write more books one day but, at the moment, I’m concentrating on my day job as Caucasus Editor for the Institute of War and Peace Reporting. I also write freelance articles and worry about the Welsh rugby team.
http://www.oliverbullough.com/biograp...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 15, 2026
A mind boggling exploration of the world of Money Laundering. I knew it was a large part of the world economy, but didn't know just how insanely prevalent it is before reading this. You shake your head in amazement at some of the facts revealed.
For instance, I've often wondered who buys all those Swiss Watches priced at $50,000 or more. Well, Bullough reveals that 80% of the Swiss Watch trade is related to money laundering. You'd worry about getting through airport security with $50k in your hand luggage. But nobody would pay any mind to a watch on your wrist.
Then there is the fact that of all the paper money dollars in circulation, around 80% are in the form of 100 dollar bills. Ordinary people never use these, but they are invaluable for criminals and tax evaders.
You sometimes find yourself grinning at the ingenuity of the criminals until you remember that these techniques facilitate some of the worst crimes in the world.
As well as explaining the problem in all its gruesome reality, Bullough gives some practical suggestions for dealing with it.
For instance, I've often wondered who buys all those Swiss Watches priced at $50,000 or more. Well, Bullough reveals that 80% of the Swiss Watch trade is related to money laundering. You'd worry about getting through airport security with $50k in your hand luggage. But nobody would pay any mind to a watch on your wrist.
Then there is the fact that of all the paper money dollars in circulation, around 80% are in the form of 100 dollar bills. Ordinary people never use these, but they are invaluable for criminals and tax evaders.
You sometimes find yourself grinning at the ingenuity of the criminals until you remember that these techniques facilitate some of the worst crimes in the world.
As well as explaining the problem in all its gruesome reality, Bullough gives some practical suggestions for dealing with it.
March 16, 2026
This should be at the top of everyone’s non-fiction reading list. It’s eye-opening and deeply informative about how our financial systems have enabled money laundering to worsen, while also offering practical solutions that governments should seriously consider.
February 26, 2026
Brillianly written. It's easy to immerse yourself in the story, and learn about how ineffective our governments ( or how complicit) are in money laundering.
March 12, 2026
Stop the Presses
If only we stopped printing $100 bills, the world of money laundering would be hard hit, according to Oliver Bullough's latest firecracker financial scandal expose. Once again, Bullough lifts the curtain on financial crime, this time the wild world of money laundering, in all its guises. It starts slow, with the origin story about how it was first noticed by an obscure Texas politician and has blown up to a trillion $ + racket.
Once he gets going, Bullough rolls out his impressive analysis, guided by leading experts in banking, compliance and law enforcement. His charming style is the silk glove for his mailed fist. You will be informed and entertained.
If only we stopped printing $100 bills, the world of money laundering would be hard hit, according to Oliver Bullough's latest firecracker financial scandal expose. Once again, Bullough lifts the curtain on financial crime, this time the wild world of money laundering, in all its guises. It starts slow, with the origin story about how it was first noticed by an obscure Texas politician and has blown up to a trillion $ + racket.
Once he gets going, Bullough rolls out his impressive analysis, guided by leading experts in banking, compliance and law enforcement. His charming style is the silk glove for his mailed fist. You will be informed and entertained.
March 24, 2026
A balanced perspective on the current state of money laundering that takes a surprisingly pragmatic and sympathetic view of the role of banks. Essentially, it deconstructs the broken incentive structure that leads to millions of SARs being issued and rarely acted on.
The detail on how money laundering thrives outside the financial system (especially trade-based money laundering, and the Bicester Village example) is genuinely fascinating. It touches on crypto too, although not to the extent of some more crypto-focused books.
3 stars because it remains relatively technical and of niche interest (sadly). But worth a read if you are interested in the area.
The detail on how money laundering thrives outside the financial system (especially trade-based money laundering, and the Bicester Village example) is genuinely fascinating. It touches on crypto too, although not to the extent of some more crypto-focused books.
3 stars because it remains relatively technical and of niche interest (sadly). But worth a read if you are interested in the area.
February 27, 2026
If you have ever wondered why money launderers are able to get away with it and how governments can't seem to (or won't) stop this most obvious crime - then this is the book for you.
It is also the book for you if you fancy a great read, with loads of interesting things in it (no spoiler alert - just dive in).
Instantly engaging and highly readable - this is excellent and I really enjoyed it.
It is also the book for you if you fancy a great read, with loads of interesting things in it (no spoiler alert - just dive in).
Instantly engaging and highly readable - this is excellent and I really enjoyed it.
March 7, 2026
Interesting but long-winded. In need of some serious editing.
March 20, 2026
Felt pretty stupid, but also pretty pissed off. In a good way, I guess.
March 30, 2026
A detailed look at money-laundering on an international scale. An interesting subject but a hard slog to get through it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews