Two Steps East with private detective P. "Konrad" Smith: Recent Episodes
Preston
Warsaw-based private detective, investigative journalist, crime-and-political-analyst (and general all-around trouble maker) P. "Konrad" Smith gets into the deep, dark underbelly of Central and Eastern Europe (and Russia) in podcasts that examine crime, the mafia(s), corruption, scams, how detective work works and more.
Yes, after a two-week hiatus (sorry, but sometimes your man in the field has to be... erm in the field) Two Steps East is back with your favorite consulting detective and the following topics: letters (and thanks for writing in); just how safe is your neighborhood (specifically Warsaw, but this generally applies to major cities in the region) anyway--and the dangers posed by low-level crime, not to mention the stark reality of poor media coverage and a dramatic (and frighteningly huge) child pornography bust in Poland; how Swiss bankers managed to overlook a red-flag Balkan narco mobster--and the KYC questions surrounding the UK's Companies House registry; another edition of "WT_ is going in the Balkans," which notes the jumble (and irony) of politics in the region, the Serbian-Kosovo (and more) question, which is currently spurred by the ongoing Kosovo license plate row; more on the Polish Sowa tape scandal that never seems to entirely go away and finally...
A whole lot more in between.
Enjoy, be safe, and check out the links below (which is a partial response to a letter).
Feel free to also check out www.cddi.pl if you need risk intelligence or detective services in the region, and there under the contact info you will find a mail if you would like to send in comments.
First the Guardian article (kudos for the great work):
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/oct/06/cartel-journalist-gangland-killings-netherlands-peter-r-de-vries
An article on Kotor from BIRN:
https://balkaninsight.com/2022/10/26/drug-crime-casts-long-shadow-over-montenegrin-coast/
Finally, the new Czech crime site, which documents "crime in your neighborhood"--quite a cool thing. Hope it lasts:
https://kriminalita.policie.cz/
By listener request: this week Two Steps East (lite) and your preferred consulting detective in CEE, P. Konrad Smith, run through the "real" scams that hit tourists in the region as well as "new-kid-on-the-block scams," which seem to nag foreigners (and not only) again and again. These include the "toss-the-baby" scam; the bracelet scam; taxis and ambulance risks; the menu flip; card skimming (and what to do about it); strange links and why people open them; social engineering/nephew/niece scams (and how they have become more dangerous); the bankomat/cash machine-strip bar scam (and the second level to this, which is really quite something); skimmer scams (and a simple way to stop them); the child-custody-strategy scam (yes, I called it that); inheritance preparation scams and more.
This episode Your Preferred Consulting Detective in CEE covers low-level gangster crime returning to the region (currency exchange hits and more); more on MEK in Albania; the death of a Polish arms smuggler in Albania (and how he ripped off the Polish government); slander (maybe) against the KLA; a tale of the KLA, flat tires and pizza; Bulgarian denials and stress over the Kherson bridge bombing; a convicted Romanian banker sues his bank; the Dodik factor in BiH; Serbia between a rock and a hard place (i.e. pressure from the EU, the US and Russia; the Balkan cocaine trade and the arrest and trial of Dark S. and the Sky App convictions; more on the Kinahan-Hutch war and Imre A. the assassin--and Lithuanian's muddled attempt to have him extradited; Johnny M., the Kinahans and boxing and the mess that it amateur boxing and the actual past connections to the Russian vory.
Happy listening and have a great day!
[Soundtracks copyright Preston Smith/Marek Tymkoff (Bone Music/The Ohm Song).
This week's Two Steps East podcast packs a lot into multiple punches, with a quick run through of Latvian, Bosnia and coming Bulgarian elections; breakthroughs and arrests in Peter de Vries murders case (with possible ties to a cocaine super cartel (featuring alleged ties to the he Moko gang, Tito and Dino, Camorra and the Kinahans); the murders behind the de Vries killing (more than a score, in fact); the arrest of money-laundering kingpin Johnny M. (featuring alleged ties to the Kinahans); the new "what the ___ is going on in the Balkans?" segment, noting spy rings in Montenegro, Serbian-EU-Russian dilemmas, as well as the Albania vs. Iran cyber-war (against the background of the war in Ukraine). And finally, in a leap back to the arrest of said money-laundering kingpin there is a bit of boxing discussion (featuring, yes, you guessed it, alleged ties to the Kinahans).
And letters to Yours Truly coming soon so don't forget to write.
Greetings and salutations! In this episode your favorite consulting detective (in Central Europe) finds himself reeling from Russia's spur of the moment partial (or is it full) mobilization; the nuclear threat and more. Plus we'll get into the rock-and-a-hard-place position of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the irony of his arguments to refuse to recognize Kosovo and the tightrope he must walk between Russia and the EU (and the US). Also in this edition we'll briefly note the arrest of yet another fugitive associated with the Kinahan crime gang, rampant money laundering and yes, the chronic suicides of Russian oligarchs.
Just a bit of a darkness for your weekend, but don't stress. There is much more to come.
Yes, it's the return of Two Steps East and your No. 1 consulting detective in Central Europe, P. Konrad Smith, and let's just say this episode starts and ends with a bang--that is with the assassination in Istanbul this week of Montenegrin Skaljari crime boss Jovan V. The killing, which took place the context of not only a long running (and bloody) war with the rival Kavac gang, but also within that of cocaine trafficking, politics (notably in Serbia) provokes a number of key questions, including: just what happens next?
For this is a mob war that has lasted more than six years, has seen some 40 hits in capitals across Europe, and which--until the murder of Jovan V. --showed no signs of abating. And the spoils are titanic, with the combined efforts of the Skaljari and Kavac mobs likely controlling at least one-third of a EUR 10 bln-plus illicit market that is increasing by the day.
[Intro and outro riff courtesy of Hoodoohat/Preston Smith/Marek Tymkoff (Bonemusic). Background music courtesy of Hoodoohat/Preston Smith/Marek Tymkoff (the Ohm Song). All rights reserved.]
In a special Two Steps East series, CEE private detective/risk intelligence expert and investigator Preston Smith examines the history of the Thieves-in-Law/Vory v Zakone crime groups and how Russian spy games, modern organized crime a North Ossetian murder gang and an NGO all became entwined in one of the largest money-laundering schemes ever--and how they came under the eye of Spanish police and Polish authorities both.
In this episode the ring of mafia players, including Niall M., Aslan G. and Tambovskaya mob leader Gennady P., Niall M. is bought to justice by Spanish, Russian and Austrian law enforcement despite the lobbying of a mysterious NGO based in Poland--an NGO whose track record is questionable and whose leaders have themselves run afoul, controversially, with the law while also pushing for the ouster of the current, equally controversial government.
(Bonemusic [intro and outro] copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff)
In a special Two Steps East series, CEE private detective/risk intelligence expert and investigator Preston Smith examines the history of the Thieves-in-Law/Vory v Zakone crime groups and how Russian spy games, modern organized crime a North Ossetian murder gang and an NGO all became entwined in one of the largest money-laundering schemes ever--and how they came under the eye of Spanish police and Polish authorities both.
In this episode we introduce the infamous Aslan G.--i.e. Big Brother--and this gang, the Family, which allegedly committed some 50-60 murders in Moscow and the North Ossettia region. But was he a vor? And was this gang simply a mafia group--or were they vigilantes or possibly an arm of the secret services? Or maybe all three? We also discuss operation Troika, run by Spanish police, alleged links between Tambovskaya mob leader Gennady P., Niall M., an attempted takeover of German ports (and Aslan G.) and more.
And this is only part two.
(Bonemusic [intro and outro] copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff)
In a special Two Steps East series, CEE private detective/risk intelligence expert and investigator Preston Smith examines the history of the Thieves-in-Law/Vory v Zakone crime groups and how Russian spy games, modern organized crime a North Ossetian murder gang and an NGO all became entwined in one of the largest money-laundering schemes ever--and how they came under the eye of Spanish police and Polish authorities both.
In this introduction episode: a brief history of the Vory, their evolution move west and the rise of more "modern" Russian crime gangs such as the Tambovskaya or more infamous Solntcevskaya Bratva.
(Bonemusic [intro and outro] copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff)
Yes, we promised we'd catch up, and here is this week's Two Steps East rundown of the region (and a wild week it was), including the following: the COVID delta variant smacks the Balkans and Ukraine and begins to make its presence felt in the CEE core countries; Belarus and Russia get still more "integrated" during Zapad-2021 military exercises--and the IMF rethinks a loan; Bulgaria sets a date for both parliamentary and presidential elections--and a cocaine smuggler is busted; the Czechs nab a mysterious Russian for Crimea war activities; Prince Charles undergoes scrutiny for ties to an alleged crooked (and failed) banker sentenced (in absentia) in Latvia; the Polish government backtracks on Polexit, gets blocked over Lex-TVN and fiddles with tax reform ; Polish CBSP bust a narcotics gang and a major prostitution rings but another gang walks; Polish anti-corruption police bust a Krakow city player over endless questionable real estate permissions; Ukraine-American politics are still sticky when it comes to Giuliani; the judge in the investigation into the killing of journalist Pavel Sheremet is allegedly murdered... and more.
Intro and outro music (Bone Music) copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff.
In this week's Two Steps East podcast, brought to you by risk consultant and CEE private detective Preston Smith, we highlight the death of "Bolo," who passed away due to pancreatic cancer in early September, as well as the final fate of the infamous Polish Pruszkow Mafia. Is this finally the end of an era that once saw local mafias, such as Pruszkow, the Mokotow "Finger Chopping" Mafia and the deadly Wolomin Mafia rule the roost. Also featured in this episode is the cascade of arrests and events following the murder of Slovak journalists Jan Kuciak in 2018--events, which have now directly or indirectly lead to charges against a host of judges, prosecutors, lawyers, politicians and now the resignation of yet a third national police chief in a country still plagued by the past. Also featured is the "parking lot" scam--which is both simple and nefariously effective.
Please note that later this week we will also feature the standard "rundown" of news, incidents and intrigue in typical Two Steps East podcasts.
(Intro riff copyright Marek Tymkoff and Preston Smith [Bone Music]. Background music and outro song [The Hoo Ha Song] copyright Preston Smith and recorded live by Elvis in Hell/Preston Smith [lead guitar and vocals], Milosz Durka [stand up bass] and Ara Soghomonian on drums.)
In this episode Poland-based risk consultant and private detective brings you answers to your letters (and thanks for those); the COVID Mu variant in the CR; an Albanian drug bust; Bulgarian politics; Belarus war games and weapons support from Russia; the weaponizing of migration and the Polish border state-of-emergency decree; the politics (or lack thereof) of reprivatization investigations (and the shocking number of ongoing investigations in Warsaw) and more...
Also, check out the latest Blade Hunt crime fiction chapter here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1834469/9124726
(Intro, background and outro music [The Bone Box Song, The Ohm song] copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff/all rights reserved.}
In this week's episode CEE risk consultant and private detective P. "Konrad" Smith discusses a new twist on the "stripper scam" and why it is so difficult to prosecute, as well as regional crime, politics and mafia news, including: the IMF's decision to give Belarus USD 1 bln; allegations that the Czech SIS has been spying on the president; the continued investigation into former Latvian Central Bank governor Ilmars R. (as well as the flipping of a witness and death of another); the Polish lex-TVN conundrum; a massive Spanish-Swedish bust of a Swedish-Polish drug cartel possibly guilty of murdering some 50 persons; the weaponization by Belarus of migrants and the impasse at the Polish border; Ukrainian gas politics and finally the indictment of Yorgen F. in the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Galizia.
(Intro and outro riff copyright by Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff).
In this special podcast Two Steps East detective P. "Konrad" Smith interviews Dutch-American AFP photojournalist (and eye witness) Jaap Arriens about the current Belarussian-Polish border crisis, which has resulted in a tense standoff between border guards with refugees caught in no-man's land in-between. No less than 32 refugees and one cat have been stranded for 11 days as result of a Belarussian strategy to weaponize refugees and funnel them into the EU, but now the various letters of the law have created a diplomatic flap for all sides and a micro case study of the real suffering of very real people.
(Intro and outro music copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff/all rights reserved).
In this episode of Two Steps East CEE private detective P. "Konrad" Smith tackles some rather vocal letters--and addresses a new wave of SMS scams, as well as bigger "recycled" food product scams that have plagued manufacturers in the region for years.
Also in this episode: Could Bulgaria be heading for its third round of early elections this year--or maybe... a fourth round as well?
This segment also addresses the EU's take on Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and the Agrofert conflict-of-interest/EU subsidy story and finally two past/present true crime stories in Poland, the first being the resurgence and possible retrial of suspects in the Carpathian Sex Affair (as well as the suicide in prison of former star boxer Dawid K.). Meanwhile, the trial of gangsters implicated in past kidnappings--and the work of Polish CBSP teams--has led to the ongoing trial of the alleged murderers of Polish Prime Minister Piotr Jaroszewicz and his wife, Alicja Solska, who were killed during a robbery in Anin in 1992. This backstory is both fascinating and heroic--and you're getting it here at Two Steps East.
(Intro and outro music copyright Preston Smith/Marek Tymkoff/all rights reserved.)
In this episode CEE private detective P. Konrad Smith discusses the continued turmoil in Belarus--including more arrests and sanctions by the US Biden government; the Bulgarian government impasse; Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis's decision to remove the head of the Czech secret service in the wake of continued Russian investigations; an ingenious Latvian international dark net "cash out" scam and the turmoil in Poland with a rarely seen "reasumpcja" vote to force the shut down or sale of the US' largest private (read non-military) investment, the television news source TVN/TVN24.
Also in this episode: an update on the Lithuanian (and somewhat bizarre) Neringa Venckiene child custody (and murder) saga--and what strategy is key should you also face divorce proceedings and a battle over custody of your child.
In this episode your dedicated CEE detective P. Konrad Smith takes on allegations surrounding Balkan money laundering and real estate and rising chaos in Belarus, including a defection, a mysterious death in Ukraine and more co-opting on the part of Russia. Also included in this podcast are musings on the Bulgarian elections; Polish political developments (and the impact of a new tax plan); the anniversary of the mysterious death of Polish Samoobrona leader Andrzej Lepper and the allegedly botched and now dropped investigation into the investigation of Polish anti- reprivatization activist Jolanta Brzeska.
It's the end of the month for Two Steps East, which means it's time for recognition and awards, including crimes and scams not yet featured on this podcast, such as a reverse-blockchain/crypting scam conducted by Estonian and Russian nationals; how the art-auction hustle works in Central Europe, and why the White House move to anonymize Hunter Biden auctions is... curious. Also featured is a Montenegrin cocaine mob hit in Ukraine; the flood of illicit drugs and arms to Poland and, finally, a few tips on how to protect your business from the narco trade. Also noted is the Brexit-Lugano convention impasse and omens of other surprises to come.
All music copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff.
In this episode, Central European private detective P. Konrad Smith discusses the realities of private surveillance, the use of drones, counter surveillance (bug scanning) and more. On this podcast he is joined by a fellow detective, former Polish police captain and surveillance/counter surveillance specialist, Tomasz M., as well as long-time compatriot, Anna B.
Intro and outro music copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff
With news cycles--including Central European news cycles--focusing on Pegasus spyware and its possible use by authoritarian governments-- licensed detective Preston Smith first discusses regional political, criminal and corruption news (including Albanian vendettas and the Croatian Jonathan Taylor whistleblower case), and then the realities of spyware and phone surveillance. This episode also includes a new feature, the "scam of the month," for those seeking knowledge on common grifts and the steps and awareness needed to avoid them. [The spyware/Pegasus isses are discussed at around minute 25 to the end].
Intro and outro music [Mrs. Bullfrog and The Ohm Song] copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff
In this episode your intrepid Central European licensed detective, investigator (and sometimes political pundit) P. Konrad Smith notes the rampant spy games in the region, which have included serial tit-for-tat expulsions and detainment of ambassadors; gas politics over Nordstream 2 (Ukraine, the region); Bulgarian elections; Poland's tiffs with the US and the EU; e-mail hacking at both a government (Poland) and private level and more. Finally, Smith and CDDI would like to express condolences to the family of Dutch investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries, who succumbed to his wounds nine days after being shot by two assailants in Amsterdam, Holland. De Vries was an outstanding example of the power of investigators willing to take risks for the good of all, and we hope that the perpetrators--the wider perpetrators--are brought to justice.
(Intro and outro music (Bone Music and Mrs. Bullfrog) copyright Preston Smitha and Marek Tymkoff)
In this podcast Central European private detective P. Konrad Smith interviews Dutch-American photo- and video-journalist Jaap Arriens, whose credits range from covering protests far and wide, ranging for Euromaidan in Ukraine to the widespread anti-abortion protests in Poland for agencies such as Nurphoto, Sipa and Agence France Press (AFP). Topics include the recent shooting of Dutch investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries, possibly by a supercartel made up of Moroccan, Irish, Italian and Bosnian gangs, to the killings of journalists in Slovakia to the recent attacks on more than 50 journalists in Tblisi--as well as the daily legal and physical realities and dangers of attempting to photograph protests and counter protests of both the left and right.
(Intro and outro music copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff)
On July 6, 2021 Dutch investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries was seriously wounded in a cowardly gangland shooting in central Amsterdam. At the time of this podcast, de Vries remains in critical condition and is reportedly fighting for his life. In this special episode, Two Steps East host and CEE private detective P. Konrad Smith highlights the continued attacks on European journalists, as well as the allleged cocaine "super cartel" made up of Irish, Bosnian and Moroccan gangs--and the Italian Camorra Mafia--that may well stand behind the recent attempt on de Vries' life.
Additionally, Corporate Due Diligence and Investigation (CDDI) would like to send thoughts and prayers to de Vries and his family, as well as express our hopes that he returns to full form and to investigative journalism with a vengeance.
With June revealing a wide and deep government e-mail hacking scandal in Poland, Warsaw-based private detective and risk consultant P. Konrad Smith discusses the damage inflicted not only in Poland, but also the realities of similar leaks, taping scandals and spy games in Belarus, Bulgaria, Ukraine and other countries of Central Europe. Joining Smith to ponder the depth and impact of the current Polish e-mail hacking leaks--as well as the possibility of Russian involvement--is is award-winning political and business correspondent/editor David McQuaid. For the there remains the questions: have e-mail and secret tapes changed the course of history in the region? And are the backstories even more interesting than the leaks themselves? Find out.
Original music (Bone Music, the Ohm Song) copyright Preston Smith and Marek Tymkoff/Hoodoohat
In this episode Central European private detective and risk intelligence consultant P. "Konrad" Smith details not only the increasingly infamous "CEO scam" or "social engineering/BEC scam" in Europe--and how even Fortune 500 companies are being hit--but also the muscle behind the scam in the form of the Russian mafia.
Thanks to elite Russian hackers, such as Cosmic Lynx, losses due to CEO scams are likely exceeding USD 2 bln per year--and companies are even demanding insurance as a form of protection. Yet Smith also highlights the role of gangsers like the Vory v Zakone--a.k.a. the Russian Thieves in Law--their history and the grift. Describing a "true crime" incident, Smith explains how Russian vory have at times simplified such scams and why they are so effective. Finally, this episode brings us our first "Vor of the Month," highlighting the shocking life and times (and killing) of none other than Nadir Salifov, alias "Guli," a thug who was just gunning to be dead.
Enjoy and keep your guard up.
Two Steps East (all rights reserved Preston Smith/Corporate Due Diligence and Investigation (CDDI) Sp. Z o.o. June 29, 2021)
Soundtrack (The Bone Box Song, Diamond Blood) copyright Preston Smith/Marek Tymkoff all rights reserved/the Hoo Ha Song/copyright Preston Smith, all rights reserved
In this episode P. "Konrad" Smith, expat, licensed detective and risk consultant in Central Europe, describes the tremendous number and variety of crime gangs the EU, their massive scale of activities and how violence is more and more often hitting "civilians" and companies.
Smith also relates the story of "Jacek" an ex-crime gang member who targeted a Central European company but who then stole from the Mob and was targeted himself.
Included are "red flags" for construction or logistics companies that may signal organized crime activity, why some activities may not show up immediately even during a forensics audit and why the perpetrators are so difficult to punish (and why your key employees are not).
Two Steps East (all rights reserved Preston Smith/Corporate Due Diligence and Investigation (CDDI) Sp. Z o.o. June 29, 2021)
Soundtrack--the Hoo Ha Song/copyright Preston Smith, all rights reserved.