Ep. 1: Demystifying the Asset Recovery Sector: Separating Fact from Fiction

In this inaugural episode of "Seize & Desist" host Aidan Larkin (Co-Founder & CEO of Asset Reality) presents a compelling perspective on the challenges and significance of asset recovery. 

This field might fly under the radar of mainstream discussions, yet it has an enormous impact on societal funding for essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. With less than 1% of the estimated trillions in illicit financial flows being recovered around the world, there is a pressing need to examine why such a crucial sector is failing and what can be done to enhance its effectiveness.

Asset Recovery is not just about arresting criminals and publishing sensational headlines, it is the intricate process of returning stolen wealth to victims and the public purse. Aidan Larkin skillfully deconstructs the complexities of the industry, stressing the alarming fact that crime does pay — and pays well for criminals, due to the vast amounts of unrecovered assets. 

The episode delves into potential reasons behind the inefficient recovery rates, from a lack of understanding and the fear of appearing ignorant to an overemphasis on the initial seizure rather than the subsequent economic restitution.

Timestamps

01:00 | The global asset recovery sector is failing

03:00 | Less than 1% of global illicit financial flows are recovered

05:00 | Asset recovery affects victims and communities

09:00 |  Asset recovery in the context of digital and crypto assets

11:00 | Aidan Larkin’s background and unique perspective on asset recovery

13:00 | FATF's new focus on asset recovery

About The Host/Guest:

Aidan Larkin is a prominent figure in the global asset recovery sector, boasting over 16 years of experience in the field. 

With a professional background as a criminal tax investigator, he has a diverse history of working on the investigative side and managing seized assets. Aidan is the co-founder and CEO of Asset Reality, bringing a unique perspective to the industry given his personal experiences in Northern Ireland during the troubles and his involvement with community initiatives financed by proceeds of crime funding. 

His international work with various government agencies equips him to offer an in-depth understanding of different jurisdictional approaches to asset recovery.

Resources Mentioned:

• FATF and INTERPOL intensify global asset recovery
• Estimating illicit financial flows resulting from drug trafficking and other transnational organized crimes  (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - UNODC Research Report) 
• Between 2 and 5% of global GDP is laundered each year
• Fraud is the most commonly experienced crime in the UK (National Crime Agency - NCA)
• Malaysia says it recovered $5m of stolen 1MDB assets over last 13 months (AL JAZEERA)
• Meet Jho Low, the fugitive 1MDB financier known as ‘The Asian Great Gatsby’ (Fortune.com)