The Auction Block

Neon Nights Studio

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TRUE CRIME

Illegal markets where everything from stolen antiquities to human trafficking to endangered species gets bought and sold. Investigative journalists and law enforcement expose the auction houses, online platforms, and private sales that facilitate criminal commerce. Reveals how legitimate marketplaces become venues for laundering stolen goods and trafficking contraband.

5 DAYS AGO

Forbidden Pages: The Dark Trade of Rare Books and Manuscripts

In this episode, we delve into the clandestine world of rare books and manuscripts theft and trade. We'll uncover how these priceless treasures are stolen from libraries and private collections, trafficked through seemingly legitimate channels, and end up in the hands of collectors willing to turn a blind eye. Join us as we expose the players in this illicit market and the efforts to reclaim our shared cultural heritage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 min
27/12/2025

Silent Notes: The Black Market of Rare Music Instruments

In this episode, we delve into the clandestine world of stolen music instruments, where priceless Stradivarius violins and vintage guitars are trafficked. We explore how these instruments are stolen, sold, and sometimes recovered, and how legitimate music stores and auction houses can unknowingly become part of this illicit trade. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 min
19/12/2025

Shadow Games: The Illicit Trade of Rare Video Games and Consoles

In this episode, we delve into the obscure world of illicit trade in rare video games and consoles. We explore how this niche market has become a hotbed for illegal activities, from theft to forgery to smuggling. We'll interview collectors, law enforcement officials, and victims of this underground trade to expose the dark side of gaming nostalgia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 min
07/12/2025

Blood Diamonds: The Shimmer of Illicit Trade

This episode delves into the dark world of blood diamonds, exploring how these precious stones become tools for funding conflict and perpetuating human rights abuses. We'll uncover the journey of these diamonds from mines to markets, shedding light on the players involved in this illegal trade and the efforts being made to curb it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 min
01/10/2025

Dark Web: The Unseen Marketplace

Venture into the shadowy depths of the internet where the most clandestine auctions take place. This episode uncovers the illicit trade on the Dark Web, from illegal arms and drug trafficking to cybercrime tools and stolen data. We delve into how this hidden marketplace operates, the challenges law enforcement face in tackling it, and the steps being taken to disrupt these criminal networks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 min
24/09/2025

Black Market Pharmaceuticals: A Deadly Exchange

In this episode, we delve into the dark world of illegal pharmaceutical trade, where counterfeit and stolen drugs are sold to unsuspecting victims. We'll explore how these dangerous substances infiltrate legal markets, the devastating health consequences they cause, and the efforts of law enforcement to shut down these lethal exchanges. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 min
17/09/2025

Cryptocurrency: The Invisible Auction House

In this episode, we delve into the shadowy world of cryptocurrency and how it's facilitating illegal trade. We explore how Bitcoin and other digital currencies are used to launder money, trade illicit goods, and evade law enforcement. We'll hear from cybersecurity experts, law enforcement officers, and victims of these crimes to understand the scale and implications of this digital black market. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 min
10/09/2025

Legitimizing the Illegitimate

In this final episode, we'll examine how legitimate marketplaces and financial institutions are often co-opted to launder the proceeds of various illicit trades. We'll explore how stolen goods, trafficked humans, and poached wildlife are integrated into the global economy through a complex web of shell companies, offshore accounts, and complicit professionals. Listeners will learn about the investigative tactics and policy reforms required to close the loopholes that allow criminal enterprises to exploit the veneer of respectability. By understanding the systemic failures that enable these black markets to thrive, we can work towards more robust safeguards to protect vulnerable people, species, and cultural heritage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 min
03/09/2025

Endangered Species for Sale

This episode delves into the illicit trade in protected wildlife and endangered species, where rare and exotic animals are poached, smuggled, and sold to the highest bidder. We'll explore the sophisticated criminal networks that exploit legal loopholes, bribe officials, and launder profits to traffic everything from elephant ivory to tiger parts to rare orchids. Listeners will learn about the devastating impact of this trade on vulnerable species and ecosystems, as well as the cutting-edge forensic techniques and international cooperation required to disrupt these highly lucrative black markets. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 min
27/08/2025

The Sordid Trade in Human Beings

This episode shines a light on the horrific reality of human trafficking, where vulnerable individuals are bought and sold as commodities. We'll delve into the global supply chains that feed the demand for forced labor and sexual exploitation, exposing the online marketplaces, corrupt officials, and organized crime syndicates that profit from this abhorrent trade. Listeners will learn about the psychological manipulation, debt bondage, and violence used to control victims, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations in dismantling these criminal enterprises. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 min
20/08/2025

The Underbelly of the Art World

This episode delves into the shadowy world of art and antiquities theft, where priceless cultural artifacts are looted from their countries of origin and funneled through a complex network of dealers, auction houses, and private collectors. We'll examine high-profile cases like the Gardner Museum heist, uncover the tactics used by criminal syndicates to launder stolen goods, and explore the complicity of respected institutions in perpetuating this illicit trade. Listeners will gain insight into the forensic techniques and international cooperation required to combat this global problem. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 min

11 Episodes

Illegal markets where everything from stolen antiquities to human trafficking to endangered species gets bought and sold. Investigative journalists and law enforcement expose the auction houses, online platforms, and private sales that facilitate criminal commerce. Reveals how legitimate marketplaces become venues for laundering stolen goods and trafficking contraband.

Creator

Neon Nights Studio
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

11
Copyright

© Copyright Neon Nights Studio
Show Website

The Auction Block