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The Mysterious Rise of China’s Desert AI Hubs
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-08-01 08:00
Here in this remote northwestern corner of China, is a town at the center of the country's AI ambitions. We are going to go there to see how the construction going and basically get a better understanding of how these data centers fit in with the overall strategy, for China to build its AI capabilities The Xinjiang region is sensitive. China has been accused of human rights abuses against its ethnic Uyghur population.Foreign journalists who go here are monitored. It seems to be a white car following us. I'm ...
The Shadowy Cambodia-Based Service That Profits From Scams
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-08-01 06:00
Overview of Huione Group's Operations - Huione Group is identified as a key gateway to global crime, facilitating scam compounds where trafficked people are forced to scam others [1][2] - The US Treasury Department classifies Huione as engaged in money laundering, describing it as the "Amazon for criminals" [3] - Huione operates through various arms, including Huione Pay (payment services) and Huione Guarantee (online marketplace for illicit items) [5][9] Illicit Activities and Modus Operandi - Huione Pay is alleged to be involved in money laundering through a cell called Huione International Pay, facilitating scams like fake romance schemes [7][8] - Huione Guarantee hosts an online marketplace on Telegram where buyers and sellers can purchase illegal items needed for online scams, including stolen data and money laundering services [9] - The platform facilitates efficient scam operations, offering everything needed to target and extract money from victims worldwide [10] Scale and Impact - Huione Guarantee's transaction volume ($28 billion) dwarfs that of previous darknet markets like Silk Road and AlphaBay (totaling $11 billion) [11] - Elliptic's research indicates that Huione Group entities received over $91 billion in crypto assets in the last five years [28] - The cybercrime industry in Southeast Asia, often underwritten by Chinese mafia members, is a multibillion-dollar industry, with Cambodia being a major driver [21] Regulatory and Investigative Actions - The US Treasury Department has blacklisted Huione from US markets for engaging in money laundering [30] - Telegram has taken action to shut down most of the channels used by Huione Guarantee [29] - Huione Crypto appears to have rebranded itself as Kex, but transaction volumes remain high [32] Connections and Complications - Huione has directors who also work for other powerful conglomerates and banks in Cambodia, including Hun To, a cousin of Cambodia's Prime Minister [27] - Huione has developed its own stablecoin (USDH) to evade attempts to freeze wallets [31] - Proving Huione facilitates illegal activity is challenging due to its lack of transparency and complex financial structure [12][13]
Tom Brady's Next Act Is a Mystery
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-29 19:29
What is this place. We're just here. You know, we This is where our office is. This is your office. Oh, your your joint office.It's his office, but I use it sometimes. Just like it's a little barren. So, buddy, don't worry.How's it going. Do you own a colored shirt. I do own a colored shirt.All right, guys. Thanks so much. Hi, Emily.Nice to see you, too. Thanks for having us. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.You guys want to tell them what happened when Joe Keem paid me one-on-one today. Joe Keem know and ...
How Trump Took on the World's Richest College
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-25 08:01
Divisions in American politics are often played out on college campuses. Free, >> but actions by the Trump administration against some of America's top universities are unprecedented. >> I think Harvard's a disgrace.>> Trump likes big shiny objects that have lots of prestige and lots of name recognition. So, it's not surprising that he's going after Harvard. As the oldest university in America, the Harvard Corporation predates the founding of the United States.It's sort of considered the pinnacle of of ever ...
Where Will Private Markets Will Lead the Economy?
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-24 18:34
Concerns Regarding Private Credit - The financial system is potentially creating a new shadow banking system as activities move away from traditional banking [1] - The economy and economic growth are exquisitely sensitive, raising questions about the performance of these investments, especially at this scale [1] - Increased size and consolidation in private credit raise concerns about underlying risks [2] - Banks' lending to private credit firms creates interconnectedness [2] - A major accident in private credit has not yet been observed [2]
Meet the Vigilante Taking Down UK Visa Scammers
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-24 16:00
Why would you pay £10,000 to a stranger. You don't know this person. You've never met this person.You just pay. You don't go in the car park, give someone cash, you don't take a picture, don't record anything. They go.This thing has to stop. My name is Mr. . Brown.I'm from Zimbabwe. I've been in UK since half of my life actually since 2005. Right.So, this is my Facebook page. see us scammers and fraudsters. People knew that people in Africa and other countries they are desperate to come here.I was reading a ...
How Private Markets Have Grown Into a Multitrillion-Dollar Force
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-23 18:01
Private Credit Market Growth - Private markets have expanded significantly, reaching a $13 trillion valuation [1] - The private credit industry tripled in value from $517 billion in 2015 to over $1.7 trillion in 2025 [1] - The industry is expected to increase by 50% in the next 4 years [1] Risks and Concerns - Regulators and investors are concerned about the risks associated with private credit's rapid growth [1] - Systemic risks are a concern due to the size of the private credit market [2] - Rising interest rates pose a significant risk, potentially straining borrowers' balance sheets [2] - Default rates are expected to rise, regardless of a recession [2] - Private credit loans are hard to value, and defaults could occur rapidly if the economy weakens [2]
UK Visa Scams Squeeze Millions From Would-Be Care Workers
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-23 16:01
For over a year, I've been investigating cases of scammers who have prayed on vulnerable people trying to come to the UK as migrant care workers. The origins of this all started in CO uh during the pandemic. The government realized that it needed to do something to allow more people to come into the country to fill those vacancies that existed.This is an example of a certificate of sponsorship. This is the document that a migrant worker needs to be given by an employer in the UK and it has a code on it and ...
Meet the Vigilante Taking Down the UK's Work Visa Scammers
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-23 13:00
Immigration System Exploitation - Scammers are exploiting a flawed UK immigration system, targeting vulnerable people seeking work in the care sector [1] - Victims are often abandoned by authorities after losing significant sums of money, sometimes selling their houses [1] - The UK government rushed the process of allowing care businesses to recruit staff from overseas, leading to exploitation [1] - People were paying £5,000 to £20,000 to get a certificate of sponsorship (COS) that proved they had a job in the UK, but employers often disappeared [1] - The introduction of the social care visa led to a huge increase in migration and a deeply damaging increase in abuse and exploitation [5] Scam Tactics and Impact - Scammers pressure migrant workers to pay quickly, then delay the process, blaming the home office or others [3] - Victims are losing money and experiencing mental health issues, impacting their sense of self and future [4] - Scams are tearing communities apart, especially when agents are involved [3] - Victims in Zimbabwe cannot report to the police in the UK, leaving them with limited recourse [4] Financial Losses and Recovery Efforts - One woman in South Africa was scammed of £6,500 [1] - One person lost $3,500 US [2] - One victim paid £58,000 [1] - One agent scammed over £50,000 from people [2] - One person owes $5,660 [4] - Mr Brown recovered over £100,000 for victims [4] Government and Law Enforcement Response - The UK government is ending overseas recruitment of care workers and closing the COS route [5] - Action Fraud received more than 300 cases of COS fraud last year, but there have been no convictions [5] - Victims blame the British government for leaving the system open to exploitation and the UK police for failing to help [5]
Could the US Be Headed for a Bad Credit Cycle?
Bloomberg Originals· 2025-07-22 16:52
Market Trends & Insights - Carlyle Group CEO Harvey Schwartz discusses the potential for a bad credit cycle in the US [1] - Bloomberg Originals offers data-led shows investigating the intersection of business and culture, covering topics like climate change, technology, finance, and sports [1] Content & Platform - Bloomberg provides unlimited access to Bloombergcom for $199/month for the first 3 months [1] - Bloomberg Originals provides exclusive interviews, data-driven analysis, and the latest in tech innovation [1] - Bloomberg News offers global news and insights [1]