Belarussian Businessman Dodges Luxury Goods Embargo on Russia

Belarussian Alexander Zaitsev, nicknamed President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s “money bag,” appears to have shipped luxury goods to Russia despite sanctions imposed by the EU in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a new investigation by The Buro, an OCCRP partner organization.

FC Barcelona Almost Scores Own Goal in Lewandowski Transfer Scam

When an apparent fraudster impersonated a famous football agent and asked FC Barcelona for 1 million euros, sources say the club attempted to send the money. Though the payment was eventually blocked, experts worry the incident is a sign that football remains vulnerable to corruption despite repeated calls for stronger oversight.