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The Key Man

The Key Man

How the Global Elite Was Duped by a Capitalist Fairy Tale

Summary

AS FEATURED IN BBC TWO'S BILLION DOLLAR DOWNFALL: THE DEALMAKER DOCUMENTARY

Two Wall Street reporters investigate the man entrusted with millions to make profits and end poverty but now stands accused of masterminding one of the biggest, most brazen frauds in history.

'Gripping' Guardian

***

Arif Naqvi was a man with an immeasurable dream: to end world suffering, poverty and disease. His vision? Capitalism used for good, progress and profit.

He persuaded politicians he could help stabilize the Middle East after 9/11 by providing jobs. He got Bill Gates to help him start a billion-dollar fund to improve health care in poor countries. He won the support of Obama's administration and was even appointed to boards by the UN and Interpol.

The only problem? In 2019 Arif Naqvi was arrested on charges of money laundering and misappropriating hundreds of millions of dollars. He now faces up to 291 years in jail. This is the true, jaw-dropping investigation into the smoke and mirrors world of The Key Man.

***

'Impeccably researched and sumptuous in its detail . . . It's a page-turner'
The Economist

'This book tells the story brilliantly. . . Well-paced and cleverly organised. It also draws some devastating conclusions' The Sunday Times

'A pacy and deeply-reported tale' Financial Times

LONGLISTED FOR THE FT MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021
AN ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Reviews

  • A scorching epilogue... This is tough stuff and this is a tough book that should contribute to much greater scepticism about the bloated financial system
    The Sunday Times

About the authors

Simon Clark

Simon Clark is a journalist and writer who previously worked at the Wall Street Journal. His investigative reporting has led him to the poppy fields of Afghanistan, the copper mines of Congo and to many banks in the City of London. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2016. He lives in Lewes, England.
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Will Louch

Will Louch is a reporter covering finance for Bloomberg News in London. He was previously a Wall Street Journal reporter covering private equity in London and New York.
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