Coups, Scams, & Counterfeit Bills | Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller MEGA Episode | Nat Geo

This video explores the illicit gold trade in Niger and the complex geopolitical situation in the Sahel region, which is plagued by terrorist groups. Mariana van Zeller's investigation into gold as a new funding source for these groups is interrupted by a military coup in Niger. The Sahel, a region encompassing Niger, has become a breeding ground for terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and ISIS. These groups aim to expand their influence and ideology, which requires significant funding. In Niger, a recent gold rush has led to the proliferation of unregulated mines, becoming a potential new revenue stream for terrorists. Van Zeller visits a gold mine in the Sahara, describing the dangerous and primitive conditions faced by miners like Issifou. These unregulated mines operate with impunity due to the government's lack of resources. The miners work in deep, unsafe shafts, using dynamite, with little to no safety equipment. The extraction of gold, estimated at over $5 billion annually from small sites in the Sahel, is a testament to the miners' resilience. The gold extracted is sold to middlemen for cash, with profits split between mine owners and mining crews. A small gram of gold, after processing, can be sold for about $60, fueling this dangerous industry. The gold is then transported to Agadez, a historic crossroads in the Sahel. Gold brokers in Agadez process significant amounts of gold daily, with one broker handling $333,000 worth in a single day. This trade raises concerns about how terrorists might be profiting and laundering their gains. The instability in the Sahel is partly attributed to the fall of Gaddafi in Libya in 2011, which led to an influx of mercenaries and weapons into the region. This created a power vacuum and lawlessness, which terrorist groups exploited for recruitment and planning. The U.S. has responded by investing heavily in humanitarian and military aid, including establishing a large military drone base, Air Base 201, near Agadez, costing over $100 million. Despite these efforts, lawlessness persists, with even the U.S. base's payroll being robbed. The investigation takes a dramatic turn with the military coup in Niger. Van Zeller and her crew find themselves trapped in Agadez as the country's borders and airspace are closed. Their security, provided by the ousted government, is gone, leaving them vulnerable. The coup complicates U.S. strategy in the region, as Niger was a key security ally. The coup also sparks anti-French sentiment, with supporters of the coup displaying Russian flags, hinting at potential Russian involvement and influence, as Russia has benefited from instability in the Sahel by securing mining contracts for its resources, including gold. The crew's attempts to leave are hampered by grounded flights and closed borders. They are unable to seek refuge at the nearby U.S. military base due to diplomatic complexities. The U.S. State Department's reluctance to label the action a coup, to avoid legal repercussions regarding aid withdrawal, further complicates the situation for American citizens seeking evacuation. The crew faces an anxious wait, with the possibility of military intervention by West African states looming. During their time in Agadez, Van Zeller manages to meet with a former member of a terror group, Moustapha, who explains how some gold is used as currency in Niger, while the rest is sent to Dubai for trading and purchasing goods. He notes that black markets thrive in instability, which only drives more young men to mines or terrorist groups. The coup is seen as part of a larger struggle for resources and power in the region, which is rich in gold, oil, uranium, and rare earth minerals. Ultimately, after days of uncertainty and with all other options exhausted, the crew arranges a private extraction. They face further challenges with a curfew and potential anti-Western sentiment on Niger's Independence Day. They are eventually evacuated by plane, but Van Zeller reflects on the privilege of leaving while the people of Niger face an uncertain future without democracy and the potential for violence. The former ambassador to the U.S. from Niger expresses deep concern for the country's future generations. The video also includes segments about cryptocurrency scams, specifically "rug pulls," and counterfeit money operations in Peru. In the crypto segment, Mariana van Zeller investigates young scammers living lavish lifestyles funded by cryptocurrency fraud. She meets with a scammer known as "Mr. X" in Dubai, who demonstrates how easily rug pulls can be set up by copying and renaming code. The segment highlights the lack of regulation, the ease with which these scams can be executed, and the significant financial losses victims suffer. It also touches on the role of influencers and celebrities in promoting crypto projects, often without full disclosure. Vigilante groups and the FBI are working to combat these scams, but the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency makes tracking and prosecution difficult. The "crypto winter" led to a market crash, making rug pulls harder to execute, but the underlying issues of fraud persist. In the Peru segment, Van Zeller investigates the counterfeiting of U.S. dollars. She meets with a prisoner involved in counterfeiting, a Secret Service agent, and various players in the black market, including a money changer, a printer, a finisher, and a "burrier" who transports fake currency. The segment reveals the sophisticated techniques used in counterfeiting, the challenges faced by law enforcement, and the motivations behind this crime. Despite efforts to combat it, the production of fake money continues, highlighting the persistent nature of illicit economies.