top of page
Articles



Trafigura’s Playbook: From Nyrstar to Ghana
What occurred at Nyrstar is increasingly difficult to view as a one-off cycle of events. The sequence suggests a repeatable model rather than an isolated case. Developments surrounding a gold mining project in Ghana indicate that similar mechanisms may still be in use. This matters not only for interpreting the past, but also for current and future counterparties, including groups such as Korea Zinc, now acquiring parts of Nyrstar’s business. The Cuckoo Strategy: Enter, Weak
3 days ago3 min read


Trafigura Faces Another Scandal: A Pattern Too Familiar to Ignore
A new day, a new scandal. Commodity trading giants Vitol and Trafigura are now under investigation for fraud in Bolivia. This time, the accusations involve the smuggling of poor quality gasoline that is reportedly damaging vehicles across the country. This case does not stand alone. It adds to a growing list of controversies involving Trafigura in recent years. In Belgium a criminal investigation into the transfer of assets from zinc smelter Nyrstar to Trafigura is still ongo
Apr 63 min read


Trust Erodes When the Cargo Is Rubbish: The Trafigura Nickel Affair
The global commodity markets are no stranger to controversy. But when a firm as large as Trafigura finds itself facing several major legal battles simultaneously, the industry must take note. One concerns an alleged fraud involving nickel shipments worth about $600 million; another involves a landmark bribery conviction. A third centres on the long-running dispute related to Nyrstar, in which Trafigura has faced allegations over its role in the company’s financial collapse. T
Nov 28, 20253 min read


Trafigura and shipowner sucked into $18bn Pertamina corruption probe
From Jakarta to Geneva, Trafigura’s Troubles Multiply. Fresh off a Swiss court conviction tied to operations in Angola, commodity giant...
Aug 1, 20252 min read


Trafigura Agrees to Pay $76 Million in Brazil Bribery Cases
Summary : In April 2025, Trafigura agreed to a $75.8 million settlement with Brazilian authorities, resolving civil cases stemming from...
Apr 1, 20251 min read


Trafigura’s $1.1 Billion Mongolia Fraud Was ‘Humbling,’ CEO Says
illustration Summary : Trafigura CEO addressed the firm’s $1.1 billion fraud loss in Mongolia, calling it a “humbling experience” and a...
Mar 25, 20251 min read


Trafigura and ex-COO convicted of Bribery by Swiss Court
Mike Wainwright Summary : In a landmark ruling, Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court convicted Trafigura and its former COO, Mike...
Jan 31, 20251 min read


Vitol, Glencore, Trafigura and the Petrobras scandal
Summary : This comprehensive report outlines how Vitol, Glencore, and Trafigura engaged in systematic bribery to win oil contracts from...
Jan 1, 20251 min read


Singapore-Based Trafigura Group Hit by Multiple Scandals
Summary : This article explores how Trafigura's global corruption and fraud cases have put Singapore’s clean image as a commodities...
Nov 12, 20241 min read


Trafigura pays $55mn US fine in case alleging market abuse
illustration Summary : Trafigura agreed to pay a $55 million fine to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over charges of...
Jun 17, 20241 min read


Trader Trafigura Pleads Guilty to a Decade of Oil Bribery in Brazil
illustration Summary : In March 2024, Trafigura pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to a decade-long bribery scheme in Brazil and agreed to...
Mar 28, 20241 min read


Bribery Case Snares Man Who Held Trafigura’s Secrets and Purse Strings
Summary : Mike Wainwright, former COO and one of Trafigura’s most powerful yet low-profile figures, has been charged by Swiss prosecutors...
Dec 7, 20231 min read


Trader Trafigura Targeted by US and Swiss Over Corruption
illustration Summary : Swiss prosecutors have formally charged Trafigura and former COO Mike Wainwright for bribery related to shipping...
Dec 6, 20231 min read


Trafigura accused of multimillion trading cover-up in London’s High Court
illustration Summary : In an explosive legal twist, Indian businessman Prateek Gupta—accused by Trafigura of defrauding the company in a...
Dec 5, 20231 min read


How a Brazen Plot to Rig Oil Auctions Cost Venezuela Billions
© IkerAlex10 Summary : This investigative deep dive reveals how Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA, lost billions through a...
Apr 21, 20231 min read


Trafigura: the 10-day unravelling of an alleged $500mn fraud
Nickel Summary : This gripping exposé details Trafigura’s $577 million loss in a massive alleged fraud involving Indian tycoon Prateek...
Feb 27, 20231 min read


Trafigura hands out $1.7bn in dividends on profits fuelled by Ukraine war
© Nils Mulvad - creative commons Summary : In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ensuing energy market chaos, Trafigura...
Dec 8, 20221 min read


Trafigura slams the door in the face of IBI World
illustration Summary : This article recounts how Trafigura blocked accredited journalists from IBI World and Gli Stati Generali from...
Jul 4, 20221 min read


Trafigura, Putin and those useless sanctions
illustration Summary : This exposé explores how Trafigura maintained close ties with Russia’s state oil firm Rosneft even after...
Jun 4, 20221 min read


Trafigura to give £1bn in bonuses to top traders and executives
Jeremy Weir - © creative commons Summary : In the wake of record profits driven by pandemic-induced market volatility, Trafigura...
Dec 8, 20211 min read
bottom of page
