Money Men by Dan McCrum Summary
Overview of Money Men
A Financial Times journalist's explosive expose of Wirecard - the $30 billion tech darling that perpetrated history's most audacious corporate fraud. Bradley Hope called it "the financial investigation of the decade," revealing how fake billions, intimidation tactics, and regulatory failures enabled a criminal empire's stunning collapse.
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Key takeaways
When Europe's Tech Darling Was Built on Smoke and Mirrors
Picture a CEO in a black turtleneck, compared to Steve Jobs, leading Germany's most celebrated tech success story. Now imagine discovering that nearly two billion euros-roughly the GDP of a small nation-never existed. Wirecard wasn't just another corporate scandal; it was a masterclass in deception that fooled some of the world's most sophisticated investors and auditors. What began as a scrappy payment processor for pornography websites somehow transformed into a 24-billion-euro giant on Germany's prestigious DAX 30 index. The story of its unraveling reveals something unsettling: we're often so desperate for success stories that we ignore the warning signs screaming right in front of us. When Denis Wagner walked into his job interview at Wirecard in 2003, he encountered a workplace that felt more like a surreal fever dream than a financial services company. Women dressed for stage performances wandered the halls. Colleagues casually discussed hardcore pornography during business calls. The founder, Paul Bauer, hired Wagner without discussing qualifications, offering generous pay for a job Wagner openly admitted he knew nothing about. This wasn't your typical corporate environment-it was a glimpse into the bizarre foundations upon which a European financial empire would be built.
The Gambler's Paradise and the Art of Looking Legitimate
When Critics Disappear and Questions Get Punished
The Asian Illusion and the Art of Manufacturing Revenue
The Hunters Close In
The Whistleblower's Gamble and the House of Cards
The Final Unraveling and the Two Billion Euro Question
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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