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Bradley C. Birkenfeld

Lucifer's Banker: The Untold Story of How I Destroyed Swiss Bank Secrecy Hardcover – November 1, 2016

by Bradley C. Birkenfeld (Author)

224 ratings

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Amazon Bestseller in White Collar Crime
Amazon Bestseller in Financial Services
Amazon Bestseller in Banks & Banking

As a private banker working for the largest bank in the world, UBS, Bradley Birkenfeld was an expert in Switzerland's shell-game of offshore companies and secret numbered accounts. He wined and dined ultrawealthy clients whose millions of dollars were hidden away from business partners, spouses, and tax authorities. As his client list grew, Birkenfeld lived a life of money, fast cars, and beautiful women, but when he discovered that UBS was planning to betray him, he blew the whistle to the US Government.

The Department of Justice scorned Birkenfeld's unprecedented whistle-blowing and attempted to silence him with a conspiracy charge. Yet Birkenfeld would not be intimidated. He took his secrets to the US Senate, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Internal Revenue Service, where he prevailed.

His bombshell revelations helped the US Treasury recover over $15 billion (and counting) in back taxes, fines, and penalties from American tax cheats. But Birkenfeld was shocked to discover that at the same time he was cooperating with the US Government, the Department of Justice was still doggedly pursuing him. He was arrested and served thirty months in federal prison. When he emerged, the Internal Revenue Service gave him a whistle-blower award for $104 million, the largest such reward in history.

A page-turning real-life thriller, Lucifer's Banker is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the secret Swiss high-net worth banking industry and a harrowing account of our government's justice system. Readers will follow Birkenfeld and share his outrage with the incompetence and possible corruption at the Department of Justice, and they will cheer him on as he ''hammers'' one of the most well-known and powerful banks in the world.

Print length

344 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Greenleaf Book Group Press
Publication date

November 1, 2016
Dimensions

6.25 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

1626343713
ISBN-13

978-1626343719
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bradley C. Birkenfeld is a retired financial industry professional renowned as the most significant whistle-blower in history. He is dedicated to supporting whistle-blower initiatives exposing and eliminating fraud. As a result of Brad's historic actions, the risks and costs to financial institutions that support clients' tax evasion, fraud, corruption, and terrorist activities have increased dramatically.

Birkenfeld holds a BS in Economics from Norwich University in Vermont and an International MBA from the American Graduate School of Business in Switzerland.

A lifelong fan of the Boston Bruins, Brad works with the team to help disadvantaged children, along with other philanthropic endeavors.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenleaf Book Group Press (November 1, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 344 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1626343713
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1626343719
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #765,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #224 in Financial Services Industry
- #301 in Golf Biographies (Books)
- #353 in White Collar Crime True Accounts

Customer Reviews:
224 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		68%
4 star		14%
3 star		9%
2 star		4%
1 star		5%

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Top reviews from the United States

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David J. Corsi

Interesting but uneven.

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2017

Verified Purchase

Uneven read. Parts of the book were interesting in getting a basic grasp of international bank secrecy. The other parts were all about a self indulgent guy who comes across as a hybrid Bernie Madoff and Mother Theresa. In other words his reason for suddenly deciding to roll over sounds like a cheap dime store novel.
His ego and self love would make Narcissus blush.
Also would have been better if he named names of the rich and famous that he claims are tax cheats instead of teasing with generalities i.e "
friend of Hillary Clinton", etc.

32 people found this helpful

Helpful

John

Important topic and great story!

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

Bradley Birkenfeld's whistleblowing against UBS was an important event on multiple levels. In this autobiographical retelling, he explains what he exposed in the Swiss system of bank secrecy and also what his whistleblowing revealed about the United States Department of Justice. Switzerland is helping non-Swiss people evade taxes in their home countries, and depositors beware because your secrets might not stay secret forever! Regarding the USA, the reader sees how a huge corporation like UBS can influence powerful people everywhere including at the US Department of Justice. As a former international banker myself, I loved the personal tale of Bradley's early career flying around and making deals since this part of a banking career is fun and exciting. However then obviously things turned serious during and following the whistleblowing. The book is excellent and also has a more-or-less happy ending since at least there was some justice and some people got the punishment or reward that they deserved.

4 people found this helpful

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daveyd

Author Brad Birkenfeld displays his extensive education and savvy proclivities as he transports us through the long journey from

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2016

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Lucifer's Banker. Doubtful that any library will ever proffer any manuscript more entertaining and revealing about the corrupt DOJ and by extension other bloated government bureaus. The take-away message from these pages is that when one is in negotiations with government authority then deceptions and betrayals loom large in the background.
Author Brad Birkenfeld displays his extensive education and savvy proclivities as he transports us through the long journey from executive opulence to a thirty one month prison stay and then transitioning to super wealth as reward for exposing tax evaders.
As I turned the final pages of this truly important work I found myself conflicted between exposing nefarious practices of secret Swiss banks and how it all will expand and further empower the reach of US government forces. The abuse of government authority, as detailed with intense frequency by author Birkenfeld, is always in direct relationship to income from tax revenues. The notion that increased tax revenues from any source will always be of benefit to tax payers is highly misplaced. All government agencies are permeated with waste, corruption and relentless expansion. The Department of Justice is one example of how budgets are politicized with internal vanities and greed.

16 people found this helpful

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Nikki T

Great book, unbelievable at times...

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

This was a really good book to read at my leisure. The author told the story in a way that you could connect the dots and at times allowed you to feel physically present along his journey. I would recommend this book for those of us who have careers in finance. Although this book is told from the "victim's" perspective, I would really have loved to get the perspective of the DA or another adversary depicted in the book; but I guess that is completely up to the author's discretion. Overall, a total recommend!

6 people found this helpful

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JT

Intersting topic delivered poorly

Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2017

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This was an interesting book for about half of the chapters. General topic about banking corruption is worth the read. The author thinks way too much of himself and this keeps ruining what could have been a decent story. My suggestion is, if you are really interested in the topic, read the book, but read it fast. Do not dwell on each word, trying to find some deeper meaning.

15 people found this helpful

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T Schaal

The culpable whistleblower

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

While he certainly did a commendable job of disclosing the criminal activity undertaken by UBS, Mr. Birkenfeld is not your normal whistleblower who uncovers wrongdoing of others. It was him that was instrumental in this criminal activity by his own admission (as he says banks outside of CH wanted to stop the activity, Mr Birkenfeld was keen to take those clients and make his 18% of ill gotten gains which were never recouped). Thus, while I certainly believe that some reward was warranted, $104 million was excessive (perhaps something closer to 7.8 million (ie, 10%) and I do believe jail time was warranted based on his illegal activity. He was afterall, a director at UBS which brings responsibility. Should other culpable actors also seen jail time? Of course. His arrogance was off putting. However, well done for having the courage to come forward.

15 people found this helpful

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G.Silva

Great Subject - No heroe here

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

I am giving 5 starts for the subject the book covers.
It is important that the whole world knows how this corporate criminals together with millionaires are ripping off the citizens of their respective countries by not paying their taxes. Also is noted the criminal behaviour of banks and I believe not matter how many pieces of law are passed they will always be one step ahead.
In terms of the author I personally do not believe he is a hero. He decided to spill the beans when he was crossed by the bank and get infuriated by all they did to him. What he did was taking revenge becoming a whistle blower.
I personally believe he deserved his term in jail even when he opened Pandora's box. He was part of the criminal enterprise "willingly" and again, he only decided to take on them after the bank screwed him big time.
Great reading.

6 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

C. Rowe

Good story, shame about the storyteller.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2017

Verified Purchase

Very rarely do you read an autobiographical book and wish it was written from the perspective of a 3rd party. This is that rarity.
For anyone with a mild/passing interest in private banking, Switzerland, UBS or just banking in general, this story needs to be told. Bradley Birkenfeld DOES have a place in history for his role in essentially lifting the lid on Swiss private banking practices with regards undeclared wealth and what followed ( FATCA, Sanctioning etc). However he is seriously, seriously annoying. The rights and wrongs of what went on at UBS are not for discussion in this review, and the story itself is fascinating. The problem is Birkenfeld himself; at various intervals he paints himself as James Dean (prowess with women- most of the book) James Bond ( building his case against UBS - mid part of the book) and Robin Hood ( all of the book) and it seriously grates. Most laughable is his self-portrayal as a kind of Andy Dufresne figure from shawshank redemption, during his prison spell, where he reviews cell mates cases and looks for loopholes. He is clearly an aggressive buyer of his own stock and frankly comes across as a significant pain in the @ss. This affects the balance of the book and story.

21 people found this helpful

H. L. Mason

HIGHLY READABLE

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book obviously has no literary pretensions, and no doubt should be taken with a pinch of salt. The author can't help over promoting himself throughout the book, but whatever its excesses it certainly has an illuminating story to tell. It is very breezy, and full of self justification by the author for being what the underworld would describe as a rat. Equally amazing is the US Department of Justice wholly negative reaction to him, which, in a way, is also understandable when faced with such a bumptious, self righteous character, determined to shop all of his erstwhile clients to the IRS.
Love him or hate him, this is a riveting account which never lets up till the end.

3 people found this helpful

The_Reviewer_66

I like the no-nonsense

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2017

Verified Purchase

I haven't finished yet but the details of the author's privileged lifestyle whilst helping rich people avoid tax and invest their money is unexpectedly detailed and frank for a whistle-blower. It gives an intimate inside view of Switzerland's authorized tax evasion / avoidance practices and the treacherous nature of those involved at the top. I am expecting a lot more revelations in the second half. I like the no-nonsense, but descriptive writing style.

3 people found this helpful

Nik

Lucifer's banker is a brilliantly written, nail biting and gripping story that unveils ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

'Wolf of Wall Street' meets 'Goliath'... Lucifer's banker is a brilliantly written, nail biting and gripping story that unveils not only the dynamics of Swiss banking secrecy but the greed and political shenanigans that plague our world. After reading Brad's account, it is not only clear to me that he deserved every penny of the whistle blowing award but that we need so many more Brad's in this world with the courage and determination to take on filth and corruption across the business/money obsessed world. Brad's writing is candid and refreshing without any holier than thou impressions. He shows his human side and doesn't try and come across as anything but a normal human being sucked in by his own desires of the senses.

Well done Brad. Proud of you. Look forward to an award winning TV show on Amazon prime or Netflix.

One person found this helpful

Mrs S

Fabulous read, fast paced and inspirational.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2019

Verified Purchase

Loved the book, detailed, fast paced and inspirational. I take my hat off to Bradley for having the courage of his convictions and taking on Goliath in the form of the DOJ and IRS and getting his payback. Enjoy every penny - you deserve it.

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