In 1991 the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), was seized by regulators after auditors reported huge losses from illegal loans to corporate insiders and traders. The bank collapsed with debts of more than $16 billion (£8 billion) while 250,000 savers lost money.

At its height the bank operated in 78 countries and claimed assets of $25 billion but their connections to fraud, arms trafficking, bribery and support of terrorism branded them with the moniker Bank of Crooks and Crime International.