“For more than a decade, ultrarich people from the former Soviet Union, China and the Middle East have turned to London mansions, New York high-rises, and chic properties in Vancouver, Miami and Paris to store their cash. The phenomenon has turned the real estate markets of North American and European cities into the savings accounts of wealthy foreigners — some of whom face allegations of corruption or crime back home.” Now British officials are deploying a new, and controversial, investigative tool to try to stem the tide of real estate money laundering. From WaPo: To combat dirty money, Britain asks: How did you pay for that mansion? (The US should do this for office towers, golf courses, and cheap hairpieces…)