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The Current

How a London teen died after pretending to be Russian oligarch

Aug 31, 2026 · 25 min · 11 segments

The new book “London Falling” tells the true story of Zac Brettler, a 19-year-old Londoner who falls to his death in the Thames after living a double life pretending to be the son of a wealthy Russian…

The new book “London Falling” tells the true story of Zac Brettler, a 19-year-old Londoner who falls to his death in the Thames after living a double life pretending to be the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. We speak with bestselling author Patrick Radden Keefe about mystery, money and police inaction as he searches for answers about Zac’s death.

The new book “London Falling” tells the true story of Zac Brettler, a 19-year-old Londoner who falls to his death in the Thames after living a double life pretending to be the son of a wealthy Russian…

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Speakers: Patrick Radden KeefeGuestMatt GallowayHostPaul HunterHost

Top entities: London×38 Patrick Radden Keefe×18 YouTube×12 Russia×10 Akbar Shamji×6

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasLeans leftPopularityVery Populartop 5%Audience≈4.8M followers

CBC Podcasts on YouTube0:00 – 0:28

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All your favorite CBC podcasts are now available on YouTube.

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The best in award-winning true crime investigations, hilarious comedies, vibrant pop culture conversations, and even more audio series are all available on CBC Podcasts YouTube channel.

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You'll also find exclusive video first episodes, YouTube Shorts, and behind-the-scenes content from our hosts and producers that you can't find anywhere else.

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So if YouTube is your go-to source for podcasts, just search CBC Podcasts and hit subscribe, and you'll never miss the latest update.

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LondonCityCapital of England
99%38 mentions
Patrick Radden KeefePersonAmerican writer
96%18 mentions
YouTubeWebsiteVideo sharing company
94%12 mentions
RussiaCountryCountry
91%10 mentions
Akbar ShamjiPerson
89%6 mentions
YouTube ShortsSoftware Application
86%5 mentions
River ThamesRiverRiver in England
84%6 mentions
Michael LewisPersonAmerican author
81%3 mentions
Liar's Poker: Rising through the Wreckage on Wall StreetBookBook by Michael Lewis
79%2 mentions
United KingdomCountryCountry in Europe
76%4 mentions
Canadian Broadcasting CorporationCompanyBroadcasting company
74%5 mentions
Matt GallowayPersonCanadian radio personality
71%4 mentions
The CurrentBroadcast Service
69%3 mentions
Anne FrankPersonGerman diarist
66%1 mention
Boris JohnsonPersonWriter and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
64%3 mentions
The Wolf of Wall StreetMovie2013 film
61%2 mentions
RussiansEntityEthnic group
59%1 mention
InstagramSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
56%3 mentions
Otto Heinrich FrankPersonGerman businessman
54%2 mentions
Say NothingBookBook by Patrick Radden Keefe
51%1 mention
EnglishEntitySpoken language
49%2 mentions
The New YorkerPeriodicalMagazine
46%3 mentions
Andrew SolomonPersonAmerican writer
44%2 mentions
MI6Government OrganizationGovernment agency
41%2 mentions
BritBoxCompanyTelevision broadcaster
39%1 mention
Metropolitan PoliceGovernment OrganizationPolice service
36%2 mentions
Mazda Motor CorporationCompanyAutomotive manufacturer
34%1 mention
SumatraPlaceIsland in Indonesia
31%1 mention
Charles DickensPersonWriter and journalist
29%1 mention
British EmpireAdministrative Area
26%1 mention
Tower BridgeBridgeBascule bridge in the United Kingdom
24%1 mention
Margaret ThatcherPersonStateswoman and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
21%1 mention
Soviet UnionCountryCountry
19%2 mentions
Vladimir PutinPersonPresident of Russia
16%1 mention
LamborghiniCompanyManufacturing company
14%1 mention
Sherlock HolmesEntityFictional character
11%3 mentions
WordleVideo GameWeb-based game
9%1 mention
BBCCompanyBroadcasting company
6%1 mention
iPadProduct ModelMobile phone
4%1 mention
PodcastEntity
1%1 mention

FamilySociety
ParentingSociety > Family
Identity FormationSociety > Family > Parenting > Adolescence
OligarchsCulture > Society > Wealth Disparity
Social Media InfluenceCulture > Society > Wealth Disparity > Oligarchs
Post-Soviet EraPolitics > International Relations > Russian Influence
London Real EstatePolitics > International Relations > Russian Influence > Post-Soviet Era
Society
DeathCrime
AdolescenceSociety > Family > Parenting
Wealth DisparityCulture > Society
MurderCrime > Death > Investigation
InvestigationCrime > Death
Russian InfluencePolitics > International Relations
SocietyCulture
DocumentaryMedia > Television
Police ProceduresCrime > Death > Investigation > Murder
Politics
International RelationsPolitics
Crime
StorytellingMedia > Television > Documentary
Culture
Narrative TechniquesMedia > Television > Documentary > Storytelling
Media
TelevisionMedia

CBC Podcasts on YouTube0:00 – 0:28

A

AdvertiserAd

0:00

All your favorite CBC podcasts are now available on YouTube.

A

AdvertiserAd

0:03

The best in award-winning true crime investigations, hilarious comedies, vibrant pop culture conversations, and even more audio series are all available on CBC Podcasts YouTube channel.

A

AdvertiserAd

0:14

You'll also find exclusive video first episodes, YouTube Shorts, and behind-the-scenes content from our hosts and producers that you can't find anywhere else.

A

AdvertiserAd

0:21

So if YouTube is your go-to source for podcasts, just search CBC Podcasts and hit subscribe, and you'll never miss the latest update.