[Yeri]

Yes. It's not going to be hard 'traceable' cash, but it'll be favours and other permits.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_Tower_Moscow

[joenot443]

I'm a bit confused by the connection you're trying to make - it sounds as if the project never went anywhere?

[rbanffy]

He never loses his own money - he gets paid for licensing his name and brand and for his "expertise". It's the investors who get defrauded.