CNBC Follows Oil Wealth from Africa to America in 'Filthy Rich'

There are estimates that corruption worldwide costs as much as $1.5 trillion a year. The Arab Spring lingers and so does kleptocracy in places like Equatorial Guinea, Azerbaijan and Tunisia.

CNBC Senior Correspondent Scott Cohn has spent the past year investigating oil rich countries as they move money into Dubai, London, Paris and a new hot spot for shell companies…the United States.

Nearly a year ago the Arab Spring began in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria. Dictatorships were toppled by protesters who were disgusted by the lavish lifestyles their leaders were living.

But in many oil rich countries, the ruling families continue to take what they want, living a life of luxury while the people are subjected to political oppression and corruption.

White tigers, Gulfstream 5s, $30 million Malibu California mansions - all paid for with money, critics say, that was stolen by dictators in oil rich nations. Cohn follows the money from Africa to America, which is fast becoming a place for the Filthy Rich to hide their wealth, in CNBC’s “Filthy Rich”, a one hour documentary from CNBC’s investigative unit, Investigations Inc.

CNBC's Filthy Rich airs Thursday 23rd February at 9pm, 10pm 12am and 1am ET.