Politics and economics, always worth a look.
Esp. when they are related to 20 tons of gold.
In 2016, Venezuela borrowed $ 750 millions from the Deutsche Bank. As a pledge, they used 20 tons of gold, resting in a vault in London. Venezuela did not pay back the loan, so the Gold now belongs to the gnomes of Frankfurt.
So far, so good.
But since 2016, the gold price went up, so the 20 tons of gold are today worth about $ 860 millions. The difference belongs, of course, to the government of Venezuela.
But which one? The one of the ruling president Maduro, or the self-claimed "interims"-president Guaidó?
Giving it to Maduro will make many people unhappy, among them the US Government. Giving it to Guaidó will make other people unhappy, among them the Government of Russia.
Until a decision is made, the gold collects dust in the London vault, and the bankers in London and Frankfurt put on their best poker-faces.
So, what do we get?
Excellent plot hooks.
A "real-world" campaign could range from classic, grim-and-gritty espionage, when US and Russian Agents try to secure the money for their favourite party ("Great! It's like the 80's are back!") to an Oceans-11 styled caper, when a merry band of gentlemen-burglars try to double-cross CIA and FSB and grab all the shiny gold.
It could be easily adapted to other settings. In a science fiction setting, it could be a colony planet that borrowed money from a mega corporation. In fantasy, it could be noble that took a loan from a guild (or maybe a god?), and the pledge could be a village whose serfs suddenly have new masters.
Other ideas?
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-...-deutsche-bank