Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Welcome to episode 251 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, OFSI fines Deutsche Bank for Russia sanctions breaches, and the US reaches a settlement with Adani Enterprises over prohibited transactions involving Iranian cargo. There is a $1 billion US federal crackdown on nationwide fraud schemes, alongside the arrest of a former Venezuelan minister for large-scale money laundering linked to state food-distribution programmes. We also look at joint warnings from UK financial authorities and the ICO regarding the accelerating threat of AI-driven cybercrime and deepfake impersonation, and report on INTERPOL's Operation Ramz on cybercrime across the MENA region.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 250 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the European Union has extended its cyber-attack sanctions, and the UK has made administrative updates to its Iran, Russia, and Afghanistan regimes. In the US, a $1 billion Medicare fraud leads to a conviction, and a sentence has been handed down in a decade-long money laundering conspiracy. Furthermore, the FCA Chief Executive warns of the interconnected nature of modern financial crime, and new US legislative proposals intended to address the rise of AI-driven threats. Finally, we discuss a cybersecurity expert's caution that the 2026 FIFA World Cup may serve as a target for global attacks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 249 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US and UK have expanded various of their sanctions regimes, while on fraud, the US has had heightened activity including the conviction of Bradley Heppner in a $150 million securities fraud scheme and the sentencing of a ringleader whose multinational network defrauded the elderly and vulnerable. Additionally, in the UK, the FRC sanctions former Carillion directors for reckless misconduct, and the ICO issues a near £1 million fine against South Staffordshire Water for a prolonged data breach. Finally, we look at the Google Threat Intelligence's warnings regarding the industrial-scale integration of AI by cyber-threat actors, and the outcomes of an international conference on economic crime held in London.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 248 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US expands sanctions targeting officials in Iraq and military-controlled conglomerates in Cuba. We look at a report on the rise in insider fraud threats and, on market abuse, the SEC prosecutes a global insider-trading ring. Additionally, the IMF has assessed governance vulnerabilities in Nepal, there is a significant cybersecurity breach of the Canvas learning platform, and Deutsche Bank's defence of a legal action brought against it by a former trader. Finally, the World Economic Forum reports on increasing cyber threats against under-resourced sectors like healthcare and NGOs.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 247 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, new UK sanctions target Russian drone manufacturing supply chains and migrant exploitation, and the FATF has published its mutual evaluation of Singapore. In the US, two individuals are sentenced for a genetic testing fraud, and in the UK Ultra Electronics has agreed a Deferred Prosecution Agreement for bribery failures. Finally, the FCA has cracked down on illegal financial promotions, the FSCS warns of increasingly sophisticated scam tactics, and in Moldova an OSCE initiative addresses corruption risks associated with virtual assets.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 246 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US sanctions a former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On fraud, a €50 million pan-European fraud network has been dismantled, and a range of counter-fraud operations in the US including one targeting cryptocurrency "pig-butchering" scam centres, and the successful prosecution of a $215 million business email compromise network. Furthermore, the European Parliament has passed a resolution on persistent anti-corruption and rule-of-law gaps across member states. Finally, Europol has published its 2026 threat assessment concerning generative AI and encryption in accelerating sophisticated cybercrime.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 245 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury's extensive sanctions targeting Iran's "shadow banking" network and its global oil revenue streams, alongside the UK's announcement of upcoming sanctions updates and revised trade licensing procedures. A French national has been sentenced for laundering nearly half a billion dollars through an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange, and the FCA has announced a crackdown on "finfluencer" promotions. A US soldier has been charged with using classified data to influence prediction-market bets and a court ruling lifts anonymity in an NCA unexplained wealth case. Finally, the BIS has published a paper on the prudential risks of crypto conglomerates and an investigation has commenced into the unauthorised sale of volunteer data from the UK Biobank.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 244 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the EU has adopted its 20th sanctions package against Russia, and US Treasury designations have targeted a Cambodian network linked to scam operations and human trafficking. In the UK, Serious Fraud Office is investigating an energy efficiency scheme fraud, and a former RBS manager has been sentenced for bribery. Furthermore, the FCA has announced a crackdown on illegal peer-to-peer crypto trading, and proposed reforms to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime. Finally, we direct to a debate on US waivers on Russian oil sanctions.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 243 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, new US sanctions targeting Iraqi militia commanders, procurement networks for Iranian missile technology, and facilitators of the conflict in Sudan. Deutsche Bank has self-disclosed potential breaches of Russian sanctions, and the EU has adopted a new directive aimed at standardising corruption offences and penalties across its membership. The FATF has made a commitment to addressing the global surge in fraud, and a Long Island business owner has been sentenced for COVID-19 fraud. Finally, the SEC has settled two separate insider trading cases, and the UK cyber agency has warned leadership of the rise of AI-driven threats to national infrastructure.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 242 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, an Iranian oil-smuggling network linked to Hizballah is addressed, alongside the UK National Crime Agency charging a shipping financier for Russia-related sanctions breaches and money laundering. There is the sentencing of two US nationals for facilitating a multi-million dollar fraud, and the FCA's new research into synthetic data for anti-money laundering. Additionally, the episode covers the outcomes of Operation PowerOFF, a global crackdown on DDoS-for-hire services, and the UK government's warnings regarding the rapid advancement of AI-enabled cyber threats. Finally, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has announced a new three-year strategy to strengthen the UK's financial sanctions framework. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 241 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Department of Justice has launched a $40 million remission process for victims of the OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud, and new sanctions are issued targeting casinos and associates linked to the Cartel del Noreste. AUSTRAC has warned the wealth management sector over a significant lack of suspicious matter reporting, and the UK government has a call for evidence on how ownership and control rules are applied in financial sanctions compliance. The episode also covers a cyber incident at the law firm Jones Day, the conviction of a former Ugandan minister, and a billionaire broker argues for the removal of the ban on insider trading.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 240 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury issues guidance targeting "sham transactions" used to evade sanctions, and the DoJ establishes the National Fraud Enforcement Division to coordinate major fraud prosecutions. Globally, Operation Atlantic disrupts $45 million in cryptocurrency schemes. In Australia, AUSTRAC has announced findings on AML vulnerabilities in foreign−owned banks and the US Attorney's Office for New Jersey has made a record $1.5 billion in criminal and civil recoveries. Finally, some news on oversight for stablecoin issuers and the latest developments in a significant costs dispute involving the Serious Fraud Office.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 239 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, record financial fraud losses are reported by the FTC and FBI, totalling $15.9 billion and $21 billion, respectively. The Department of Justice has taken enforcement action in relation to healthcare and COVID-19 fraud, and FinCEN has proposed an overhaul of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing programme requirements. Additionally, the episode covers the US Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal and its financial crime impact. Finally, there is advanced training in Montenegro to strengthen transnational financial investigations, and a round-up of cyber-attacks news.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

In this special episode, I spoke with Boaz Valkin, Co-Founder and CEO of Falkin, a digital safety platform which is redefining how financial institutions approach the global surge in fraud.Boaz's journey into the world of cyber defence is deeply personal, stemming from a devastating family experience where a close family member lost 15% of her life savings in a single afternoon to a bank phishing impersonation scam. This incident became the catalyst for Falkin's mission: to shift protection earlier in the scam lifecycle, focusing on the moment before someone clicks, replies, or transfers money. Before co-founding Falkin, Boaz built extensive experience in the high-growth tech sector, having served as Head of Product at Cazoo (which listed on the NYSE), Product Director and Founding Tech Employee at Moment, and Product Manager at Prodigy Finance. This background in building and scaling products from "zero to one" and "zero to 100" has prepared him for the complex challenge of tackling fraud.

Welcome to episode 238 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US lifts sanctions on Venezuela's acting president and several Russian-flagged vessels, and the UK extends a general licence. The SEC brings insider trading charges, while in the UK, the FRC closes its investigation into KPMG. Additionally, the episode covers Transparency International's assessment of global financial secrecy 10 years after the ‘Panama Papers', and there is a reported cyber-attack on Hasbro. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 237 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, OFSI issues a £390,000 penalty against Apple Distribution International for breaching Russia sanctions, and AUSTRAC significantly tightens anti-money laundering controls. In the US, there is a coordinated warning from the US Treasury and FinCEN regarding organised fraud targeting healthcare, alongside a new proposed whistleblower framework. Additionally, the FCA fines Dinosaur Merchant Bank for market abuse surveillance failures, and there is a critical report on stalled anti-corruption reforms across the European Union. Finally, we consider an international operation coordinated by Eurojust against large-scale bankruptcy fraud and the World Economic Forum's analysis of how artificial intelligence is accelerating global cyber fraud.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Cybercrime is always in the news. It is high profile. It is impossible to open a news-based website on any day without seeing news that an attack has taken place. Indeed, the most recent high-profile cyberattack in the UK on Jaguar Land Rover has closed the production line, sent employees home, and has the UK government stumping up £1.5bn in pandemic-style support for the supply chain. Against that background, it is unsurprising to see that the cost of cybercrime is expected to rise to $10.5 trillion by the time we're singing Auld Land Syne on 31st December this year. It is a crucial topic for corporate and individual alike. Consequently, I'm delighted to be joined today by Craig Taylor, CEO CyberHoot. CyberHoot is a cybersecurity awareness training platform designed to educate employees and strengthen a company's human defences against cyber threats, with a core mission of reducing organisational risk by improving "cyber literacy" among staff. What is unique about Cyberhoot's approach is blending cyber security and psychology to reshape how organisations approach cyber security awareness, focusing on positive reinforcement by rewarding cyber literacy.Craig has kindly offered 20% off CyberHoot for one year using the coupon code: "Financial Crimes"About CyberHootMain Website: https://cyberhoot.com/Individual Registration (Free Personal Training for Life): https://cyberhoot.com/individuals/Businesses & MSP Registration Signup: https://nest.cyberhoot.com/autopilot-signup/?Newsletter Registration:  https://cyberhoot.com/newsletters/Blog Articles: https://cyberhoot.com/blog/Cybrary (Cybersecurity Library of Terms in Layperson language): https://cyberhoot.com/cybrary/

Welcome to episode 236 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK government expands its human rights sanctions list, and a unanimous Supreme Court decision confirms that Russian sanctions suspended payment obligations under letters of credit. The Crown Prosecution Service has seized an £81 million London property portfolio using an Unexplained Wealth Order, and the European Parliament has approved a new EU-wide anti-corruption directive. Finally, BaFin has issued a fine for failing promptly to disclose inside information, and Google has warned of the quantum threat to current encryption standards.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 235 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury designates a 16-member network accused of diverting funds to Hizballah, and there is a guilty plea from a former bank CEO involving a multimillion-dollar fraud. In the UK, the NCA reports on the outcome of Operation Henhouse, and there is a new global public-private framework aimed at strengthening fraud prevention. The FCA has launched a formal investigation into the collapse of Market Financial Solutions, and announced a trial of Palantir technology for financial crime analysis. Finally, there is an international operation to dismantle a fraudulent dark web network, and a Dutch penal order issued against Fleurette for foreign bribery in the DRC.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 234 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, a landmark ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the classification of insider list notifications as "inside information" and the National Crime Agency's latest strategic assessment on the tech-driven "criminal ecosystem". In the US, the Department of Justice has reached a resolution in a foreign bribery case involving medical device sales, while in the EU, there is a new collaborative effort between EU and African investigators to target transnational procurement and customs fraud. Finally, there have been a seizure of Iranian-linked domains used for cyber-enabled psychological operations.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 233 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, INTERPOL and the UNODC raise the problem of the "industrialisation of fraud." In England, the High Court has ruled that the tort of conversion cannot be used to recover stolen cryptocurrency, and the Environment Agency is to have police powers to address waste crime. The Council of the European Union has imposed new sanctions targeting malicious cyber activities and Russian hybrid threats. In the US, an Executive Order creates a task force to coordinate a national strategy against fraud, and the DOJ has seized $14.9 million linked to a trade-based money laundering scheme.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 232 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US designates four non-profits in Türkiye and Indonesia for allegedly funding Hamas, and takes action against a DPRK IT worker fraud network. In the UK, OFSI updates guidance on evaluating the "reasonableness" of legal fees in sanctions licensing, and it varies the Russia sanctions list concerning a close associate of Alisher Usmanov. The FATF has warned that offshore crypto service providers are creating critical blind spots for global AML enforcement, while a probe in Jersey is investigating whether the £2.4 billion proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC constitute proceeds of crime. Finally, there is the international dismantling of the 'SocksEscort' proxy network, and the sentencing of a UK national over an illegal sale-and-rent-back scheme which exploited vulnerable homeowners.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 231 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK Government unveils a £250 million Fraud Strategy and a new Online Crime Centre. In the US, the Treasury has released its 2026 National Risk Assessments, while the DOJ seeks to forfeit over $15 million tied to an Iranian oil-evasion network. We look at the UK's new unified strategic approach to sanctions enforcement, and an international police operation which dismantled a global drug-trafficking and money-laundering ring spanning four continents. Finally, the US Department of Justice's first department-wide corporate enforcement policy aimed at standardising misconduct remediation, as well as the global 'Custos Viridis' operation, which targeted environmental crime and waste trafficking networks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 230 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the FCA has fined John Wood Group plc for publishing misleading financial statements, while banning orders have been issued against directors for fraud linked to NHS contracts. On international enforcement, a Spanish police operation has dismantled a money-laundering ring, and there has been a takedown of both the LeakBase data marketplace and a major phishing-as-a-service platform. On sanctions, the UK has issued new detailed licensing guidance for Belarus sanctions, while in other financial crime news, Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz argues for multilateral financial integrity as a vital tool against global inequality and corruption.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 229 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, there is major US civil forfeiture action targeting an oil tanker and 1.8 million barrels of crude oil linked to illicit trade between Iran and Venezuela. The FATF has warned that stablecoins accounted for 84% of illicit virtual asset volume in 2025, alongside an OPBAS report flagging persistent enforcement weaknesses in the AML supervision of professional services firms. In the EU, the EPPO reveals that VAT and customs fraud drove over €45 billion in estimated damages last year, while the NCA's 2025-2026 Annual Plan shifts resources toward disrupting high-level corrupt elites and professional enablers. Finally, AUSTRAC has briefed the legal sector on upcoming AML/CTF obligations and the NCSC has warned UK organisations to harden cyber defences amid ongoing Middle East instability.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 228 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, significant enforcement actions as the US Treasury sanctions Iran's "shadow fleet" and procurement networks, while FinCEN moves to cut Swiss bank MBaer off from the American financial system. In the UK, Transparency International's report on £5.9 billion in trade between UK Overseas Territories and Russia, alongside the SFO's first use of Unexplained Wealth Orders and its successful £283,000 confiscation order against Harlequin fraudster David Ames. Furthermore, we examine Europol's dismantling of a multinational cocaine laundering network and a new UNODC report exposing the $18 billion global waste trafficking industry. Finally, we cover the appointment of Graham McNulty as Interim Director of the SFO and the strategic highlights from the FATF's 2024–2025 Annual Report.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 227 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK government's most extensive sanctions package against Russia since 2022, targeting nearly 300 entities and vessels, alongside a prison sentence for a UK director who illicitly exported military-grade rifle sights to Hong Kong. In enforcement news, the SFO has secured a prison term for the perpetrator of a global aircraft parts fraud, while a Washington man has admitted to laundering nearly $100 million for an international investment scam. We also consider the FCA's action against seven social media influencers for unauthorised financial promotions and the ICO's landmark legal victory in the Court of Appeal regarding data security. Furthermore, we look at a new FATF report on the rise of cyber-enabled fraud and a significant poll showing that a majority of NATO publics view cyberattacks on critical infrastructure as acts of war. Finally, we cover the appointment of the EU's new AMLA Vice-Chair and a warning from the NCA's AI lead regarding potential bias risks in predictive policing technology. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 226 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we cover a significant international enforcement push by INTERPOL, while the US Treasury targets a CJNG−linked timeshare fraud network. We also look at US sanctions imposed on Sudanese RSF commanders and MONEYVAL's praise for Latvia's significant AML/CFT progress. In legal developments, we cover the conviction of a Chinese national in a gift-card laundering scheme, and the Upper Tribunal's decision to uphold FCA penalties against company directors. Finally, we examine ESMA's new consultation to streamline market abuse disclosure rules. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 225 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at the outcomes of the FATF Plenary, the UK government's call for evidence on sanctions ownership and control rules, and the FCA issuing a fine to the former Carillion CEO. In the US, the Treasury has launched a new confidential whistleblower portal, and FinCEN has warned of the rise of relationship-investment scams. Finally, we examine the World Economic Forum's analysis of strengthening financial crime defences in the Gulf States, and a major UK government study concerning cyber attacks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 224 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury has sanctioned a Hizballah-linked gold and shipping network operating across the Middle East and Russia, alongside a $1.72 million OFAC fine against IMG Academy for tuition-related violations of Mexican counternarcotics sanctions. In the UK, the FCA's first-ever enforcement action against a global crypto exchange, HTX, for illegal UK promotions, while Transparency International warns that the UK's new Representation of the People Bill still allows "mega-donors" to exert outsized political influence. We also look at the UK SFO's conclusion that legacy e-discovery technical issues have not compromised past convictions, and the UK leads a 2,500-person multinational cyber-defence exercise in Singapore. Finally, we look at the alarming weaponisation of AI in cyber-espionage, highlighting a sophisticated campaign by state-sponsored hackers which marks an historic shift toward machine-speed autonomous attacks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 223 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the major story is the stark warning from Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, which highlights a global decline in public sector integrity and significant backsliding in established democracies like the UK and US. In sanctions enforcement, the US has designated a network of 14 "shadow fleet" vessels and multiple entities involved in trading Iranian oil, while the EU prepares its 20th sanctions package. We also examine the UK's launch of a world-first framework to identify gaps in deepfake detection, alongside a warning from Google that state-sponsored hackers are increasingly targeting individual defence-sector employees via personalised phishing. Finally, we cover the federal indictment of a US Department of Defense employee for allegedly laundering millions for an overseas fraud network, the FCA's latest fines for insider dealing, and the launch of OFAC's new online portal to streamline voluntary self-disclosures.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 222 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a light flurry of UK sanctions activity, including the designation of six individuals under the Sudan regime and an update to general licensing following the merger of Bank FC Otkritie, while a new analysis explores how cryptocurrency is being leveraged to sustain Russia's war economy. In fraud developments, we cover a nationwide US marriage-fraud and bribery indictment and in the UK a warning regarding AI voice cloning used to hijack direct debits. We also examine a Home Office evaluation of the National Fraud Squad, and a MONEYVAL assessment of Serbia. Finally, the CCRC has referred five City-trader convictions back to the Court of Appeal, and a significant shift in US policy toward lighter-touch financial regulation and expanded leniency for cooperative corporations.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 221 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a coordinated international push against Iranian repression, while in the US the Treasury has opened a path for established firms to resume Venezuelan oil exports. In the UK, the Upper Tribunal has upheld FCA findings of a lack of integrity against Rangecourt SA and its former executives, and the FCA has also warned that modernising the UK's payment landscape must include enhanced protections and reimbursement schemes for victims of authorised push payment APP scams. Finally, we cover the federal conviction of an Ohio fraud and bribery conspiracy and a multi-year effort by the US and Indonesia to strengthen asset recovery.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 220 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a major escalation in international sanctions, as the EU targets 15 individuals and six entities in Iran for human rights abuses and military support for Russia, while the UK's OFSI announces a sweeping overhaul of its enforcement framework. In the fraud and money laundering sectors, the National Audit Office has criticised the Ministry of Defence for recovering just 48p for every £1 spent on counter-fraud efforts, and HMRC has published a list of hundreds of businesses fined for anti-money laundering breaches. Finally, we cover significant legal milestones in the U.S., including the first-ever $1m anti trust whistle-blower reward involving a car auction bid−rigging scheme and the federal seizure of over $400 million linked to the Helix darknet crypto mixer.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 219 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with the UK government's proposal to establish a new National Police Service, dubbed a "British FBI." In sanctions news, the US Treasury has designated nine vessels linked to Iran's "shadow fleet," OFSI has fined Bank of Scotland for Russia-related breaches, and a UN expert has urged the US to lift sanctions against International Criminal Court officials. We also consider significant enforcement action, including an 18-year sentence for a fraud courier, a 46-month sentence of a Chinese national for money laundering, and bribery charges unsealed against a former NATO procurement official. Furthermore, we look at a £5.6 million confiscation order against a professional launderer tied to a massive Bitcoin fraud and a landmark report warning that fraud may soon constitute half of all crime in England and Wales. Finally, we cover the EU's progress on a new Anti-Corruption Directive and the FCA's warning to consumers regarding the risks of high-risk securities under the new public offers regime.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 218 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at decisive action from the US Treasury targeting a hidden Hamas support network using nonprofit fronts and a major Costa Rica-based cocaine trafficking and money laundering operation. In the UK, the City of London Police launched the "Report Fraud" service, and the SFO has charged two former executives following the collapse of the prepaid funeral provider. We also look at significant global compliance shifts, including a former TD Bank employee's guilty plea in a $26 million laundering scheme and MONEYVAL reports highlighting strengthened AML frameworks in Azerbaijan and Estonia. Finally, we look at the IMF's new governance diagnostic for Nepal and the transition to the UK Sanctions List as the sole authoritative source for domestic designations. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 217 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with the US Treasury sanctioning 21 entities and individuals involved in Houthi oil smuggling and weapons procurement, while the EU marks a historic structural shift as the European Banking Authority transfers all AML/CFT mandates to the new AMLA. We examine the SFO's conviction of three directors in a £70 million "ethical forestry" fraud and the FCA's £309,843 fine against a consultant for repeated insider dealing. Furthermore, we discuss South Africa's legislative push to close FATF gaps via its updated 2025 Amendment Bill, and a stern warning from a UK Treasury Select Committee that regulators are moving too slowly to address the systemic risks posed by the rapid integration of AI. Finally, we consider the industrialisation of cybercrime, the NCSC's warning regarding escalating pro-Russian DDoS attacks on UK infrastructure, and new research into how youth cybercrime often begins with everyday online risk-taking.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 216 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with significant sanctions updates as the UK and EU lower the oil price cap on Russian crude to $44.10 per barrel, and the US Treasury targets Iranian shadow-banking networks and security officials linked to illicit financing. We also analyse major domestic and international enforcement, including the UK SFO's £300 million bribery and fraud probe into Home REIT, Spain's record €30 million AML penalty against CaixaBank, and the sentencing of a Massachusetts man to 15 years for international money laundering. Furthermore, we look at Transparency International's warning regarding the erosion of US anti-corruption leadership and the EU's decision to remove South Africa from its list of high-risk jurisdictions. Finally, we cover MONEYVAL's latest progress reports on a number of nations and a new transnational coalition of financial intelligence units meeting in Washington to disrupt global organised crime.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 215 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with significant global sanctions updates, including a multilateral warning regarding North Korean cyber-enabled sanctions evasion and the US designation of several Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organisations. We also look at major legal developments, such as the five-year money laundering sentence handed to Georgia's former Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, and a landmark UK High Court ruling affirming the continued enforceability of the Guralp Systems DPA. Furthermore, we consider federal charges against a former New York City official for bribery and PPP fraud, as well as the US government's civil forfeiture action against cryptocurrency tied to a "pig-butchering" scam. Finally, we cover MONEYVAL's assessment of Poland's crypto-asset safeguards, a significant guilty plea in a multimillion-dollar insider trading scheme, and the FCA's successful confiscation order against the fraudster behind the collapsed platform Collateral (UK) Ltd.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 214 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we cover significant federal movements in the US, including the White House's launch of a new DOJ division for national fraud enforcement and a former TD Bank employee pleading guilty to a $2 million money laundering scheme. In the UK, the SFO has repatriated £400,000 to fraud victims, the FCA has fined former Carillion directors for misleading market announcements, and an ex-Jefferies banker has denied insider dealing charges. We also consider GRECO's warning to Belgium regarding stalled anti-corruption reforms and the arrest of 34 suspected "Black Axe" members in Spain for large-scale fraud and human trafficking. Finally, we look at the ICO's new memorandum of understanding with the UK government, and the latest Russia-related sanctions adjustments by OFAC. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 213 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the dramatic escalation in global sanctions enforcement, including the US targeting four entities linked to Venezuela's oil sector and a high-stakes naval engagement over a sanctioned tanker in the North Atlantic. We also analyse the UKFIU's 2024-25 annual report, while in the US, FinCEN has officially delayed its AML compliance deadline for investment advisers to 2028. Furthermore, we examine Nigeria's bold anti-corruption showcase at the UNCAC COSP11 conference and the UK's newly launched £210 million Cyber Action Plan aimed at hardening public-sector defences against evolving digital threats.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

This Financial Crime Weekly Special Episode examines the seismic regulatory and enforcement shifts that reshaped the crypto landscape in 2025. From the EU's “Fortress Europe” under MiCA and the UK's aggressive Financial Promotions regime, to U.S. legislative clarity on stablecoins and digital commodities, the episode highlights how the era of regulatory liminality has ended. With case studies ranging from prosecutions tied to human trafficking and elder abuse to the technical blind spots of chain‑hopping and DeFi “mathematical mixers,” the discussion captures both the moral and operational stakes. Looking ahead, it explores how automation and AI‑driven compliance will define survival in 2026.

This Financial Crime Weekly Special Episode looks ahead to 2026, a year defined by localisation and divergence in global financial crime regulation. From the EU's AMLA rollout and the US Corporate Transparency Act compliance cliff, to the UK's aggressive enforcement of the new “Failure to Prevent Fraud” offence, the episode explores how jurisdictions are reshaping rules to meet domestic priorities. With insights into sanctions reform, fraud liability shifts, capital markets changes, and the operational resilience demands of DORA, the UK's Critical Third Parties regime, and the EU AI Act, this horizon scan highlights the strategic risks and compliance imperatives that will shape the year ahead.

In this Financial Crime Weekly Review episode, we take stock of the key developments which shaped 2025 across enforcement, regulation, and corporate accountability. From landmark legislative changes and headline cases to evolving trends in cryptoassets, ESG‑related financial crime, and sanctions, the episode distills a year of complex activity into clear insights. With a focus on practical impact and strategic foresight, it offers listeners a concise yet comprehensive overview of the themes that will define compliance and risk management moving into 2026.

This special edition of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast unpacks the landmark “Failure to Prevent Fraud” offence introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Effective from 1 September 2025, the law reshapes corporate accountability by imposing strict liability on large organisations when associated parties commit fraud intended to benefit them. The episode explores why the reform was needed, the elements of the offence, its jurisdictional reach, penalties, and the statutory defence of “reasonable prevention procedures.” With practical insights into compliance expectations and cultural change, it's an essential listen for anyone navigating the new era of corporate fraud prevention.

Welcome to episode 212 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast with Chris Kirkbride. This week, we cover key global sanctions, including U.S. penalties for Iran violations and actions against fuel theft cartels and terrorist groups. In the UK, new Russia and Syria sanctions are announced, with Roman Abramovich given a final deadline over Chelsea sale funds. On fraud and money laundering, the response to the Tricolor Auto Group collapse, Bendigo Bank faces regulatory action, and Axiom's David Kennedy receives a confiscation order. Integrity issues include insider trading convictions and the OECD urging Colombia to reform its foreign bribery laws.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Hello and welcome to episode 211 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US seizes a crude oil tanker linked to an oil shipping network supporting Hizballah and Iran's IRGC-Qods Force, while the EU Council sanctioned nine shadow fleet enablers and twelve individuals and two entities involved in hybrid threats, cyberattacks, and foreign information manipulation against Ukraine and NATO allies. We also reflect on geopolitical shifts, as the US Treasury lifted Global Magnitsky sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes following political negotiations, and the UK designated four Sudanese RSF commanders for grave humanitarian law violations in Darfur. On other financial crime threats, the conviction of three City fund managers in a £11.4 million fraud targeting Libya's sovereign wealth fund, the FATF flagging serious effectiveness weaknesses in Belgium's fight against money laundering, and the US Treasury warning consumers about a surge in AI-enabled cyber scams during the holiday season. Finally, we look at regulatory action, as the UK's FCA launched a consultation to bring a market abuse regime and disclosure requirements to cryptoassets, and the ICO fined LastPass £1.2 million for a 2022 data breach impacting 1.6 million UK users.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Hello and welcome to episode 210 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the UK has sanctioned two China-based technology companies for conducting reckless cyberattacks, while the US Treasury imposed sanctions on shipping firms and insiders linked to the Maduro regime. We also cover critical anti-money laundering failures, highlighted by the FCA fining Nationwide Building Society £44.1m for pervasive weaknesses in its anti-financial crime controls between 2016 and 2021, and the FATF finding Malaysia weak on converting money laundering investigations into prosecutions. Furthermore, there are warnings from the UNODC that organised crime is heavily exploiting the mining sector across Latin America and the Caribbean, and look ahead to the global anti-corruption push at the UN's COSP11 conference.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Hello and welcome to episode 209 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia's GRU following the conclusion of the Salisbury poisoning inquiry, and implements dual sanctions targeting both malicious cyber actors and entities destabilising Ukraine. Australia has launched a world-first autonomous sanctions framework against key Taliban leaders, while the US Treasury sanctioned a transnational network primarily composed of Colombian nationals for recruiting fighters for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces. On corruption, in the UK, the government unveiled its comprehensive Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025, and world anti-corruption day has been marked by a range of global agencies. Fraud concerns were highlighted by the US recovering nearly $1.7 million in cryptocurrency stolen through a sophisticated investment scam, and a UK report reveals that taxpayers lost £10.9 billion to Covid support scheme fraud and error. Finally, regulatory enforcement targeted the financial sector, as FinCEN imposed a $3.5 million penalty on Paxful for wilfully violating the Bank Secrecy Act.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Hello and welcome to episode 208 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we begin with significant global enforcement actions, including the landmark agreement by the EU to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, and the UK's expansion of sanctions with 12 new designations targeting individuals and entities under its Cyber and Russia regimes, alongside new counter-terrorism designations. In the US, the Treasury's OFAC imposed a substantial $7.1m penalty on Gracetown Inc for violating Russia-related sanctions involving an entity owned by sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska, and sanctioned a Venezuelan entertainer and associates for supporting the terrorist cartel Tren de Aragua. We also look at major crime fighting successes, such as Europol and Eurojust dismantling a massive cryptocurrency fraud network responsible for laundering over €700 million, and the EU formally designating Russia as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorist financing. Finally, on domestic issues, the UK Gambling Commission fining Done Brothers £825,000 for serious anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings, and the launch of the new Report Fraud service by the City of London Police to replace Action Fraud.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Hello and welcome to episode 207 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. This episode covers a range of critical global financial crime developments, beginning with sanctions, where the UK government published statutory guidance detailing when trade licences under Russia sanctions may be granted, such as for humanitarian assistance or critical energy supply, while the US Treasury settled an $11.5 million sanctions case with IPI Partners for maintaining investments with sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov. We also cover significant fraud and money laundering cases, including the European Public Prosecutor's Office uncovering a €40 million EU subsidy fraud scheme in Italy involving fictitious training courses, and the UK's Serious Fraud Office securing a conviction against the director of AOG Technics for selling aircraft engine parts with forged documentation. Additionally, we analyse integrity reforms, as the Council of Europe's GRECO confirmed the UK has made substantial progress in anti-corruption reforms within government and law enforcement, but still needs fully to implement sanctions for post-employment breaches and enhance lobbying transparency. We conclude with cybercrime, highlighting the NCSC's launch of its free Cyber Action Toolkit to help small businesses combat rising threats.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.