Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Hello, and welcome to episode 162 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at developments in global financial crime enforcement, including the UK Information Tribunal's affirmation of OFSI's "Neither Confirm Nor Deny" approach to sanctions licence confidentiality, calls to strengthen UK whistleblower protections for sanctions enforcement, and the EU's latest sanctions against Russia. We also examine regulatory shifts, such as the Netherlands' ban on large cash transactions, North Macedonia's judicial anti-corruption reforms, and OFAC's $215 million penalty against GVA Capital for sanctions evasion. In cybersecurity, we highlight AI-powered payment fraud detection, the dark market for stolen data, and concerns over outdated security systems in financial services. Finally, we look at legal challenges surrounding deepfake fraud, crypto insolvencies, and evolving cyber deterrence strategies in national security.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 161 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast – midweek edition – I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this first midweek episode, we cover significant developments in global sanctions, money laundering enforcement, and anti-corruption efforts. From the US imposing sanctions on ICC judges and Iran's shadow banking network to a global coalition imposing sanctions on two Israeli politicians. We also look at Argentina's Anti-Corruption Office clearing President Milei in the LIBRA scandal, Russia's arrest of the Krasnoyarsk mayor on bribery charges, and the EU updating its list of high-risk financial crime jurisdictions.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available on Thursday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 160 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this week's episode, we look at fresh developments in sanctions enforcement, money laundering crackdowns, and fraud investigations. The UK government is pressuring Roman Abramovich over £2.5 billion in frozen funds from Chelsea FC's sale, while OFAC targets Guyanese and Colombian drug traffickers using narco-subs and secret airstrips. We explore how Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are strengthening financial crime investigations and discuss the European Commission's push to grey-list Monaco over lingering AML deficiencies. Plus, AUSTRAC warns of AI-driven money laundering risks, and the EPPO takes down a €100 million VAT fraud network.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 159 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this week's episode, we cover developments in global financial crime enforcement, sanctions policy shifts, and emerging regulatory challenges. In the US, the Treasury has provided sanctions relief for Syria, while the EU has made a parallel decision. Switzerland has proposed an overhaul of money laundering laws, while India is making a diplomatic push for Pakistan's reclassification on the FATF grey list. We look at cybersecurity threats, including OFAC's sanctions on a Philippine firm enabling crypto scams, Europol's efforts to dismantle ATM robbery networks, and Australia's new ransomware payment disclosure law. From corporate transparency controversies in the US to news from the Annual Anti-Money Laundering Centre Conference.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 158 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this week's episode, we begin with the UK's latest sanctions enforcement strategy, including new measures targeting Russia's financial networks, extremist settler groups in the West Bank, and corruption in Moldova and Georgia. We then cover the UK's 100 new sanctions in response to Russia's largest drone attack on Ukraine, alongside updates on whistleblowing protections for trade sanctions violations. Next, we examine the EU's 17th sanctions package, tightening restrictions on Russia's shadow fleet and military suppliers, followed by the US sanctions on Sudan for chemical weapons use and OFAC's designation of Cartel del Noreste leaders for terrorism and trafficking. We also discuss transparency concerns over £64 billion hidden in UK property trusts, Europol's Operation ENDGAME dismantling ransomware infrastructure, and HSBC's warning that cybercrime is now its biggest expense. Finally, we explore the rise of AI-driven market manipulation, the UK's deregulation push, and Europol's latest analysis on how criminal networks destabilise the EU.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 157 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this week's episode, the UK's OFSI has published a blog post after it issued its first penalty for failing to respond to a statutory Request for Information, reinforcing compliance expectations. Meanwhile, Mozambique has met FATF requirements for removal from the grey list, signalling progress in financial transparency. The FCA continues its crackdown on insider trading, warning against strategic leaks in mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, Europol has dismantled a multimillion-euro investment scam, recovering assets and securing arrests across multiple jurisdictionsA transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 156 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. In this week's episode, we explore major developments in financial crime and global enforcement. The European Union is advancing its 17th sanctions package against Russia, coordinating with the US amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, while OFAC targets cyber scam operators and tightens sanctions on Iranian oil importers. The UK has amended export controls, reinforced financial penalties, and sanctioned Russia's shadow fleet as part of broader efforts to uphold financial sanctions. Meanwhile, an international anti-money laundering operation spanning France, Ukraine, and Monaco has uncovered a vast criminal network linked to illicit arms deals, and Jersey consults on expanded beneficial ownership transparency. On fraud, the UK-Nigeria partnership aims to combat rising financial crime, while the FCA gathers input on cryptoasset regulation to refine oversight. Finally, cybercrime remains a growing challenge, with the UK responding to retail cyberattacks, Europol disrupting DDoS-for-hire networks, and evolving AI-driven financial fraud.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 155 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. This week's episode covers key developments in global sanctions enforcement, corporate transparency, and financial fraud. We look at China's potential easing of sanctions on MEPs, concerns over UK professionals enabling Russian sanctions evasion, and OFSI's latest amendments to Russian designations and Syria-related licences. The episode also dives into OFAC's expanded counter-terrorism measures, the UK's fraud bill aimed at strengthening welfare oversight, and the SFO's latest bribery investigation into a high-profile data centre project. Additionally, we highlight crypto market manipulation, new AML initiatives in the British Virgin Islands, and EU regulatory shifts, including Malta's controversial golden passport scheme. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 154 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. This week's edition looks at global developments in financial crime enforcement, sanctions, and regulatory updates. We explore the Yemen International Bank's response to US sanctions, new measures targeting Iranian LPG facilitators, and adjustments to UK sanctions on Syria. Additionally, we look at the evolving landscape of anti-money laundering compliance, including responses from the American Bankers Association and the Institute of International Finance to the FATF's proposed reforms. Fraud remains a critical concern, with fresh insights into identity fraud risks, SEC actions against crypto-related schemes, and new legislative moves tackling cybercrime and financial fraud in the UK. We also highlight the latest trends in bribery, corruption, and market abuse—including China's crackdown on a senior anti-corruption official, Germany's financial sector enforcement, and the UK Serious Fraud Office's new self-reporting framework. Finally, we assess cybersecurity risks, legislative shifts on SIM farms, and broader regulatory efforts aimed at reinforcing financial integrity worldwide. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 153 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. This week's episode covers the latest global developments in financial crime, sanctions, fraud, market abuse, and cyber threats. In this episode, we delve into the controversy surrounding US sanctions on the International Criminal Court, escalating restrictions on Russian financial networks, and covert Iranian oil transactions. We also cover major money laundering arrests in the Netherlands, new anti-corruption assessments from GRECO, and groundbreaking fraud detection innovations at Florida Atlantic University. Plus, the UK unveils its first INTERPOL Silver Notice, and NATO tests cyber incident responses amid rising global cybersecurity concerns.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 152 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. This week's episode covers a range of topics, including sanctions, money laundering, fraud, bribery, corruption, market abuse, and cybercrime. Highlights include new sanctions imposed by the US and China, updates on anti-money laundering reforms in Switzerland, and significant fraud investigations in the EU and US. The episode also discusses the UK's first conviction for breaching Russia-related sanctions, Nigeria's potential exit from the FATF grey list, and the increasing threats posed by AI-powered cyber-attacks. Additionally, it features insights into the use of emerging technologies in combating corruption and the challenges faced by Companies House in enforcing economic crime penalties.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 151 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. After a few quiet weeks, the news has increased this week. On sanctions, new designations aimed at the usual targets in the US, as well as enforcement news. The UK has amended some licences, as well as having issued new designations. On money laundering AUSTRAC has made a number of updates to its website, and Transparency International reflects on anti-money laundering reform in Switzerland. On fraud news, Stop Scams UK has issued a joint statement, while the APPG on Fair Banking has published a report on APP fraud. On bribery and corruption news, reports on the scale of hospitality on offer to those around government, while departures from the SEC in the US hit the news wires. In relation to other financial crime news, a Business Plan from the Serious Fraud Office, and the National Crime Agency has published its annual plan. There is also a round-up of cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 150 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. The sanctions news this week brings new designations from the US and UK, as well as a host of amendments to designations and licences in the UK. The money laundering news brings a Hawala warning from HMRC in the UK, and of the need for public-private collaboration from the FATF. On bribery and corruption news, the UNDP has updated on its collaborative efforts in Samoa, and the OECD puts Belgium into the spotlight on its implementation of the OECD Convention. On market abuse news, challenges against conviction in the LIBOR-rigging convictions, and there is a round-up of other financial crime news and a little cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 149 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. The sanctions news this week probably accounts for the bulk of the news. New sanctions from the EU, UK, and US, as well as the monthly report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clear Air. In the UK, the National Crime Agency has published its SARs Reporter Booklet for March, and on bribery news, more on the corruption investigation relating to people connected to the European Parliament, and the UK, France, and Switzerland launch a new anti-corruption taskforce. On fraud news, the UK has published the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences, and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (‘IOSCO') has announced a new investors alerts portal. In terms of the major news this week, it is undoubtedly the publication of Europol's EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA) 2025.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 148 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, threats to Russia from the US, minor changes to the UK sanctions regime, and a couple of pieces of reading I wanted to share. On money laundering, a crypto exchange take-down in the US, while on bribery and corruption, activity in the EU against alleged corruption. On fraud, interesting stories from the US with warnings of fraud and the scale of fraud committed against citizens. On other financial crime news, Europol has announced that its EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2025, and we end this week with a round-up of cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 147 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. Once more this week, we have seen an uptick in financial crime news. On sanctions, broad changes to the UK sanctions regime, while the US has focused its sanctions activity on the Houthis. On money laundering, more FATF Consultations and, in the US, it has been announced that the beneficial ownership elements of the Corporate Transparency Act will not be enforced in some circumstances. On fraud news, the UK has warned of a risk to younger people from fraudsters operating in the rental market, while in other financial crime news, the Financial Conduct Authority has announced the sentencing of an unlawful operator of crypto ATMs. And finally, in the round-up of cybercrime news, the US has been active against Chinese cyber criminals, imposing sanctions, announcing rewards for information, and unsealing indictments.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, is available at www.crimes.financial.

Hello, and welcome to episode 146 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. The weeks are getting busier again, which is never a good sign. On sanctions, the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has spurred the European Union and the UK to issue further sanctions. On money laundering news, the FATF concluded its Paris plenary with updates to the ‘grey list', changes to its Recommendations, and an opening to a consultation. The anti-corruption news comes from Ukraine where GRECO has updated on its anti-corruption recommendations in the nation. On market abuse news, the Central Bank of Ireland has issued a fine for various MAR breaches. There is also a round-up of other financial crime news, as well as some brief cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 145 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. A reasonably busy week this week. On sanctions, new designations from the UK, EU, and US, while the UN has agreed a sanctions extension on Sudan. On money laundering, AUSTRAC and Europol announce action against remitters and digital currency exchanges and a money laundering gang. On market abuse, the Financial Conduct Authority has announced action against Mako Financial Markets Partnership for failings in its systems and controls to prevent financial crime, while in other financial crime news, the Competition and Markets Authority in the UK has announced settlement in a competition case against four banks for sharing sensitive information relating to UK gilts.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 144 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. A reasonably busy week this week. On sanctions, changes to various regimes from the UK, including a shift in approach on Syria. On money laundering, MONEYVAL issues a report on Guernsey, and the FATF trails its upcoming plenary. The bribery and corruption news comes from the US with a range of stories, while on fraud, arrests in Europe relating to a multi-million-euro investment fraud. On market abuse, Switzerland has charged an individual with insider dealing, and the FCA in the UK has updated on its approach to cryptoasset, debt solutions, and claims management company promotions. The other financial crime news provides that the EU has given funding to combat wildlife crime, and the Public Accounts Committee in the UK has warned that the estimate of tax evasion in the UK may be higher than official figures. And finally in the round-up of this week's financial crime news the cybercrime news comes with sanctions against a Russian cybercrime network, and Europol announces arrests in relation to a ransomware group.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 143 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. The news is certainly starting to pick up now. There has been an increase in designations, principally from the US, though also from Australia. On money laundering news, MONEYVAL has issued an update on Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the FATF has published its Annual Report. On bribery and corruption news, the former Chief Operating Manager of Trafigura has been sentenced for his part in bribery, and GRECO has published its first report on Bulgaria. On fraud news, Comms Council UK (‘CCUK') and National Trading Standards have launched a joint information-sharing initiative, and the Charity Commission has issued an alert for certain charities which may be caught by the new failure to prevent fraud offence. There is a round-up of other financial crime news, and some cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 142 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. The news is starting to pick up now after the Christmas and New Year lull. On sanctions, additions to the Belarus financial sanctions regime by the UK, and the Council of Europe has made additions to its Russia financial sanctions regime. On money laundering, the European Public Prosecutor's Office has announced an indictment over money laundering by a criminal syndicate, and French authorities are to investigate alleged money laundering in relation to cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. On fraud, news from the UK concerning the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, and some market conduct action by the Financial Conduct Authority. There is also a round-up of other financial crim news across Europe, and this week's Cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to the first episode 141 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. This week has been a quiet week, which in some cases will be due to the collective holding-of-breath following the change of administration in the US. That said, there have been some sanctions designations from the US, and money laundering warnings issued by the regulator in the UK. There is a fine for Danske Bank issued by the Norwegian financial services regulator for market manipulation, and in the UK, the Serious Fraud Office has obtained its first Unexplained Wealth Order. We end this week with a limited amount of cyber news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to the first episode 140 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. This week, the sanctions have increased across a range of the usual suspects: Russia, Sudan, and North Korea. The US and UK have published a new memorandum of understanding, and the UK Supreme Court has heard an appeal against designation by Eugene Shvindler. On bribery and corruption, the US forfeits funds from a Venezuelan national, and agreed to repatriate forfeited funds to Nigeria. There is fraud news from the UK concerning a slight twist on the typical form of Covid 19 fraud. On money laundering, MOVEYVAL has published follow-up reports on Estonia and Slovakia. In other news, Interpol has published its first-ever Silver Notice. We end this week with a host of cyber-attack news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to the first episode of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast of 2025 – episode 139 – I'm Chris Kirkbride. The end of the calendar year and the beginning of the new calendar year offers some respite for the typical deluge of financial crime stories, and so it is with this episode. The sanctions news has the usual range of sanctions additions, amendments, and licences, with the big news from the UK where a new sanctions regime against people smugglers has been announced. On money laundering, action in the UK against a gambling corporation, and news from Portugal concerning one of its large banks. This short episode is then rounded-off with one piece of cybercrime news which is actually sanctions news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to the final episode of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast for 2024 – episode 138 – I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, new designations from the US and UK, and enforcement action against an alleged conspirator. MONEYVAL has been active in its work, publishing reports on Monaco, Croatia and Georgia, while AUSTRAC has been updating its website. Global Anti-Corruption Day has kept the Council of Europe, Transparency International, and OSCE busy this week, but news also comes from the US and UK, where a significant appointment has been made to the role of Anti-Corruption Champion. Other financial crime news comes from Europol, and there is a round-up of cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 137 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, new designations from the US and UK, and Politico asks whether tariffs are the new sanctions. On money laundering, the National Crime Agency in the UK has disrupted a money laundering network supporting Russian oligarchs, while on bribery and corruption it's global organisations leading the way once again with the OECD updating on corruption across five central Asian countries, and in the US McKinsey and Co (Africa) has agreed a DPA. The fraud news considers the launch of an investigation by the Covid-19 Corruption Commissioner in the UK, and news that the World Beekeeping Awards will not award for best honey next year. We finish this week with the usual round-up of cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 136 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, new designations from the UK, EU and US. On money laundering news, AUSTRAC has welcomed the new anti-money laundering law in Australia, while on bribery and corruption news, GRECO has updated on Moldova's progress in combatting corruption. On market abuse, the SEC in the US has reported on the effectiveness of its enforcement action, while in the UK the FCA has issued fines for market abuse offences. SLAPPs are once more the focus of other financial crime news, while the UK government has warned of the cyber threat from Russia.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 135 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, new designations from the UK and US, and new licences from the UK. On money laundering news, MONEYVAL has announced operations relating to Latvia and Armenia, while in bribery and anti-corruption Baseline Reports on Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have been added to the OECD library. On fraud news, a range of events marking International Fraud Awareness Week, and SLAPPs are the focus of other financial crime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 134 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, new designations and legislative changes in the UK, while in the US, there is enforcement action and new designations. On money laundering, the FATF is consulting on revisions to its Recommendations, and MONEYVAL has released its annual report. The bribery and corruption news sees enforcement in the US, and lots of action from pan-national organisations. On fraud news, the Payment Systems Regulator in the UK has written to fraud enablers reminding them of their responsibilities, and FinCEN has issued a deepfake warning. There is also a round-up of other financial crime news this week, as well as a small amount of cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 133 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, enforcement action in the US and UK, and new designations in the UK. On money laundering, a joint statement on illicit finance by Australia and the UK, while on bribery and corruption news, Transparency International highlights the issue of corruption affecting climate change. The fraud news brings a firm date for the coming into force of the failure to prevent fraud offence in the UK, and some worry stats on teenage attitudes to fraud from the Netherlands. There is also a round-up of other financial crime news this week, as well as a small amount of cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 132 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. Another relatively quiet week overall, and I can assure you that is not a complaint. On sanctions, licensing changes in the UK, in addition to further designations, the US targets third-countries aiding Russia in its military action in Ukraine, while the UN raises the issue of sanctions-related justice. On bribery and corruption, the National Anti-Corruption Commission will think again about the robodebt references made to it, while on fraud, the SFO has made changes to fraud reporting. This week's financial crime news ends with a round-up of cybercrime news, where the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation has announced major action against malware attackers.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 131 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. A relatively quiet week overall, which is a good thing for me. Some sanctions movement in the US and UK, while OTSI issues trade sanctions guidance to firms. On money laundering, the FATF has announced the outcomes of its Paris Plenary, and on bribery, the OECD has updated on Austria and Romania. There is a report from Finance UK on the state of fraud for the first half of 2024, and in other financial crime news, 20 finfluencers have been interviewed under caution by the FCA. There is also a brief round-up of cybercrime news this week.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 130 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. Sanctions news has taken centre-stage this week, with the US issuing new designations across the range of usual suspects, while the UK has focussed on human rights abuse sanctions and the Russian oil tanker shadow fleet. On money laundering, the FATF may black list Russia, and has updated its criteria for ‘grey listing'. On bribery and anti-corruption Raytheon has agreed a DPA for fraud and breaches of the FCPA. On market abuse, ESMA has issued a consolidated report on sanctions and measures imposed by National Competent Authorities. There is also a brief round-up of cybercrime news this week.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 129 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. New designations from the US and UK, and the UK marks OTSI being open for business. On money laundering, the FATF publishes MERs on Japan and Kuwait, and TD Bank in the US pleads guilty to money laundering. There is Covid-19 fraud news from the US, and in the UK the CTSI has issued a critical statement concerning the recent reduction of the APP fraud reimbursement limit. In other financial crime news, the SFO has settled one of the civil actions brought against it by ENRC, and on cybercrime, there seems to be an article trend concerning the cyber-safety of CEOs, and critical infrastructure is once more subject to a cyber-attack.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 128 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. After a few relatively quiet weeks, we are back up to the lengthy episodes of the podcast. New designations from the US and UK. On money laundering, the IMF reports on its recent Uganda mission. The fraud news comes with reports on the scale of fraudulent insurance claims in the UK, a guilty plea in a fraud case against a former solicitor, and research from the Social Market Foundation on the scale of the global fraud problem. The SEC in the US has been active against market abuse, and the FCA in the UK has charged two individuals with insider dealing offences. There's more research from the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime on the state of financial crime enforcement collaboration, and there is also a round-up of this week's cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 127 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. Another shorter episode this week, so I think we can all be pleased about that. On sanctions news, new designations from the US and UK, and even a bit of enforcement action from the UK. On money laundering, the FATF has published its MER on India, OPBAS in the UK has published its fifth report on Professional Body Supervisors, while the Egmont Group has suspended Columbia from membership over breach of confidence. On bribery and corruption news, GRECO has published its report on the Republic of Ireland, and the Mayor of NYC has been charged with bribery offences. The fraud news brings confirmation from the UK of the APP fraud reimbursement limit, and there is a range of Covid-19 fraud news. There are some other bits and pieces and a limited bit of cybercrime news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 126 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. After a sequence of lengthy episodes of the podcast, it's nice to have a shorter episode from time-to-time to keep everyone happy. On sanctions, the UK has updated its Iran sanctions regime, and the US has issued a host of new designations for human rights abuses and cyber-crimes. On money laundering news, indications from China that the ruling party is looking to update its anti-money laundering regime to address the risk posed by crypto. On fraud, some Covid-19 fraud from the UK, and the FCA has made a public statement on its anti-fraud approach. Of course, there is also a round-up of cyber-crime news this week.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 125 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, a mass of action from the UK and US. In the UK, action against the shadow fleet carrying Russian oil as part of sanctions evasion, while in the US, sanctions against allies of Venezualan president Maduro have been announced by OFAC. On bribery and corruption, GRECO reports on Kazakhstan, while in the UK Transparency International has revealed the high levels of corruption in Covid-19 PPE contracts. On money laundering in the UK, the first FCA prosecution against the owner of unlawfully operated crypto ATMs, and in Australia, the government has announced reforms to its anti-money laundering regime. There's more Covid-19 fraud from the US and UK, the FBI has published its Cryptocurrency Fraud Report, and Spotlight on Corruption questions whether the National Crime Agency is on its knees. There is also, as usual, a round-up of this week's cyber-attack news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 124 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, the suspension of some export licences to Israel, and the detention of an aircraft believed to belong to the Venezuelan president. On corruption, in Ukraine the first deputy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau has been dismissed, and the former head of Lebanon's Central Bank is under investigation for embezzlement. Much of the money laundering news churns around the FATF, while new AML rules have been agreed in the UAE. On fraud, big news out of the UK with the Financial Ombudsman Service reporting on scam volumes, while the Payment Systems Regulator is consulting (again) on the reimbursement level for APP fraud. In other financial crime news, the Financial Conduct Authority has published a series of annual updates alongside its Annual Report and Accounts, while there is also a round-up of this week's cyber-attack news.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 123 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, the US has made a host of additional designations against Russian individuals and entities. On corruption, there is more out of China and its fight against corruption at all levels of society, and a Report from GRECO on Italy. The money laundering news comes from the US, and also from Nigeria, where the government has made assurances on its strategy for exiting the FATF ‘Grey List'. The fraud news from the UK concerns Covid-19 fraudsters and there is a report from New Zealand concerning reductions in headcount at the Serious Fraud Office. In other financial crime news, a research paper on the future of the UK Serious Fraud Office, and we end with cyber-attack news respecting transportation portals.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 122 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, in the US convictions for sanctions evasion, and further designations, while in Switzerland, there is further alignment between the country and the EU sanctions regime against Russia. On bribery and corruption, a report from the UN on the judicial system in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, new anti-fraud and corruption laws in Hungary, as well as further efforts in Ukraine to clean up its corruption image. The money laundering news comes in the form of a new paper from the FACT Coalition on the subject of Environmental crimes and illicit finance, while fraud news focuses on Covid-19 fraud both in the UK and US. In other financial crime news, the National Crime Agency (‘NCA') has published its National Strategic Assessment 2024, and there is a brief round-up of some of this week's cyber crime news. A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 121 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, designations from the US, and the monthly update from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clear Air on Russian fossil fuel exports. Money laundering news comes from the US where corporate beneficial ownership continues to take the focus of many working across compliance. In other financial crime news, the SFO has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2023 – 2024, while Companies House in the UK has published its Business Plan for 2024 – 2025. There's also a round-up of this week's cyber crime news, with news from the UK and US regarding takedowns of cyber-crime gangs.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

Hello, and welcome to episode 120 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, there is the typical range of designations and updates across the principal sanctions-imposing bodies. On bribery and corruption, more on the ‘tuna bonds' case only this time from the US with a conviction in a criminal action. The money laundering news comes in the shape of output from the Counter ISIS Finance Group. On fraud, from the US action against bank fraudsters, and from the EU, action against investment scammers. The National Crime Agency in the UK has announced the outcome of its action against the wife of former Azerbaijan banker, Jahangir Hajiyev, and news of a possible massive cyber breach in the US. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: Attorney-General's Department, 2024 Australian Dialogue on Bribery and Corruption.BitcoinBlog.de, FATF: Cryptocurrencies continue to be used for terrorism financing.Council of the European Union, Belarus: EU lists further 28 individuals for participation in internal repression.Department for Education, Policy paper: DfE counter-fraud strategy overview: 2024 to 2027.Department of Justice, Six people charged in bank fraud scheme involving an insider sharing account information that caused more than $345,000 in theft.Department of Justice, Six Members of Transnational Fraud Network Indicted for Scheme to Steal Millions from American Consumers' Bank Accounts.Department of Justice, Former Finance Minister of Mozambique Convicted of $2B Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme.Department of State, Reinforcing Sanctions on Former Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes.Department of the Treasury, Counter ISIS Finance Group Leaders Issue Joint Statement.Eurojust, Financial scammers detained following actions coordinated by Eurojust.Europol, Corrupt Spanish lawyer arrested for €4.5 million fishery project bribe in Equatorial Guinea.Financial Action Task Force, Targeted Update on Implementation of the FATF Standards on Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers.Information Commissioner's Office, Provisional decision to impose £6m fine on software provider following 2022 ransomware attack that disrupted NHS and social care services.Insolvency Service, Bedfordshire construction contractor banned as company director after Covid loan abuse.National Crime Agency, Luxury properties forfeited after six year NCA investigation.Norton Rose Fulbright, Financial Crime Spotlight: Money Laundering Controls in the Art Market.Norton Rose Fulbright, Financial Crime Spotlight: Money Laundering Controls in the Gambling Sector.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence: Payments to Local Authorities INT/2023/3781228.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence – East-West United Bank – Insolvency related payments and activities INT/2024/5028385.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence: Permitted Payments to UK Insurance Companies INT/2022/2009156.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Belarus.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Designates Tobacco Company for Supporting Paraguay's Sanctioned Former President.Pinsent Masons, ‘Failure to prevent bribery' offence will soon take effect in Australia.Royal United Services Institute, What's the Point of the Financial Action Task Force Standards?Spotlight on Corruption, NCA forfeits over £17 million in luxury properties from first-ever McMafia order.Student Loan Company, SLC Economic Crime Unit Statement of Intent.Transparency International, Transparency International UK welcomes forfeiture of millions of pounds of assets from Azerbaijan banker, Jahangir Hajiyev.UK Financial Intelligence Unit, SARs Reporter Booklet August 2024. 

Hello, and welcome to episode 119 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. There has been an unusual uptick, certainly for the summer months, in financial crime news this week. On sanctions this week, the NCA secures its first sanctions-related forfeiture, and the EU and US have added to their designations. On bribery and corruption, the SFO in the UK has announced charges against five former executives of Glencore, and the High Court has some tough words regarding the behaviour of professionals and institutions in the ‘tuna bond' action brought by Mozambique. On fraud news, there's more Covid-19 recovery fund abuse from the US, and the imprisonment of a tech scammer. There is also a decent amount of market abuse news from the SEC in the US, and the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, and in other news, the NCA in the UK has announced a new data sharing scheme and the SFO has published its annual report and accounts. There is also a round-up of the cyber-attack news this week. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: Cayman Islands, Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act 2023.Commodities and Futures Trading Commission's Office of Customer Education and Outreach, CFTC Warns Customers to Watch for Follow-on Frauds.Council of the European Union, Sanctions against terrorism: Council renews the EU Terrorist List and designates a new entity.Department of Justice, Caledonia man sentenced for COVID loan fraud.Department of Justice, KC Woman Pleads Guilty to $900,000 Covid Fraud Scheme.Department of Justice, United States v. Andrew Left.Department of Justice, Leader Of Tech Support Fraud Scheme Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison.Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks on New Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program.FinCEN, FinCEN Issues Notice to Financial Institution Customers on Beneficial Ownership Information Requirements.FinCEN, Notice to Customers: Beneficial Ownership Information Reference Guide.Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, The UK Sanctions List: Search Function.Information Commissioner's Office, Reprimand: The Electoral Commission.National Crime Agency, NCA recovers £780,000 in the first UK forfeiture of sanctioned funds.National Crime Agency, Ground breaking public private partnership launched to identify criminality using banking data.National Crime Agency, Cross-System Professional Enablers Strategy 2024-2026.National Crime Agency, NCA shuts down major fraud platform responsible for 1.8 million scam calls.Ocorian, Cayman Islands modernises beneficial ownership regime to align with global standards.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence – Continuation of Business of Evraz Plc's North American Subsidiaries: INT/2022/1710676.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Yemen.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Guidance: OFSI General licence INT/2024/4919848.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets Iranian Missile and UAV Procurement Facilitators.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets Houthi Weapons Procurement Networks.Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC Charges Andrew Left and Citron Capital for $20 Million Fraud Scheme.Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC Charges Founder of Social Media Company “IRL” with $170 Million Fraud.Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, Former banker ordered to disgorge $3 million illegal gains from insider dealing.Serious Fraud Office, Annual Report & Accounts 2023-24 (press release).Serious Fraud Office, Annual Report and Accounts 2023-2024.Serious Fraud Office, SFO charges five former Glencore employees.Spotlight on Corruption, New report finds UK's enforcement of sanctions is “all bark and no bite” (press release).Spotlight on Corruption, All Bark and No Bite: Taking Stock of the UK's Enforcement of Sanctions.UK government, National Crime Agency main estimate memorandum 2024 to 2025.UK judgments, The Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International and Others [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm).

Hello, and welcome to episode 118 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, designations from the US, and extension of existing sanctions from the EU. On bribery and corruption, the anti-corruption body in Zambia is cleared out, and another pressure group gives its two penn'orth on the new Labour government's approach to corruption. The money laundering news comes from the IMF, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and MONEYVAL has published a report on Jersey. There is also a round-up of the cyber-attack news this week. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: Council of the European Union, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Council renews economic sanctions for a further 6 months.Europol, Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA) 2024.Europol, Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA) 2024 (Report).International Monetary Fund, Panama: Financial Sector Assessment Program - Technical Note on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).MONEYVAL, MONEYVAL acknowledges Jersey's progress in improving measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism.MONEYVAL, Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures Jersey: Fifth Round Mutual Evaluation Report.National Crime Agency, NCA infiltrates world's most prolific DDoS-for-hire service.National Cyber Security Centre, "If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it." (Blog post).National Cyber Security Centre, New legislation will help counter the cyber threat to our essential services (Blog post).New Zealand Serious Fraud Office, Phone scam.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, GENERAL LICENCE - Russian Banks – UK subsidiaries – Guernsey subsidiary – EU subsidiaries - Basic needs, routine holding and maintenance, the payment of legal fees and insolvency related payments: INT/2022/1280876.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General licence - INT/2022/1280876.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets PRC-based Procurement Network Supporting DPRK Ballistic Missile and Space Programs.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Implements REPO for Ukrainians Act Reporting Requirement.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Sanctions Rebel Alliance Driving Instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Solicitors Regulation Authority, Annual report by the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for the year ended 5 April 2024 (Annex).Spotlight on Corruption, Thin gruel for anti-corruption campaigners – the new government's King's Speech.UKFIU, SARs in Action: Issue 26.US Department of Justice, Leader of $200 Million Ponzi Scheme Pleads Guilty to Mail and Wire Fraud Conspiracy and Faces 20 Years' Imprisonment. 

Hello, and welcome to episode 117 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions this week, designations from the US, and extension of existing sanctions from the EU. On bribery and corruption, the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition has published its post-election agenda, urging the new Labour government to take action across a range of areas. On money laundering, the Financial Conduct Authority has PEPs and their treatment by financial institutions in its sights. There is also a round-up of the cyber-attack news this week. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: Council of the European Union, Extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as violent activists, blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza: five individuals and three entities sanctioned under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.Council of the European Union, Iran: Council prolongs EU restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and for armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.Financial Conduct Authority, FCA calls on firms to improve treatment of politically exposed persons (PEPs).Financial Conduct Authority, Review: The treatment of politically exposed persons.Financial Conduct Authority, GC24/4: Proposed amendments to Guidance on the treatment of politically exposed persons.Financial Conduct Authority, Court sets dates for ‘finfluencer' trials.Financial Conduct Authority, Three charged over CFD trading pension fraud.National Cyber Security Centre, Cyber Essentials 'Pathways': From experiment to proof of concept.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Guidance: UK Financial Sanctions FAQs.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Maintains Pressure on Houthi Illicit Shipping and Finance Schemes.Royal United Services Institute, Sanctions and the Next Financial Crisis.UK Anti-Corruption Coalition, Time to ramp up the fight against corruption.UK House of Commons Library, Sanctions against countries supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.US Department of Justice, Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Participating in LockBit Ransomware Group.US Department of State, United States Imposes Sanctions Targeting Iran's Chemical Weapons Research and Development.US Department of the Treasury, Treasury and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council Publish New Resources on Effective Practices for Secure Cloud Adoption. 

Hello, and welcome to episode 116 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. Money laundering takes centre stage again this week with stories from Europe and the UK. On fraud news, a range of actions from the European Public Prosecutor's Office across Romania, Malta, and Italy. The sanctions news has new designations from the US and Switzerland, and the UK has updated sanctions guidance for a number of countries. There is also a round-up of the cyber-attack news this week. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: AUSTRAC, Spotlight on our work with international partners.AUSTRAC, Discover purpose behind the Fintel alliance.Bank of England, A multi-tool for cross-border payments: the power of Legal Entity Identifiers − speech by Victoria Cleland.Commonwealth, New Commonwealth model law to help countries regulate virtual assets.Council of Europe, Georgia: anti-corruption body calls for stronger oversight and accountability in top executive functions and the police.Council of Europe, Fifth Round Evaluation: Georgia.Delegation of the European Union to Namibia, EU supports Namibia to tackle money laundering, terrorist financing and related crimes.Eurojust, Eurojust supports searches into bribery and money laundering.European Public Prosecutor's Office, Romania: Three individuals and five companies indicted for €1 million fraud involving IT project.European Public Prosecutor's Office, Malta: Eleven charged in investigation into customs fraud and corruption of public officials.European Public Prosecutor's Office, Italy: EPPO seizes assets in €1.3 million fraud and money laundering investigation.Europol, French and Spanish authorities crack down on Chinese money laundering gang.Financial Action Task Force, Public Consultation on Recommendation 16 on Payment Transparency.Financial Action Task Force, Targeted Update on Implementation of the FATF Standards on Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers.Financial Conduct Authority, Quarterly Consultation CP24/11 No 44.National Crime Agency, National Crime Agency leads international operation to degrade illegal versions of Cobalt Strike.National Cyber Security Centre, The NCSC and partners issue alert about evolving techniques used by China state-sponsored cyber attackers.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Cyber-related Designation Removal; Russia-related Designation Removal; Issuance of Venezuela General License 40C.Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE Facilitates Training Course on Investigation of Corruption in Chisinau.The Federal Council, Ukraine: Switzerland adopts further sanctions against Russia.UK government, Zimbabwe sanctions guidance.UK government, Venezuela sanctions guidance. UK government, Guinea-Bissau sanctions guidance.UK government, Bosnia and Herzegovina sanctions guidance.UK government, Nicaragua sanctions guidance.UK government, Global Anti-corruption sanctions guidance.UK government, Global Human Rights sanctions guidance.United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Bribery becoming less accepted in Nigeria, says new report on corruption patterns and trends in the country.United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends.US Department of State, Sanctions on Individuals and Entities Contributing to Violence and Instability in the West Bank.  

Hello, and welcome to episode 115 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. Money laundering takes centre stage this week with Singapore announcing updates to National Risk Assessments (‘NRAs'), and the FATF announcing public consultation on its NRAs. The fall-out from the FATF Singapore Plenary last week with a response from South Africa respecting its timetable for removal from the ‘Grey List'. On sanctions, here is the usual mix of updates to designations and licences, and on bribery and anti-corruption an update on Andorra from GRECO. We then end with a round-up of the cyber-attack news this week. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: Council of Europe, Andorra: GRECO report on preventing corruption in top executive functions and the police.Department of Justice, Vice President of Kansas Company Pleads Guilty to Crimes Related to Scheme to Illegally Export U.S. Avionics Equipment to Russia and Russian End Users.EU Directorate-General for Trade, EU protects sanctions against Russian and Belarussian investors under Energy Charter Treaty.European Banking Authority, The EBA issues ‘travel rule' guidance to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing in transfers of funds and crypto assets.European Commission, EU further extends the scope of sanctions on Belarus to fight circumvention.European Council, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU lists two individuals and four entities for circumventing EU sanctions and materially supporting the Russian government.European Council, Belarus' involvement in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: new EU restrictive measures target trade, services, transport and anti-circumvention.European Securities and Markets Authority, New MiCA rules increase transparency for retail investors.Federal Bureau of Investigation, Private Industry Notification: Expansion of US Renewable Energy Industry Increases Risk of Targeting by Malicious Cyber Actors.Federal Register, Reimposing Certain Sanctions with Respect to Iran.Financial Action Task Force, Public consultation on FATF Money Laundering National Risk Assessment Guidance Update.Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, ICAEW joins forces with the International Federation of Accountants and the Basel Institute to offer anti-corruption guidance for accountants.Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore Refreshes the Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment and National Strategy for Countering the Financing of Terrorism.National Health Service, Update on cyber incident: Clinical impact in south east London – Thursday 4 July.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General licences - INT/2024/4423849, INT/2023/3074680, INT/2022/2470156 and INT/2022/2470056.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence – Sale, divestment and transfer of financial instruments held by the National Settlement Depository and payment of safe keeping fees to the National Settlement Depository INT/2024/4919848.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence: Payments for Visa Application Services INT/2024/4907888.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Guidance: Russian Oil Services ban.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence – Oil Price Cap: Exempt Projects and Countries INT/2022/2470156.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence: Payments to Revenue Authorities INT/2024/4881897.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Sanctions Mexico- and China-Based Money Launderers Linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.South African Government, Treasury on Financial Action Task Force greylisting.The Wolfsberg Group, The Wolfsberg Group Statement on Effective Monitoring for Suspicious Activity.The Wolfsberg Group, The Wolfsberg Group Statement on Effective Monitoring for Suspicious Activity (Document).US Department of State, Imposing Sanctions on Entities and Vessels Trading in Iranian Petroleum or Petrochemical Products.US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Financial Action Task Force Identifies Jurisdictions with Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and Counter-Proliferation Finance Deficiencies. 

Hello, and welcome to episode 114 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. A quieter than typical week this week, but there will be no complaints from me about that. A range of sanctions designations, including of those allies to the Kaspersky software provision. In the first bit of news respecting Turkey this week, the OECD has reported on Turkey's anti-foreign bribery enforcement, while on money laundering, the big news is the FATF Singapore Plenary, at which Turkey's fate and place on the ‘Grey List' was finally announced. There are a couple of fraud stories, and a brief cyber-attack news. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: Council of Europe, 14th package of sanctions on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU lists additional 69 individuals and 47 entities.Council of Europe, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: comprehensive EU's 14th package of sanctions cracks down on circumvention and adopts energy measures.Council of Europe, Cyber-attacks: six persons added to EU sanctions list for malicious cyber activities against EU member states and Ukraine.Eurojust, Eurojust leads efforts to step up judicial response to money laundering and asset recovery.European Banking Authority, The EBA welcomes the entry into force of the framework establishing the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism authority.European Commission, EU adopts 14th package of sanctions against Russia for its continued illegal war against Ukraine, strengthening enforcement and anti-circumvention measures.Financial Action Task Force, Vietnam's progress in strengthening measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing.Financial Action Task Force, Palau's progress in strengthening measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing.Financial Action Task Force, Outcomes FATF Plenary, 26-28 June 2024.Financial Action Task Force, Women in FATF and the Global Network.Financial Conduct Authority, Teamwork: A Smart way to tackle financial crime.Government of Singapore, Singapore Publishes National Asset Recovery Strategy.Information Commissioner's Office, Blog: Addressing concerns on the use of AI by local authorities.Interpol, USD 257 million seized in global police crackdown against online scams.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Russia.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Russia.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General licence - INT/2023/2711256.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence: Payments for Statutory Audits INT/2024/4888228.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Sanctions Kaspersky Lab Leadership in Response to Continued Cybersecurity Risks.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets Shadow Banking Network Moving Billions for Iran's Military.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Counter Terrorism and Iran-related Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations Removals (Specially Designated Nationals List Update).Official Journal of the European Union, Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1779 of 24 June 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyberattacks threatening the Union or its Member States.Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Türkiye's foreign bribery enforcement remains poor and needs urgent overhaul despite some legislative improvements, says OECD Working Group on Bribery.Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE hosts panel discussion on asset recovery at the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius.Spotlight on Corruption, The unfinished business of accountability for Glencore's corruption.The Guardian, DWP algorithm wrongly flags 200,000 people for possible fraud and error.Transparency International, Seven Steps to Restore Trust in the Political Class.United Nations Development Programme, Prime Minister Launches Revised National Anti-Corruption Strategy for Solomon Islands.US Department of Industry and Security, Commerce Department Prohibits Russian Kaspersky Software for U.S. Customers. 

Hello, and welcome to episode 113 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. Another exceptionally busy week for financial crime this week. In the EU, the 14th package of sanctions against Russia has been agreed, while there are further designations by the UK, US, and Canada. In the UK, there are more releases of submissions to the Treasury's review of the Money Laundering Regulations, and Hungary and Gibraltar get their money laundering follow-up reports from MONEYVAL. The market abuse comes from the UK, with an update on the charges against the finfluencers, and fines from the Swedish and US authorities against a market and a trading company. There is also a round-up of the cyber-attack news this week. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: AUSTRAC, Welcome to our refreshed website.Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, May 2024 — Monthly analysis of Russian fossil fuel exports and sanctions.Check Point Research, Threat Intelligence Report.Commodities and Futures Trading Commission, CFTC Orders Trafigura to Pay $55 Million for Fraud, Manipulation and Impeding Communications with the CFTC.Financial Conduct Authority, 'Finfluencers' charged for promoting unauthorised trading scheme.Financial Conduct Authority, Update on the FCA's review of treatment of Politically Exposed Persons.Finansinspektionen, Nasdaq Stockholm receives a remark and an administrative fine.FINMA, FINMA proceedings: HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA violated money laundering regulations.Francine Pickup, Corruption is criminal, immoral, and the ultimate betrayal of public trust.Government of Canada, Canada announces additional sanctions against Russian government for its responsibility in death of Alexei Navalny.Ministry of Finance, Singapore Publishes Updated Money Laundering National Risk Assessment.Ministry of Finance, Money Laundering Risk Assessment Report 2024.MONEYVAL, Gibraltar improves compliance with international agreements on money laundering and terrorist financing.MONEYVAL, Hungary improves its measures in relation to virtual assets and virtual assets service providers.OECD, The OECD Working Group on Bribery announces new Chair.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, General Licence - Payments to the FCA INT/2024/4836676.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets Houthi Weapons Procurement and Funding Networks.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets Milorad Dodik's Network of Wealth Generating Companies, Including Prointer.Official Journal of the European Union, Regulation on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing ((EU) 2024/1624) (AML Regulation).Official Journal of the European Union, Regulation establishing the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) ((EU) 2024/1620) (AMLA Regulation).Official Journal of the European Union, Sixth Money Laundering Directive ((EU) 2024/1640) (MLD6).S&P Global, Russia's shadow fleet − Formation, operation and continued risks for sanctions compliance teams.Spotlight on Corruption, Spotlight on Corruption's submission to HM Treasury's consultation: ‘Improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations'.Starling Bank, Annual Report and Accounts 2024.The White House, Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Global Effort to Strengthen the Cybersecurity of Energy Supply Chains.US Department of Energy, Supply Chain Cybersecurity Principles.Wolfsberg Group, Wolfsberg Response to the MLRs Consultation (press release).Wolfsberg Group, Consultation on Improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations (Submission).

Hello, and welcome to episode 112 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. I fear that things are getting busy again, as this week is typical of so many recent weeks for this podcast in that there is a wealth of news. The sanctions news comes in the form of a host of stories concerning oil exports from both Iran and Russia, with the latter being the subject of an investigation into possible sanctions evasion in relation to the oil price cap. On fraud news, action taken across the European Union against fraudsters abusing EU funds and citizens by an old-fashioned Ponzi scheme. On money laundering news, in the UK, two bodies have published their submissions to HM Treasury's consultation on the Money Laundering Regulations. In other news, the European Union Innovation Hub for Internal Security, with assistance from Europol and others, has published its first report on encryption, and finally, there is a round-up of the cyber-attack news this week. As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are: Association for Financial Markets in Europe, Consultation Response: AFME response to HM Treasury's consultation on improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations.Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology, CFIT Forms Industry Coalition – ‘Fighting Economic Crime Through Enhanced Verification'.Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, War profiteering: Eight UK-insured tankers violate price cap, boosting Kremlin revenues by GBP 87 mn.Chartered Institute of Taxation, Improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations Response by the Chartered Institute of Taxation.Eurojust, Eurojust supports authorities in dismantling EUR 113 million fraudulent investment scheme.European Public Prosecutor's Office, EPPO conducts searches in Romania and Spain in probe into €10 million fraud.European Public Prosecutor's Office, Italy: EPPO arrests a third suspect in investigation into €50 million VAT fraud.European Union Innovation Hub for Internal Security, First Report on Encryption.Europol, First Report on Encryption.HM Treasury, Improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Myanmar.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Guidance: Financial sanctions, Myanmar.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Russia.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Russia.Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Guidance: Who is subject to financial sanctions in the UK?Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Personal Staff Payments Licensing Guidance.Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets Companies and Vessels Behind Illicit Houthi Shipments.Office of Foreign Assets Control, As Russia Completes Transition to a Full War Economy, Treasury Takes Sweeping Aim at Foundational Financial Infrastructure and Access to Third Country Support.Royal United Services Institute, Weaponisation of the FATF Standards: A Guide for Global Civil Society.Royal United Services Institute, Suppression Laundering: Using FATF as a Fig Leaf to Target Civil Society (Policy Brief).Royal United Services Institute, Weaponisation of the FATF Standards: A Guide for Global Civil Society (publication).The White House, Bilateral Security Agreement Between the United States of America and Ukraine.UK Government, New UK sanctions to crack down on Putin's war machine.US Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce Announces Additional Export Restrictions to Counter Russian Aggression.US Department of Justice, Two Individuals Sentenced to Prison in Connection With $7.5 Million Multi-State PPP Fraud Scheme.US Department of Justice, Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Sell Sanctioned Iranian Petroleum to China.US Department of Justice, Founder and Former CEO of Artificial Intelligence Company Charged with Securities Fraud.US Department of State, Imposing Sanctions on Corrupt Actors in Guyana.US Department of State, Taking Additional Measures to Degrade Russia's Wartime Economy.US Government Accountability Office, What are the Biggest Challenges to Federal Cybersecurity? (High Risk Update).World Economic Forum, Paris Olympics 2024: Cybersecurity experts sound the alarm on cyber threats.