Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Welcome to episode 270 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK amends its Russia sanctions list with administrative variations and corrections for three individuals, while OFAC designates individuals and entities associated with Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood financial networks. Concurrently, the European Union adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia, expanding them across all fronts. Finally, in economic crime developments, a University of Manchester study published in the Journal of Economic Criminology examines the National Economic Crime Centre, highlighting how systemic tensions, digital infrastructure gaps, and multi-agency resource constraints continue to hamper the UK's coordinated response to financial crime.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 269 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, there are major global developments across sanctions, money laundering, fraud, regulatory enforcement, and cyber security. In sanctions developments, OFAC clarified deposit requirements for Venezuelan earthquake relief, OFSI has updated its basic needs licensing guidance, and the EU has designated Russia's ABS Electro Group. On money laundering, the FATF has issued a targeted update warning of criminal exploitation of virtual assets, while on fraud, a businesswoman has been sentenced for pandemic loan fraud, and a major overhaul of the UK's fraud prosecution system is urged. In Europe, BaFin has fined TeamViewer SE €240,000 for delayed cyberattack disclosure, and the European Commission published its seventh annual Rule of Law Report. The Serious Fraud Office in the UK has released its 2025-26 annual accounts highlighting operational and asset recovery milestones, and the Prudential Regulation Authority has fined HDI Global SE £4,165,000 for inaccurate data reporting. Finally, the BIS has warned of the asymmetric cyber threats posed by autonomous frontier AI models to the global financial system.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 268 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the United Nations Security Council has blacklisted two entities and six armed group commanders operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while the US Treasury designated over 50 targets and shipping vessels linked to the multi-jurisdictional oil network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. Money laundering enforcement saw the US Department of Justice prosecute a $43 million Chinese "pig butchering" scam network and sentence two former TD Bank insiders for taking bribes to open fraudulent accounts, as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released a report warning of sophisticated criminal exploitation of virtual assets, decentralised finance (DeFi), and proprietary stablecoins. In fraud developments, US federal courts sentenced individuals across three unrelated government contracting, scrap metal, and COVID-19 tax credit schemes, while the UK's National Crime Agency secured convictions in a pandemic nitrile glove procurement fraud and collaborated with Nigerian authorities to arrest six celebrity-impersonating scammers. Finally, United Nations agencies are supporting anti-corruption programmes in Haiti and Kyrgyzstan through school integrity clubs and digital public sector solutions, as global authorities deploy coordinated indictments and prison terms, including cyberattack sentences for members of the "Scattered Spider" collective, to disrupt resilient cybercrime infrastructure and state-backed networks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay. 

Welcome to episode 267 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, there is significant global enforcement actions, regulatory updates, and compliance developments. In sanctions enforcement, the US has targeted Iranian financial networks, blocked state-owned Cuban entities, and made cyber designations. Concurrently, the UK expanded its sanctions to target Russian GRU officers, cybercriminals operating the "Lumma Stealer" malware, and staff of the Rybar media company, while also freezing Iranian-linked groups, and modifying sanctions for those with Russian ties. The UK has also extended the operation of a licence for sanctioned brokerages, while a study examines Russian fossil fuel exports. In other news from the UK, the three financial regulators have initiated joint supervisory oversight of major cloud infrastructure providers. In the US, there is the conviction of a Massachusetts man for illegally exporting sensitive dual-use microelectronics to Iran, the unsealing of a US indictment against three Russian nationals, and a guilty plea of a former media company Chief Financial Officer. Finally, the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry report details approximately £10 billion in wasted PPE procurement and alleged favouritism in the VIP supply lanes.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 266 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, global developments in sanctions enforcement, regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and cyber security policy. On sanctions, OFAC provides clarification on Russian sanctions, and starts the process to lift Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. In the UK, HMRC reports recovering over £4.2 billion from tax fraud and trade sanctions breaches in its latest annual notes. Under regulatory developments, the Financial Action Task Force has published a global review on the successes and barriers in anti-money laundering coalitions, while MONEYVAL has urged Armenia to strengthen its money laundering prosecutions. In fraud enforcement, a former Puerto Rico private equity fund manager has been indicted for alleged embezzlement, and INTERPOL makes arrests and intercepts millions in illicit assets. On market abuse, the FCA has intensified its crackdown on market abuse and social media "finfluencers". While on bribery and corruption, the OECD warns on Türkiye's persistent anti-bribery failures, alongside warnings from anti-corruption analysts on the proposed revival of the UK's investor visa scheme. Finally, a UK Treasury study challenges corporate boards to reframe cyber resilience.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 265 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, significant global developments in sanctions enforcement, regulatory assessments, and the evolving technological landscape of financial crime. In sanctions enforcement, both the European Union and the United Kingdom implemented restrictive measures targeting Russian military scientists and entities linked to chemical weapons, while the UK also amended its Russia sanctions registry and extended a maritime insurance wind-down licence. On the regulatory front, Australia's AUSTRAC entered into an enforceable undertaking with online bookmaker bet365, while MONEYVAL released compliance reports urging Slovenia to reinforce its money laundering prosecutions and noting Romania's progress under an enhanced follow-up process. Judicial and anti-corruption developments include a 27-month U.S. prison sentence for an insider trading scheme involving a securities filing agent, an OECD review of Latvia's foreign bribery enforcement, and UK case studies highlighting systemic legal hurdles in international bribery and civil asset recovery actions. Finally, authorities and industry experts are warning of rapid technological threats, marked by regulatory warnings on the cyber and fraud risks of advanced AI models, the launch of the UK's corporate Cyber Resilience Pledge, and the discovery of the first fully autonomous, AI-driven ransomware attack.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 264 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, coordinated international enforcement actions, strategic regulatory frameworks, and high-level institutional transitions highlight this week's global efforts to combat illicit finance. The United States Department of the Treasury designated a Brazilian financial network for allegedly laundering over $30 million in drug proceeds using cryptocurrency, while also issuing its annual filing reminder for blocked property. In Europe, the European Data Protection Board and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority began drafting joint guidelines to govern information sharing across the financial sector. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom assumed leadership of the Financial Action Task Force under Giles Thomson, who launched a dedicated roadmap to address global fraud, and the UK Trade Remedies Authority declined to disclose cyber breach data to prevent exploitation by threat actors. Finally, the week's domestic and developmental highlights include federal prison sentences for four individuals involved in a public corruption scheme in South Carolina, alongside a United Nations Development Programme analysis connecting national cybersecurity commitments to measurable GDP per capita growth.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 263 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, International regulatory and enforcement bodies are intensifying their focus on illicit finance, marked this week by coordinated US sanctions targeting Sudanese procurement networks and cartel-linked fuel smuggling, alongside the UK's landmark public settlement with Petrofac Facilities Management. In digital finance, the Financial Action Task Force is warning that messaging and streaming apps are increasingly exploited for terrorist financing, while the Council of Europe coordinates specialised training to trace crypto-assets in Malta and Moldova. Institutional integrity remains a critical theme as GRECO highlights a persistent compliance gap among Europe's top political leaders, and the UK and Germany commit new funding to Ukraine's anti-corruption initiatives. Finally, the week's domestic developments include federal sports bribery indictments against former NBA players, a major statutory overhaul of the UK's criminal confiscation regime, and a public campaign addressing underreported ransomware attacks on small businesses.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 262 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, global law enforcement and financial watchdogs are increasing pressure on illicit networks, led by "Operation Endgame," which is a coordinated international sweep which successfully disrupted critical infrastructure supporting major malware distribution networks. In the United States, federal authorities have announced enforcement measures, including charges in a $1.2 billion Arizona healthcare fraud scheme and key prosecutions targeting corporate insider trading. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is deploying newly expanded civil enforcement windows in an effort to recover billions of pounds lost to pandemic-era fraud. Finally, the Financial Action Task Force is preparing to launch its new 2026–2028 anti-fraud roadmap to foster international collaboration and combat emerging digital financial threats.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 261 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, there is the formalisation of joint operational priorities between Europol and INTERPOL, alongside concerted efforts by the US and UK to harmonise their respective sanctions regimes. The Financial Action Task Force has also revised global standards to protect humanitarian aid, and published the outcomes of its Plenary. There is a story respecting the conviction of cyber-attackers on the London transport network, and the jailing of a director for pandemic-related fraud. Finally, there is a rare advisory from the Five Eyes alliance regarding the imminent arrival of advanced AI models capable of launching high-impact cyber offensives.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 260 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, a ship's captain is charged for allegedly breaching Russian sanctions, and there are the US Treasury's latest designations against Hizballah-linked officials. In the UK, Nigeria's former oil minister has been acquitted in a bribery case, while the High Court has imposed reporting restrictions in the Entain civil litigation. Furthermore, the episode covers new enforcement data highlighting a lack of prosecutions against professional enablers, and a warning from the NCSC regarding state-sponsored cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure. Finally, we discuss the growing "protection gap" in cyber insurance, and the rise of the converged criminal economy where digital fraud increasingly intersects with real-world exploitation.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 259 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK announces the conviction of an international arms-trafficking network, and the European Union announces its latest sanctions package targeting Russia's "shadow fleet" and military-industrial capacity. UK Finance publishes a report designating the country's £1.3 billion fraud losses as a national security threat, and there is a surge in UK company strike-offs following the introduction of mandatory identity checks. High-ranking Virgin Islands officials have been sentenced for procurement fraud, and there is a four-year jail term for a director involved in a £3 million property insolvency scheme. Finally, the FCA has proposed an overhaul of its penalty regime to include inflation-adjusted fines, and the World Economic Forum warns of the emerging AI arms race as hackers increasingly move toward exploiting generative technologies to bypass traditional security.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 258 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, new US sanctions targeting Iranian military procurement networks and Cuba's state-owned oil company, alongside a High Court ruling clarifying the scope of UK sanctions and contractual obligations. Europol has dismantled a €336 million cryptocurrency laundering service and the sentencing of a bank employee for laundering narcotics proceeds, as well as Haiti's launch of specialised judicial poles to tackle systemic corruption. Additionally, the episode covers a proposed overhaul of the UK's AML supervision framework and the launch of a £75 million national PoliceAI centre intended to accelerate complex criminal investigations. Finally, we discuss the FCA's intervention in a securities firm insolvency, and new ICO guidance regarding data protection expectations for the smart device industry.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 257 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US designates a shadow fleet network moving Iranian petroleum through front companies, and the European Union announces its 21st sanctions package against Russia. There is a $21.3 million settlement for contract fraud, alongside a prison sentence for a $100 million international investment scheme. We also look at the FCA's £452,000 confiscation order against a Ponzi operator, and the latest High Court intervention concerning a €2.5 million cryptocurrency fraud. Finally, US Senator Elizabeth Warren warns on AI-driven threats to the financial sector, and a NATO cyber simulation which tested responses to a Russia-style adversary.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to this special edition of the financial crime weekly podcast.If you've been paying attention to the news this week, or at any time in the last two years, you can't have failed to notice the cybersecurity landscape has officially crossed a terrifying new threshold. Google's Threat Intelligence Group released a report confirming that generative AI has moved from a shiny new toy to a routine weapon for cybercriminals and nation-state actors.For the very first time, researchers caught hackers using artificial intelligence to discover and weaponise a zero-day exploit, successfully bypassing two-factor authentication in a mass exploitation attempt. With AI-driven bot attacks surging from 2 million to a staggering 25 million incidents globally over the last year, the reality is clear: the bad guys are using AI to scale their attacks faster than humanly possible.So, how do we fight back? We have to fight fire with fire.To help us understand how the good guys are weaponising AI for defence, I'm thrilled to welcome Pedro Bizarro to the show. Pedro is the Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Feedzai, a global leader in AI-driven fraud prevention and financial risk management. A true pioneer in the space, Pedro transitioned from a decade-long research career, armed with a Computer Science PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to building out Feedzai's industry-leading RiskOps platform. He holds over 90 patent applications and has authored more than 100 scientific publications. Pedro, it is a critical time for this conversation….

Welcome to episode 256 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, an Iran-based tech executive is arrested for alleged procurement of U.S. equipment for military sectors, and the results of "Disruption Week" have been published. In the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service has published its 2030 strategy, while in Sri Lanka there is a nationwide campaign to boost financial literacy against evolving scams. We also look at the ICO's £118,000 confiscation order in a data-theft case and reports of a $20 million payment by a prominent law firm to halt a data breach. Finally, the Bank of England warns of AI-driven vulnerabilities in banking systems.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 255 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the U.S. Treasury has modernised its sanctions lists, and settled with FTI Consulting for dealings in prohibited Russian debt. In the UK, the Public Accounts Committee reports on the Ministry of Defence fraud risk, and the government warns offshore financial hubs about transparency. We also look at the entry into force of the EU's harmonised Anti−Corruption Directive and a $21 million market manipulation conviction against a prominent activist short seller.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1' by BenKirb from Pixabay.

Welcome to episode 254 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the expansion of US sanctions against Iran, and a FCA report flagging systemic weaknesses in the management of £37 billion in frozen assets. There is a new international framework between major economies and tech firms to address online fraud, as well as OECD data showing that coordinated settlements have secured over $33 billion in bribery sanctions. The episode also covers the insider-trading complaint against a Google engineer for exploiting search data and GCHQ's warning on the technological window against global adversaries and the compliance challenges posed by a patchwork of international cybersecurity regulations.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 253 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK imposes sanctions targeting Russian evasion networks, and the US designates Lebanese officials linked to Hizballah. From the UK, a report is published highlighting the estimated £325 billion in illicit funds which move through the UK annually, and the dismissal of a "circular" fraud defence in the billion-dollar Privatbank case. In US fraud news, a 500-month sentence for a non-profit founder, and a 12-year prison term for a multinational firm owner involved in a $2 billion fraud scheme. In Australia the anti-corruption chief has resigned, and the FDIC has proposed compliance standards for stablecoin issuers. Finally, we discuss Europol's tracing of millions in criminal assets across 31 countries, and the new UK-Australia partnership addressing AI-driven cyber threats.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

Welcome to episode 252 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury lifts sanctions on a UN expert following a free-speech ruling, and there is a designation of Sinaloa Cartel networks. A former investment company CEO has been sentenced for breaching an SFO restraint order, alongside multiple enforcement actions related to COVID-19 relief fraud in the UK and US. Furthermore, federal bribery charges are brought against military contractors, and there is news of a global dismantling of a cybercriminal VPN service. Finally, the UK's Companies House has published a new business plan, and news of the EU's latest anti-corruption directive.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

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.