Spotting suspicious activity in the arts and antiquities markets
Fine art is used by launderers and terrorists to move billions of dollars of illicit cash every year. As regulators look to clamp down, Paula Krulicki outlines some of the key warning signs for Anti Money Laundering compliance teams to be aware of
Hungarian authorities dismantle €8million VAT ‘invoice mills’ fraud scheme
An organised criminal group that used “missing traders” to fraudulent claim €8.2million has been dismantled by the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration, Europol announced yesterday.
Ernst & Young drops appeal against $10.8m penalty to laundering whistleblower
Ernst & Young (EY) has dropped its appeal against the United Kingdom’s High Court awarding former partner and whistleblower Amjad Rihan $10.8m (€9.08m) in compensation.
Online gaming association calls for ‘decisive action” in money laundering investigations in Malta
An association of iGaming companies based in Malta has called for “clear and decisive action” to hold money launderers in the industry accountable following a series of scandals in recent weeks.
UK solicitors watchdog warns of real estate vendor fraud trend
A solicitors’ watchdog in the United Kingdom has alerted law enforcement bodies to a trend in real estate vendor fraud, in which homes are sold without the knowledge of the owners.
Online gambling firm fined £3.4million for AML shortcomings and breaching license conditions
Online gambling firm Intouch Games has been fined £3.4million in the United Kingdom after breaching anti money laundering (AML) rul
US man admits $5.5 million Covid-relief loan scheme fraud
A Washington man has pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering in a scheme to obtain $5.5 million from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and hide the proceeds.
Is there such thing as ‘cryptocurrency crime’?
Nick Furneaux is a world-renowned cryptocurrency forensic expert and a crypto-investigation trainer for law enforcement agencies and major businesses. Ahead of his presentation to FinCrime World Forum next week, he tells us why he doesn’t believe there is such thing as ‘cryptocurrency crime’.
FATF and Egmont Group identify 35 risk factors for TBML
A new report has outlined 35 risk factors of Trade-Based Money Laundering that compliance teams are urged to take into account when trying to identify suspicious activity.
The challenges of tackling modern slavery
Ahead of his session at FinCrime World Forum Andrew Wallis OBE explains the drivers behind modern slavery in the UK and what governments and businesses should do to help tackle the problem
Swedish police fear Covid-19 gambling rules could spark money laundering rise
Money laundering could rise in Sweden’s gambling sector this year because of increased use of unlicenced gaming companies, the country’s financial police have warned in a report.
Ukrainian oligarch and former governor sanctioned over alleged corruption
The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has sanctioned Ukrainian oligarch and former governor Ihor Kolomoyskyy, who has business interests in the United States, over alleged corruption
DEA warns of rise in illicit drug money laundering through virtual currency ATMs
Virtual currency ATMs are increasingly being used to launder illicit drug proceeds, a federal agency in the United States has warned.
Cryptocurrency fraudster pleads guilty to money laundering and $16m fraud
Swedish national Roger Nils-Jonas Karlsson is facing up to 20 years in jail in the US after admitting defrauding 3,500-plus people of more than $16m (€13m).
McAfee hits back after being charged with fraud and money laundering conspiracy over cryptocurrency promotion
The anti-virus software pioneer John McAfee has hit out after being charged with fraud and money laundering crimes in the United States.
Two charged with bribery and laundering over plan that ‘generated $65m in profit’ through Ecuador pension scheme
Two men have been charged in the United States for their role in a bribery and laundering scheme to make illegal profits from a public police pension scheme (ISSPOL) in Ecuador
UAE’s AML journey: radical change or more of the same?
The United Arab Emirates has long been a magnet for illicit funds, for a whole host of often deep-rooted economic, historical, geographical and cultural reasons. But with the Financial Action Task Force calling for urgent action, the Gulf state has recently shown signs of flexing its regulatory muscles, but can it really adequately tackle financial crime?
Authorities shut down trafficking and laundering network that made profit of €14 million
Law enforcement agencies have dismantled a cross-border human trafficking and laundering ring, raiding properties and arresting 38 suspects in France, Romania and Moldova.
Blaming company formation agents misses the bigger picture about AML in the UK
The National Crime Agency is planning a crack down on company formation agents as part of an AML drive. However, John Binns argues the problems are due to more significant holes in the UK’s financial crime safety net
Former Europol director to kick off two days of debate at FinCrime World Forum
Sir Rob Wainwright will kick off two days of debate, insight and virtual networking at the FinCrime World Forum next month.
How your bank can protect a herd of elephants in Botswana’s Okavango Delta
Erik Stretz outlines what Europe’s banks must do to help fight the illicit trade of wildlife
Cash payments to UK universities raise money laundering concerns
Financial crime experts have raised concern about the number of universities in the UK which accept cash payments from students from countries with high money-laundering risks.
DeFi brings risks and opportunities for AML
Cyber fraud and money laundering involving Decentralised Finance (DeFi) is on the rise. Here Marcus Rickard looks at the risks DeFi creates for AML compliance, the consequences of those risks for AML compliance officers, how the risks can be mitigated and the potential benefits DeFi brings
270 service deposit addresses ‘account for 55% of all cryptocurrency money laundering globally’
Law enforcement could signficantly hamper cybercriminals’ ability to convert cryptocurrency into cash by identifying and prosecuting the owners of the “surprisingly small” number of deposit address service providers responsible, according to a report.
“Fishrot Files” corruption and laundering probe into Norway’s largest bank DNB dropped
Norway’s largest bank DNB has announced it is no longer being investigated by the country’s financial crime watchdog over alleged links to bribery and money laundering
