FinCEN alerts FIs that the IRGC exploits illicit oil trade, shell companies, shadow fleets, and crypto channels to launder funds and evade sanctions, urging heightened vigilance in detection and reporting

The alert outlines typologies linked to illicit Iranian oil sales, including ship-to-ship transfers, falsified shipping documentation, exchange house networks, shell companies, and the use of digital assets and stablecoins to move funds across jurisdictions. FinCEN also provides detailed red flag indicators and urges enhanced due diligence on high-risk sectors such as maritime shipping, petroleum trading, money services, and virtual asset activity to strengthen AML/CFT and sanctions compliance controls…