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FinCEN issues alert about fraud schemes abusing its name, insignia, and tools, including scams tied to beneficial ownership reporting

The alert offers guidance to avoid these schemes, red flag indicators for financial institutions, and reporting channels for victims, emphasizing vigilance and fraud prevention as FinCEN’s AML/CFT priority…

 

 

FinCEN joins Federal Financial Regulatory Agencies in issuing a Statement on risk management and other practices to combat elder financial exploitation

A recent study estimates that elder financial exploitation results in annual losses of $28.3 billion in the U.S. The 2024 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment links it to over $3 billion in annual financial losses. FinCEN’s review of BSA data found 155,415 reports of elder exploitation between June 2022 and June 2023, associated with over $27 billion in suspicious activity. Beyond financial losses, elder exploitation also increases reputational, operational, compliance, and other risks for institutions…

FBI warns that criminals are using generative AI to enhance fraud schemes, making them more believable and harder to detect

Generative AI reduces the time and effort criminals must expend to deceive their targets. Generative AI takes what it has learned from examples input by a user and synthesizes something entirely new based on that information. These tools assist with content creation and can correct for human errors that might otherwise serve as warning signs of fraud…

SEC charges 3 individuals from Nigeria for operating a fraudulent online scheme, impersonating financial professionals and defrauding investors of over $2.9m

The defendants created fake websites and social media profiles to attract U.S. investors, promising high returns and manipulating investment platforms. In a parallel criminal case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed charges, while the SEC also issued an investor alert on impersonation scams. Compliance professionals may not be fully aware of the extent to which fraudsters use technology, including voice-changing software, to manipulate trust and create convincing, yet fraudulent, financial identities…

FinCEN joins public-private partnership to develop a comprehensive national strategy for combating fraud and scams

The National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention, convened by the Aspen Institute’s Financial Security Program, brings together key stakeholders including the financial services sector, technology companies, consumer advocacy groups, information sharing and analysis centers, and federal government agencies to develop a comprehensive national strategy for combating fraud and scams. Fraud and cybercrime (including fraudulent schemes) are two of FinCEN’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism National Priorities.

Quartz: Drug cartels use cryptocurrency Tether to launder money, court documents reveal

The revelation comes after Donald Trump nominated Howard Lutnick, the custodian of Tether, as Commerce Secretary. Tether (USDT), currently the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has been under intense scrutiny for several months due to federal investigations into its alleged role in facilitating cross-border money laundering. Now, a recent report by 404 Media highlights Tether’s growing use as a money laundering tool for Mexican drug traffickers, according to the U.S. Federal authorities.

FinCEN issues an alert on fraud schemes using deepfake media to target financial institutions

FinCEN issued an alert to financial institutions on fraud schemes involving deepfake media created with generative AI tools. The alert provides guidance on identifying suspicious activity, including fraudulent identity documents, and emphasizes reporting requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act. FinCEN warned that bad actors are exploiting AI technology to defraud businesses, urging vigilance to protect the financial system and consumers…

FinCEN provides beneficial ownership information reporting relief to victims of recent natural disasters

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has announced that certain victims of Hurricane Milton, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Beryl, and Hurricane Francine will receive an additional six months to submit beneficial ownership information reports, including updates and corrections to prior reports.

FinCEN issues alert on fraud schemes involving deepfake media targeting financial institutions

Alert is intended to help financial institutions identify fraud schemes associated with the use of deepfake media created with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools. The alert explains typologies associated with these schemes, provides red flag indicators to assist with identifying and reporting related suspicious activity, and reminds financial institutions of their reporting requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act.

FinCEN requests comments on proposed form for compliance with residential real estate rule

The Residential Real Estate Rule, which will be effective on December 1, 2025, requires select real estate professionals to submit reports and keep records about certain high-risk, non-financed transfers of residential real property to specified legal entities and trusts. This data will support the U.S. Department of the Treasury, law enforcement, and national security agencies in addressing illicit finance vulnerabilities in the U.S. residential real estate sector. It will also help curtail bad actors’ ability to use American residential real estate as a tool to anonymously launder and store illicit funds, which distorts housing prices and threatens U.S. economic and national security.

US DOJ convicts foreign national for laundering millions in proceeds from Cryptocurrency investment scams

Daren Li, 41, a dual citizen of China and St. Kitts and Nevis, and a resident of China, Cambodia, and the United Arab Emirates, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in a scheme to launder millions of dollars in proceeds of cryptocurrency investment scams…

FinCEN and Partner FIU Officials meet in Canada for International Public-Private Partnership events on illicit finance

The Symposium included presentations on the emerging trends, typologies, and case studies on Iran-backed terrorist financing, Russian sanctions evasion, online child sexual exploitation, synthetic opioid trafficking, human trafficking, and the illegal wildlife trade….

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