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APGML finds that Samoa has made progress in addressing the technical compliance deficiencies identified in its Mutual Evaluation and Follow-up Reports

Samoa has made advancements since its 2015 Mutual Evaluation Report (MER), including amendments to legislation and issuing guidance for financial institutions.
Moderate to major shortcomings remain in areas such as ongoing due diligence, enforcement of BO requirements, and supervisory frameworks, particularly concerning international legal persons and VASPs.

BVI Govt publishes draft regulations setting out the conditions under which 3rd parties will be able to access personal information held in its central register of beneficial ownership

Proposals  will allow access to specific groups with a legitimate interest, such as financial institutions, media, civil society, and academics, to access beneficial ownership registers. Stakeholder feedback is sought on the definition of legitimate interest and protection mechanisms…

 

MENAFATF notes Iraq’s progress in confiscating criminal proceeds, prosecuting ML/TF cases, and enhancing international cooperation, as well as challenges in supervision and TFS implementation

MENAFAT undertook its assessment of the effectiveness of Iraq’s measures to protect the financial system from abuse and its level of compliance with the FATF Recommendations, from 6 to 23 August 2023…

 

 

Canada releases data on assets frozen and blocked transactions under the Special Economic Measures Act from Feb 2022 – Dec 2024

The RCMP has announced significant progress in enforcing Canada’s Special Economic Measures Act with substantial assets frozen and financial transactions blocked. Since February 24, 2022, approximately CAD $140.2 million in assets have been frozen and over CAD $317.5 million in transactions blocked under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. In addition, under the Belarus regulations…

GFI releases report on Digital Asset Ecosystem in El Salvador: Challenges and risks to countercheck Financial Crime

Provides a thorough analysis of technological advancements, financial crime prevention, and personal data protection in the wake of Bitcoin’s adoption as legal tender in 2021…

FATF upgrades its assessment of Tajikistan regarding the supervision of the NPO sector and its asset seizure regime

Tajikistan is re-rated on Recommendation 8, covering regulation of the NPO sector, to ‘Largely Compliant’. The country is also re-rated to Largely Compliant on Recommendation 38, as a result of steps taken to eliminate the deficiency in dividing confiscated property with other countries.

APGML acknowledges the steps Myanmar has taken to enhance its AML/CFT regulatory and supervisory framework

Myanmar has been re-rated on Recommendation 26 from Partially Compliant to Largely Compliant. Action recognises that comprehensive measures were introduced in 2024 to ensure individuals in significant roles in the microfinance, insurance, and securities sectors meet “fit and proper” criteria. Also noted as part of the decision was the issue of handbooks to help supervisors apply a risk-based approach, as well as provision of new guidelines for securities firms align supervision frequency and intensity with assessed ML/TF risks.

MENAFATF announces a new five-point strategic plan to strengthen regional efforts against ML/TF, as Jordan assumes the group’s presidency for 2025

The leadership of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), chaired by Her Excellency Samia Abu Sharif of Jordan, met with Vice-Chairman His Excellency Hamed Saif Al-Zaabi of the UAE to develop plans for implementing their joint strategic priorities. These priorities were approved during the 39th MENAFATF Plenary in November 2024, building on the successes of the 2024 Yemeni presidency….

HKMA issues alert on fraudulent website and internet banking login screen related to Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has issued an alert about a fraudulent website and internet banking login screen reported by Shanghai Commercial Bank. It reminds the public that banks will never ask for sensitive information like passwords or One-Time Passwords via SMS, email, or embedded links. Those affected by the fraud should contact the bank and report the incident to the Hong Kong Police’s Crime Wing Information Centre…

APGML 2023/24 annual business report highlights regional AML/CFT progress, mutual evaluations, and typologies on emerging financial crime trends

This report highlights the achievements of the APG over the reporting period against the goals and strategies contained in the Strategic Plan 2020-2024…

Asian Banking & Finance: Thailand tightens AML measures after UN report

Thailand is tightening its AML/CFT measures following a UN report linking its banks to weapons procurement. The Bank of Thailand and AMLO announced stricter customer verification, enhanced scrutiny for high-risk customers, and additional documentation requirements for transactions involving dual-use items. These measures aim to prevent financial institutions from being exploited for ML, terrorism, or human rights abuses…

AML Intelligence: UAE’s ‘Falcon Economy’ thrives as Emirates finalize third milestone of financial crime strategy with NRA set for imminent launch

The UAE’s “Falcon Economy” is thriving with strong foreign investment and major infrastructure projects. Concurrently, the country is advancing its Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) and AML efforts, including the upcoming release of its National Risk Assessment (NRA). Key milestones also include the publication of a National AML/CFT Strategy and the establishment of a new AML super-agency, the General Secretariat…

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