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INTERPOL’s Operation Phoenix across 5 MENA countries nets 48 arrests, including 8 Red Notice suspects, while database checks uncover 246 hits and authorities seize drugs, cash, gold & luxury vehicles

September 16, 2026

More than 700,000 INTERPOL database checks generated 246 hits, while authorities seized 11 luxury vehicles, cash, 1.8kg of gold, 13,000 Captagon pills, 123 crystal meth capsules and 530 mobile phones. The operation was also notable as INTERPOL’s first MENA operation in which female police officers had full operational responsibility, including border checks, interviews and international coordination…

South Africa’s Prudential Authority sanctions Capitec Bank with R28m penalty over AML/CFT control failures, including CDD, screening and sanctions weaknesses

September 11, 2026

The sanctions include five cautions and a R28 million financial penalty, of which R5.5 million is conditionally suspended for 36 months. The deficiencies included inadequate customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD) and ongoing due diligence, insufficient ongoing AML training, and weaknesses in name/payment screening, terrorist property reporting and financial sanctions controls…

New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs identifies the services accountants provide that create heightened exposure to money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing

September 9, 2026

The 2026 Accounting Sector Risk Assessment updates the sector’s risk profile using New Zealand’s National Risk Assessment, supervisory experience, intelligence and industry information. It examines how criminals can exploit professional services to conceal beneficial ownership and the source or movement of illicit funds, and is intended to help accounting practices reassess their individual risks and strengthen proportionate AML/CFT controls

APGML strengthens cooperation with Cambodia to tackle the illicit finance, online scams and cyber-enabled fraud associated with transnational scam networks

September 9, 2026

The APG Secretariat hosted representatives from Cambodia’s Commission for Combating Online Scams and partner agencies in Sydney to discuss emerging cyber-fraud risks and opportunities for stronger international cooperation. The engagement follows the APG’s recent work on cyber scam hubs and human trafficking, which identifies the evolution of scam centres into sophisticated transnational criminal enterprises exploiting virtual assets, complex corporate structures and weaknesses in special economic zones. The discussions emphasised information sharing and coordinated regional action to disrupt the criminal networks and financial infrastructure supporting these activities.

AUSTRAC removes 45 remittance and virtual asset businesses from its registers as it intensifies scrutiny of high-risk payment sectors

September 7, 2026

The regulator cancelled, suspended or refused to renew registrations over the past year where businesses were inactive, lacked operational capacity, failed to meet registration requirements or presented significant money laundering or terrorist financing risks. AUSTRAC highlighted its cancellation of crypto provider GetCoins, which was allegedly exploited by organised cryptocurrency investment scams, and has referred individuals associated with some affected businesses to domestic and overseas enforcement partners. The action forms part of increased regulatory attention on payments, remittance and virtual asset providers identified as presenting heightened financial crime risks.

ESAAMLG calls for countries to move beyond technical compliance and demonstrate measurable results in tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing

September 2, 2026

At its 52nd Task Force Plenary in Kigali, the regional FATF-style body emphasised the need for AML/CFT/CPF frameworks to produce effective financial intelligence, investigations, prosecutions, asset recovery and disruption of criminal networks. The discussions reflect increasing emphasis within international AML supervision on demonstrating that legal and regulatory frameworks work effectively in practice rather than simply satisfying technical requirements.

MAS proposes bringing stablecoin issuance under Singapore’s Payment Services Act, strengthening oversight of single-currency stablecoins

September 1, 2026

MAS has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the Payment Services Act to implement Singapore’s regulatory framework for stablecoins. The proposals would establish a dedicated regulated activity for the issuance of qualifying single-currency stablecoins in Singapore, building on the framework previously developed by MAS and bringing issuers within the payments regulatory perimeter. The regime is intended to support the use of…

AUSTRAC probes Western Union over serious concerns about its management of high-risk payment channels and whether its transaction monitoring can detect ML/TF and child sexual exploitation risks

September 1, 2026

AUSTRAC has launched an enforcement investigation into Western Union Financial Services Australia and its US parent over concerns about the management of high-risk payment channels, customers and affiliates. The investigation will examine the effectiveness of its AML/CTF programme and transaction monitoring, including its ability to identify typologies associated with child sexual exploitation and terrorist financing, as well as governance…

AUSTRAC intelligence uncovers $9.36M in alleged illicit tobacco proceeds, triggering 11 raids and seizures of cash, 5,500+ vapes, 16,500 nicotine products and $73,600 in cash

August 28, 2026

AUSTRAC intelligence has supported an investigation into more than A$9m in alleged criminal proceeds from illicit tobacco and vape sales in the Northern Territory. Operation Teton was triggered after AUSTRAC identified suspicious financial activity reported by a regulated payment platform, including businesses generating revenues inconsistent with their apparent business models. Authorities allege businesses linked to the investigation…

Thailand’s SEC introduces a Travel Rule for digital assets, requiring operators to share transaction data, conduct counterparty checks and verify self-hosted wallets to strengthen AML controls from Feb 2027

August 25, 2026

Thailand’s SEC has issued new Travel Rule requirements designed to improve the traceability of digital asset transfers and prevent their use for laundering, terrorist financing and technology-related crime. Digital asset operators must collect information on customers and counterparties, conduct due diligence on counterparty VASPs and intermediaries, verify ownership or control of self-hosted wallets, and transmit originator and beneficiary information…

Isle of Man FSA releases its AML/CFT/CPF supervisory progress report, noting improved compliance and setting 2026/27 priorities on sanctions, TF/PF, risk assessments, foreign PEPs, VASPs & Travel Rule

August 23, 2026

The report signals a stronger focus on whether firms’ controls work in practice, with governance, risk assessments, CDD, transaction monitoring and control effectiveness remaining key supervisory priorities. The FSA will also assess firms’ treatment of foreign PEPs, while using supervisory findings to strengthen guidance, the AML/CFT Handbook and preparations for the MONEYVAL mutual evaluation…

Mauritius FIU issues supplementary STR Guidance Note 4.1, clarifying expectations around suspicious activity escalation, MLRO responsibilities, internal assessments and timely STR reporting

August 19, 2026

It explains how firms should identify, escalate, assess and report suspicious activity under FIAMLA. The guidance clarifies that suspicion does not require proof or certainty; reasonable grounds are sufficient to trigger reporting. Employees should escalate suspicious matters directly and without delay to the MLRO/DMLRO, without unnecessary management approvals…

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