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Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing

Over 20 years of articles and reference material

A page dedicated to global, regional, UK and US anti-money laundering developments and initiatives.

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UNODC’s Toolkit on Public‑Private Partnerships Against Organised Fraud provides a practical roadmap, using the “fraud chain” and phased guidance to forge powerful, lasting anti-fraud collaborations

March 17, 2026

It outlines models and best practices for joint action across the fraud lifecycle, from detection and prevention to investigation and disruption, enabling private actors like financial institutions and tech companies to identify suspicious activity, share information with authorities, implement anti‑fraud measures, and raise public awareness. Part of UNODC’s broader efforts under the Global Programme on implementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the toolkit aims to strengthen partnerships, build capacity, and enhance global coordination in combating…

U.S. SEC issues an interpretation clarifying how federal securities laws apply to crypto assets, providing a clear framework that categorises digital assets as commodities, collectibles, tools and stablecoins

March 17, 2026

The guidance categorises crypto assets into types such as digital commodities, stablecoins, digital collectibles and digital tools, stating that most do not fall within securities laws, while reaffirming that assets offered as investment contracts or representing traditional securities remain subject to SEC oversight. It also emphasises that classification depends on how assets are marketed and used, noting that even non-security tokens can become securities if promoted with an expectation of profit, and signals potential future rulemaking including a “safe harbour” framework to support compliant…

UK Govt and INTERPOL launch Operation Shadow Storm at the Global Fraud Summit, a first-of-its-kind global taskforce uniting 190+ countries, banks, and tech firms to disrupt overseas scam and fraud networks

March 17, 2026

Announced at the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna in March 2026, the taskforce will coordinate international law-enforcement action, intelligence-sharing and operational efforts to identify and dismantle scam operations based overseas, which account for a large proportion of fraud affecting the UK. The initiative reflects the government’s wider strategy to tackle fraud as a predominantly international, online and organised crime threat, strengthening collaboration with partners such as INTERPOL and foreign governments to pursue offenders beyond UK jurisdiction and protect victims…

OECD Policy brief ‘How Drug Traffickers Exploit Modern Trade Solutions’ flags criminals embed drugs across global supply chains, exploiting loopholes from free trade zones to maritime and parcel networks

March 16, 2026

The policy brief highlights that rising volumes of cocaine, fentanyl and other synthetic drugs are entering legitimate trade channels, where traffickers conceal shipments among vast flows of goods and exploit gaps in customs oversight, governance and enforcement. It concludes that countering these trade-based trafficking methods requires stronger international cooperation, improved risk-based screening in logistics and shipping systems, and closer public-private partnerships with transport and supply-chain actors…

UNODC’s Handbook on Effective Communication Strategies for the Prevention of Organised Fraud empowers stakeholders outsmart fraudsters with viral campaigns, business protections, and coordinated cross-border messaging

March 16, 2026

It emphasises why communication matters in fraud prevention, explaining how language, messaging and channels influence public understanding of risk, shape behaviours, and help people recognise and avoid sophisticated schemes that exploit trust. The guide breaks down how to identify target audiences (such as consumers, vulnerable groups, businesses and professionals), tailor messages to their needs, and select the most effective communication platforms — from traditional media to digital and community outreach — to maximise impact. It also highlights the importance of coordinated, consistent…

AMLA launches a major EU-wide data collection exercise with banks to test and calibrate its risk assessment models, preparing to tighten oversight and directly supervise high-risk FIs starting in 2028

March 16, 2026

AMLA is working closely with national supervisors and the private sector, collecting detailed data from two groups of financial institutions: those likely to fall under AMLA’s direct supervision and a representative sample of other institutions. The exercise will provide high-quality, harmonized data, enabling AMLA to refine its models and ensure consistent risk assessments across member states. The outcomes will feed into the final selection of entities for direct supervision, expected to be published in 2027, helping to strengthen the EU’s ability to detect, prevent, and mitigate ML and terrorist financing threats…

 

Home Office Minister Lord Hanson warns at the Global Fraud Summit that fraud accounts for 44% of UK crime, urging bold global action and Interpol-backed partnerships to dismantle criminal networks

March 16, 2026

In the speech, Minister Lord Hanson highlights that fraud is increasingly transnational and technology-enabled, with criminals exploiting digital platforms, communications networks and open financial systems, and stresses that governments must match this innovation by using tools such as artificial intelligence and enhanced data-sharing. He calls for deeper collaboration between governments, law enforcement, industry and international partners, noting that a significant proportion of fraud originates overseas and that effective disruption will depend on coordinated global action, intelligence…

INTERPOL’s Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment 2026 warns of a surging fraud crisis with AI scams 4.5× more profitable, $442B lost in 2025, Notices up 54%, and $1.1B recovered across 1500+ cases

March 16, 2026

Criminal networks are expanding globally, working with specialised money-laundering groups and even terrorist organisations in some regions, while scam centres—often involving trafficked victims—have spread worldwide. The assessment also notes improving law enforcement response, with a 54% increase in INTERPOL Notices and support for over 1,500 cases recovering USD 1.1 billion, but stresses that fraud’s growing scale, complexity, and links to cybercrime and human trafficking demand stronger international cooperation and more adaptive financial crime controls…

HKMA publishes a Thematic Review of Sanctions Screening Systems, highlighting banks’ strengths, best practices, exposing gaps, and setting standards to boost anti-fraud, AML, & FC defences

March 16, 2026

It highlights areas where systems are performing well, identifies common deficiencies, and shares good practices for strengthening controls. The guidance sets clear regulatory expectations for maintaining, monitoring, and enhancing sanctions screening processes, while also signaling follow-up supervisory actions where improvements are needed. This review forms part of the HKMA’s broader efforts to reinforce anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and financial crime controls in collaboration with banks and law enforcement…

Cayman Islands confirms its beneficial ownership register will remain accessible only to those with a legitimate interest, rejecting calls for full public access

March 13, 2026

The register is a key tool for combating money laundering, tax evasion, and financial crime, and access is limited to authorities, regulators, and financial institutions performing due diligence. Parliament also updated fees for accessing the register, including annual and single-search charges, while the Premier emphasized that this approach keeps Cayman ahead of international standards, balancing transparency with privacy and protecting the jurisdiction’s credibility in the global financial system…

UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs establishes a 19-member Expert Panel to offer clear actionable recommendations for strengthening global drug control and supporting the 2029 policy review

March 12, 2026

The panel will analyse progress since the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on global drug control commitments and provide evidence-based recommendations to guide future international drug policy discussions. Its work will draw on expertise across health, justice and development fields to assess the evolving world drug problem and inform UN member states ahead of the 2029 high-level policy review…

U.S. Treasury publishes 2026 National ML Risk Assessment, warning criminals are exploiting fraud, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and digital assets to launder money, urging stronger public-private action

March 12, 2026

The report assesses vulnerabilities across sectors—including banks, money services businesses, casinos, cash-intensive industries, and legal entities—and underscores the urgent need for both public and private sectors to strengthen risk‑mitigation measures, enhance monitoring and reporting, and adopt innovative strategies to detect, deter, and disrupt money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing, reinforcing the U.S. commitment…

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