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FinCEN Exchange in Los Angeles brings together public and private sectors to share information on combating fentanyl trafficking

FinCEN and law enforcement representatives highlighted the significant value that suspicious activity reports contribute to law enforcement efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking. They also shared views on ways the financial industry can further increase the effectiveness of suspicious activity reporting involving suspected fentanyl trafficking and related money laundering in Southern California and beyond.

US DoJ charges Utah man in $2.8m wire fraud scheme

The US DoJ charged a Utah man with wire fraud, making a false statement, impersonating a federal officer and aggravated identity theft. Garcia Gutierrez allegedly falsely promised his victim that he could acquire at discounted prices exotic cars, planes and vessels that had been seized by the U.S. govt through forfeiture…

Moneyval’s Fifth Round Mutual Evaluation of Montenegro urges heightened efforts to combat ML through improved investigation, prosecution, and supervision of high-risk non-financial entities

MONEYVAL has found that in relation to the 11 areas under assessment (i.e. Immediate Outcomes), Montenegro obtained a substantial level of effectiveness in two areas, i.e. in understanding money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) risks, as well as in international co-operation where the authorities are commended for their efficient and effective cooperation with respect to both evidence and intelligence exchanges…

Europol releases podcast on Balkan Cartels for shipping vast amounts of cocaine to the EU

Europol and the DEA provide a behind-the-scenes look at Operation Familia, one of Europol’s biggest cocaine trafficking investigations.

ESAs recommend steps to enhance the monitoring of BigTechs’ financial services activities

The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, and ESMA) released a report on BigTech’s role in the EU financial sector, focusing on their licensed activities in payments, e-money, insurance, and banking. The 2023 findings reveal plans to implement a data mapping tool for ongoing monitoring of BigTech’s influence and encourage information exchange between financial and regulatory bodies to address emerging challenges…

The CPS prosecutes 2 men for laundering more than £12m of criminally obtained cash in the UK

The CPS prosecuted Kuksov, and Dzetska, both of Kensington, London, following an investigation by the NCA. Kuksov played a leading role in running the illegal enterprise which laundered large sums of criminally derived cash for a fee…

INTERPOL-led operation targets growing phishing malware and ransomware incidents

Some 1,300 suspicious IP addresses or URLs have been identified as part of a global INTERPOL operation targeting phishing, malware and ransomware attacks. Operation Synergia was launched in response to the clear growth, escalation and professionalisation of transnational cybercrime and the need for coordinated action against new cyber threats…

CFATF disseminates third enhanced follow-up report on St Lucia

Saint Lucia has 30 Recommendations rated C/LC. Saint Lucia will remain in enhanced follow-up based on effectiveness ratings. Saint Lucia’s next enhanced follow-up report is due November 2024.

Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan sentenced to 14 years for selling state gifts, OCCRP reports

“A Pakistani anti-graft court on Wednesday send the former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to prison for 14 years in a case related to the unlawful sale of state gifts. His supporters question the harsh sentence that comes days before elections.”

Global Initiative conducts assessment of illicit financial flows (IFFs) in the Western Balkans confirming how corruption, rise of criminal organisations, TBML and tax evasion continue to facilitate IFFs

The assessment confirms how widespread corruption, the rise of criminal organisations, trade-based money laundering and tax evasion continue to facilitate IFFs. In an effort to address these shortcomings and to enhance awareness and knowledge of IFFs in the region, the GI-TOC will launch an online IFFs toolkit as part of the project ‘Countering Illicit Financial Flows in the Western Balkans’…

GIABA publishes Mutual Evaluation Report on Guinea

Notes that effective and efficient implementation of the AML/CFT regime in Guinea is fundamentally limited by the low banking rate in the economy, the predominant use of cash, the pre-eminence of the informal sector, the vastness of the land borders and prevalent corruption.

Artforum: Head of Saudi Arabia’s Alula Cultural Development arrested on suspicion of money laundering

“Amr al-Madani, chief executive officer of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the government agency created in 2017 to conserve and develop AlUla, a 2,000-year-old archaeological and historical site in northwestern Saudi Arabia, was arrested on January 28 on allegations of corruption. News of his arrest was made public by the country’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha). Al-Madani is accused of abuse of authority and money laundering.”