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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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FCA’s Cyber Coordination Group publishes insights highlighting how legacy systems, third-party dependencies, and emerging AI vulnerabilities continue to pose significant cyber risks to firms

August 15, 2025

The report, drawing on insights from 139 participating firms, highlights systemic challenges in reconnection protocols and third-party incident management, underscores the value of threat-led penetration testing and coordinated responses, and flags emergent exposures tied to AI and quantum technologies FCA. These findings signal how such weaknesses—especially in digital infrastructure and supplier ecosystems…

HKMA warns of a fraudulent app posing as Bank of Singapore, using phishing and fake logins to steal data and enable unauthorized transactions

August 14, 2025

The alert underscores the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals who are deploying fake apps and phishing attempts to capture sensitive customer information, including login credentials and one-time passwords. HKMA reminded the public that legitimate banks will never request such information via SMS, email, or embedded links, and emphasized adherence to established security protocols to mitigate risk…

Europol’s ‘From Instigator to Perpetrator’ report exposes how “violence‑as‑a‑service” uses digital platforms to outsource attacks, exploiting minors while protecting masterminds

August 14, 2025

Europol’s investigative analysis, supported by its Operational Taskforce OTF GRIMM, reveals a four-stage violent chain—instigator, recruiter, enabler, and perpetrator—often involving minors recruited through encrypted social media platforms, gamified tasks, and coded messaging to execute assaults, extortion, or murders at a distance from criminal masterminds…

 

RUSI warns UK money mule activity threatens national security, with a 23% rise in 2024, 227K accounts closed by the FCA, and fraud via social media now driving 45% of all crime

August 14, 2025

Fintechs and Banking-as-a-Service platforms were identified as especially vulnerable, with BaaS providers accounting for 10% of tracked transfers. Despite these risks, fraud database filings fell 17%, reflecting reporting changes, even as regulators and banks intensify collaboration with tech firms and law enforcement to disrupt this fast-moving threat…

CommBank and OpenAI embark on Australia-first strategic partnership to explore advanced generative AI solutions for stronger scam and fraud detection and enhanced personalised customer services

August 13, 2025

Under this agreement, CommBank engineers and OpenAI specialists will work together to integrate AI-driven solutions that enhance scam detection, monitor suspicious transactions, and deliver more personalized, secure services to customers. Employees will progressively gain access to enterprise-grade AI tools, including ChatGPT Enterprise, alongside comprehensive upskilling programs to ensure responsible and effective AI usage…

US DoJ targets 4 individuals and 13 Mexican companies linked to CJNG, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, for scamming U.S. seniors through fraudulent timeshares

August 13, 2025

Through a series of new sanctions, the Treasury has revealed the methods the cartel uses to exploit U.S. victims, including older Americans, by employing call centers, fake brokers, and advance-fee schemes. The action designates four individuals and 13 companies connected to the network, effectively blocking their assets in the United States and prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them…

GI-TOC highlights that organised crime in South Caucasus is going transnational, exploiting trade routes, political tolerance, and digital tools to fuel sanctions evasion and global illicit networks

August 13, 2025

While Azerbaijan has largely absorbed criminal networks into the state apparatus, Georgia and Armenia see groups operating with tacit political tolerance. Thieves-in-law remain influential, maintaining international operations in extortion, illicit trade, and money laundering. Armenia and Georgia have emerged as hubs for Russian goods and sanctions evasion, while Azerbaijan facilitates Russo-Iranian commerce…

BIS Bulletin Aug 25 proposes a new AML model for cryptoassets, including stablecoins, by assigning each unit a compliance score based on its transaction history to track illicit activity

August 13, 2025

Recognizing the limitations of traditional AML methods in permissionless, decentralized networks, the BIS suggests leveraging blockchain transparency to gauge the risk each asset poses. These risk scores—ranging from “clean” to “tainted”—would be used at crypto-to-fiat conversion points (“off-ramps”) to block suspicious funds, thus fostering a duty-of-care culture among exchanges and issuers…

Europol dismantles a major Albanian crime network, arresting 10 and seizing millions in assets linked to cocaine trafficking and ML through luxury properties and businesses

August 12, 2025

Albanian authorities, with support from Europol and multiple EU law enforcement agencies, dismantled a transnational organised crime group involved in large-scale cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe and extensive money laundering. The operation, enabled by analysis of encrypted Sky ECC communications, resulted in 10 arrests and the seizure of millions of euros in criminal assets, including a tourist resort, high-value real estate, vehicles, and business interests linked to the network’s leadership…

Europol takes down cross-border illegal fishing ring, seizing 7+ tonnes of unsafe Japanese clams worth €150K from a €2.5M-a-week trade laundered through luxury cars

August 12, 2025

In a joint operation, Spanish and Portuguese authorities, supported by Europol, dismantled an organised network engaged in the illegal harvesting and distribution of Japanese clams unfit for human consumption, seizing over seven tonnes of the product. The investigation led to 11 arrests and uncovered illicit proceeds exceeding €1.6 million in 2025, highlighting the convergence of food fraud and organised financial crime…

INTERPOL hosts Youth Cybercrime Awareness Webinar engaging 800+ participants across Asia-Pacific, providing expert guidance on online safety, emerging cyber threats, and responsible digital behavior

August 12, 2025

Discussions highlighted the increasing targeting of youth by cybercriminals offering fraudulent scholarships, gaming rewards, and job opportunities, often facilitated by sophisticated generative artificial intelligence tools like deepfakes. Participants were encouraged to adopt critical thinking, utilize privacy settings, maintain strong passwords, and report suspicious activities to enhance their online security…

Uruguay launches its 2025-2030 National Strategy to combat ML/TF and weapons proliferation, targeting drug trafficking, corruption, and high-risk sectors like soccer player transfers

August 12, 2025

The plan aims to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance institutional coordination, and improve enforcement mechanisms. A key component is the Integrated System for Combating Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking (SILCON), which facilitates real-time intelligence sharing among agencies. The strategy also focuses on sectors vulnerable to money laundering, including real estate and professional sports…

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