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HM Treasury released its annual AML/CTF Supervision Report for the period April 2022-2023, offering a timely insight into the activities of the UK’s 25 AML supervisors

These include: Total fines across 25 regulators decreased from £504 million in 2021-22 to £197 million in 2022-23, mainly due to fewer large fines by the FCA, FCA and the Gambling Commission imposing higher fines compared to HMRC and PBSs, FCA’s perspective that retail banking (including payments), wholesale banking, wealth management and crypto-asset firms pose the greatest risk of being exploited for ML…

NCA unmasks LockBit cyber-crime gang leader by infiltrating the group’s network, taking control of its services, including its leak site on the dark web

LockBit were one of the most prolific ransomware groups in recent years, responsible for attacks on over 200 UK businesses and major public service providers. UK and Allies crack down on malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia that seeks to undermine global integrity, prosperity and security…

 

FATF re-rates Georgia on Recommendation 12 in latest compliance report

Notes efforts undertaken by the country to address technical compliance shortcomings identified in its 2020 Mutual Evaluation Report. Notably, the amendments introduced by Georgia in 2023 to its AML legislation have fully addressed the deficiencies previously identified regarding measures applicable to politically exposed persons.

House of Commons publishes research briefing on company registration in the UK

The UK Government is reforming Companies House and the company registration regime in the UK. This briefing looks at the company regime and the ongoing reforms.

Europol announces the global drug kingpin’s inner circle taken down

The primary objective of operation codenamed “Black Tie” was to indict and prosecute a Bosnian-Herzegovinian/Dutch national considered a High Value Target by Europol and the Netherlands. In 2023, the suspect was sentenced to seven years in prison for drug trafficking by Dutch authorities. Another operational objective was to disrupt the entire criminal organisation under the command and control of the High Value Target. This joint international investigation was comprised of Belgian, Bosnian-Herzegovinian, French, and United States law enforcement, supported by Europol.

Europol: Global drug kingpin’s inner circle taken down involving 23 accomplices and corrupt officials based in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In a large-scale raid conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, law enforcement officers swarmed homes and offices of 23 persons suspected to be part of the ‘inner circle’ of a drug kingpin apprehended in November 2022. Europol supported yesterday’s action, which serves as another milestone in the fight against the so-called ‘super cartel’, an alliance of criminal networks that controlled much of Europe’s cocaine trade.

EU publishes FAQs concerning sanctions against Russia and new reporting obligations

According to the FAQs, Article 5r establishes new reporting requirements intended to provide national competent authorities (“NCAs”) with information on the flow of funds out of the European Union related to Russian-owned entities as opposed to entities that are partly Russian-owned and are legitimately operating in the European Union. The reports are also intended to enable NCAs to better assess whether certain types of transfers pose a risk of violating Russia-related sanctions and to help determine the sources of Russia’s revenue…

FinScan launches a webinar on ‘Staying on Top of the Sanctioned Securities Challenge’

In this webinar our panel of experts navigates the tumultuous terrain of geopolitical developments and the technological capabilities required to support…

Australia Govt plans to invest $166.4m in its Budget to implement reforms to Australia’s (AML/CTF) regime

The reforms are critical in supporting law enforcement partners in their fight against transnational, serious and organised crime and protecting Australians. This investment will enable the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) to implement the new regime and to support industries meet their obligations…

MONEYVAL re-rates Croatia on 11 recommendations from the country’s most recent mutual evaluation

Recognises steps taken by Croatia to address weaknesses in its AML/CFT regime, with respect to PEPs, beneficial ownership, CDD and EDD.

ICIJ reveals that UK freezes London property linked to Putin Ally

Reports showed the ongoing connection between Komarov and the townhouse on Herbert Crescent — a prime location in central London — which was purchased for more than $16.5 million in 2007 through a British Virgin Islands-based shell company he previously controlled. There was nothing illegal about the transaction as Komarov, who serves on Russia’s Security Council, was not sanctioned by the United Kingdom until 2022…

US DOJ arrests and charges Founders and CEO of Cryptocurrency Mixing Service with money laundering and unlicensed money transmitting offenses

Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill Are Charged with Operating Samourai Wallet, an Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business That Executed Over $2 Billion in Unlawful Transactions and Laundered Over $100 Million in Criminal Proceeds…