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NCA’s July 2025 SARs Booklet reports freezing £1M+ in suspect deposits, blocking £250K–£400K laundered via shell firms, and seizing student mule accounts transferring £10K–£14K each

NCA reports cases where over £1M in suspicious cash deposits triggered DAML referrals, AFOs and forfeiture of significant assets. It includes multiple examples of money mule detection involving students with rapid deposit‑withdrawal patterns and asset freezing exceeding £10k–£14k. NCA describes drug‑money laundering schemes involving spikes of hundreds of thousands via business accounts…

SRA’s updated sectoral risk assessment outlines key ML/TF threats facing legal service providers and reinforces that law firms must embed a risk-based approach aligned with regulatory expectations

This assessment, grounded in the UK Government’s National Risk Assessment and the SRA’s supervisory insights, identifies the most pressing money laundering and terrorist financing risks encountered by firms it regulates—including solicitors, tax advisers, and trust or company service providers—and emphasises that firms must integrate these findings into their firm-wide risk assessments as mandated under Regulation 18 of the MLR 2017.

CBUAE introduces the ‘Digital Dirham’ as legal tender, modernising payments via regulated channels with strict KYC, transaction limits, and full traceability to counter illicit finance

The Central Bank of the UAE’s 2025 report aims to outline the progress and strategic objectives behind the development of the Digital Dirham, a central bank digital currency designed to modernise the national payments infrastructure. It seeks to enhance financial inclusion, security, and efficiency while enabling greater transparency and resilience against financial crime in both retail and wholesale transactions…

US President’s WG on Digital Asset Markets unveils bold plans to make US the crypto capital – backing CFTC oversight, stablecoin rules, a CBDC ban, sharper AML rules and tax reforms to drive innovation

The mission of the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets is to develop a cohesive and forward-looking regulatory framework that promotes responsible innovation in digital financial technologies. It is also tasked with enhancing the United States’ strategic position in global digital finance through coordinated oversight, risk management, and the establishment of national digital asset reserves…

NECC 2024–25 Annual Report highlights major wins: 11,500 shell firms dismantled, £250 m+ in assets seized, 419 arrests via JMLIT, and stronger public–private action against fraud and illicit finance

The NECC also prioritised legislative input, research partnerships, and capability building to future‑proof the UK’s economic crime response, while strengthening asset denial measures and welcoming new leadership to drive illicit finance. It supported over 1,200 investigations, enabling 419 arrests and the restraint or seizure of more than £250 million…

OECD’s July 2025 CARF XML update streamlines global crypto tax reporting with error-aware, standardised data exchange ahead of 2026 enforcement

The document provides technical guidance on the updated XML schema for the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), facilitating standardised and automated exchange of crypto-asset tax information. Its aim is to ensure consistent, accurate, and efficient cross-border reporting by aligning data submission processes with global tax transparency standards.

GI‑TOC Research report maps East and Southern Africa as a major conduit for heroin, illicit gold, and wildlife trafficking, fueled by global crime networks, insurgents, and weak border controls

The report highlights the emergence of critical regional hubs and the complex cross-border illicit economies , spanning drugs, wildlife trafficking, illegal mining, and human smuggling that underpin these risks. This evolving landscape underscores the urgent need for coordinated enforcement and regulatory strategies to address the multifaceted financial crime challenges in the region…

Denmark proposes groundbreaking amendment to its copyright law, granting individuals legal rights over their face, voice, and likeness to tackle the misuse of AI-generated deepfakes

A first in Europe, this law aims to combat deepfake misuse and protect individuals from AI-generated impersonations. As deepfakes grow more advanced, banks must tighten defenses. The law encourages smarter onboarding with digital CDD and eKYC – balancing seamless client experience with stronger identity checks…

FATF reveals how threat actors exploit the gaps: what you need to know about sanctions evasion & proliferation financing tactics – and how to strengthen your defences

Featuring a panel of international experts from both public and private sectors, the discussion highlighted emerging challenges that complicate detection and compliance efforts in an evolving financial crime landscape. Attendees gained valuable insights into common obstacles faced when addressing these illicit activities and explored effective strategies and good practices for enhancing risk-based approaches. This webinar serves as a crucial resource…

HKMA enforces a new stablecoin licensing regime from 1 Aug 2025, demanding strict AML/KYC, full reserve backing, and cracking down on false licensing claims to boost transparency and fight FC

Effective from 1 August 2025, the new guidelines set clear supervisory expectations, particularly emphasizing robust anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) controls to enhance the integrity and security of stablecoin operations. The HKMA has also issued stern warnings against false claims of licensing or application status, underscoring that such misrepresentations are offences under the Stablecoins Ordinance…

FCA acts against CCG and 6 individuals over an alleged £23M unauthorised collective investment scheme in static homes, falsely promised with guaranteed returns and state backing

The scheme, promoted by Concept Capital Group and linked consultancies, promised investors fixed returns through investments in static homes purportedly let to social housing tenants. The FCA’s investigation uncovered coordinated breaches involving unauthorised financial promotions and misleading statements, leading to court-ordered asset freezes and undertakings to halt further sales or promotions. This crackdown highlights…

Europol busts a fake document ring disguised as a Greek travel agency, arresting 8 suspects and seizing forged IDs, biometric data, €68K+ in cash, drugs, and printing tools used to fuel illegal migration

The criminal group mainly Pakistani, Iranian, and Turkish nationals—produced and trafficked counterfeit passports, ID cards, and other documents across the EU, helping facilitate illegal migration. The case highlights how criminal networks exploit legitimate business fronts to enable document fraud and cross-border crime…

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