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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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Home Office 2024–25 report flags migrant surges and boosts law enforcement powers to tackle border and financial crime risks

July 17, 2025

The Home Office Annual Report 2024–25 highlights significant operational challenges related to a 24% rise in small boat migrant crossings and the accommodation of over 100,000 asylum seekers, underscoring risks linked to immigration and border enforcement. It also outlines strategic initiatives, including enhanced law enforcement powers via the Crime and Policing Bill and a new policing performance framework, which are critical for addressing financial crime risks tied to migration, human trafficking, and related illicit activities.

AUSTRAC’s 2025-26 priorities tighten oversight on high-risk sectors like cash and digital currencies and expand regulation to ‘tranche 2’ industries like real estate, law, and precious metals

July 17, 2025

AUSTRAC is also targeting high-risk sectors such as cash-intensive businesses and digital currencies, which facilitate rapid and anonymous cross-border transactions. The agency plans to enhance its intelligence capabilities to identify sectors not managing risks effectively and to inform regulatory priorities and enforcement activities…

UK’s 2025 NRA flags how criminals are increasingly exploiting sectors once seen as low-risk – such as universities, football, letting agents, TCSPs, and professional services

July 17, 2025

The report warns of rising risks driven by new technologies, geopolitical instability, and sophisticated criminal networks, while cash-based money laundering, misuse of professional services, and complex ownership structures remain persistent threats. The assessment underscores the need for a coordinated, risk-based approach by government, law enforcement, supervisors…

Met Police and FCA seize 7 illegal crypto ATMs and arrest 2 suspects for operating an unregistered crypto-asset exchange and laundering illicit funds

July 17, 2025

This enforcement action comes amid the FCA’s continued crackdown on unlawful crypto activities, highlighting that no crypto ATMs are legally registered in the UK. Therese Chambers of the FCA underscored that unregulated machines “support crime,” while Detective Inspector Geoff Donoghue reaffirmed the Met’s commitment to tackling crypto-enabled money laundering…

FATF holds webinars on TF and Proliferation Risks (July 22, 2025) and Sanctions Evasion Schemes (July 29, 2025) to help deepen public and private sector understanding of key risks and vulnerabilities

July 17, 2025

The first, on 22 July, will focus on terrorist financing (TF), examining traditional and emerging methods, including online tactics and hybrid approaches. The second, on 29 July, will address proliferation financing (PF) and sanctions evasion schemes, highlighting vulnerabilities in the global financial system and discussing FATF’s recent report on complex PF and sanctions evasion schemes…

FCA and ICO highlight how Open Finance and Smart Data can enhance secure data sharing in financial services through strong consent, privacy, and AI safeguards to combat fraud and drive innovation

July 17, 2025

Key technologies under review include APIs, AI analytics, distributed ledger technology, and digital IDs—all aimed at boosting innovation while safeguarding against financial crime risks. With initiatives like the Smart Data Accelerator and ICO’s Innovation Hub, both regulators aim to balance innovation and trust, ensuring data-driven finance evolves responsibly and transparently…

Europol disrupts a major drug trafficking network across Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK, arresting 7, seizing 600+ kg of drugs and €5M hidden in cargo and mail

July 17, 2025

The traffickers utilised sophisticated methods, such as concealing drugs in deck cargo and mail packages, to evade detection. The coordinated effort involved 11 house searches across the three countries, with nine conducted in Belgium, one in the UK, and one in the Netherlands. Europol has been supporting the investigation since September 2024…

EC unveils bold review of the EU’s Anti-Fraud Architecture to protect the EU budget against rising transnational fraud, organised crime, and tech abuses like AI and crypto, with reforms set for 2026

July 16, 2025

The initiative focuses on improving the entire anti-fraud process—from prevention and detection to investigation, prosecution, and recovery—by enhancing data sharing, access, and the use of advanced tools. It also aims to boost cooperation among EU agencies and member states, with key stakeholders invited to contribute ahead of planned policy updates expected in 2026…

GI-TOC flags Pacific Islands as crime transit hub, calls for community-led security amid meth crisis and rising foreign cartel influence

July 16, 2025

This growing presence of foreign crime groups is fueling a sharp rise in methamphetamine trafficking and usage across the region, which is contributing to wider social harms such as increased petty crime, community fragmentation, and a surge in HIV infections linked to drug use practices. GI-TOC stresses the urgent need for holistic, community-led security strategies that integrate traditional local governance with formal law enforcement efforts…

Europol reveals pro-Russian cyber gang NoName057(16) funded major DDoS attacks on Ukraine and NATO allies with crypto payments, exposing key financial crime risks

July 16, 2025

Operation “Eastwood” led to two arrests, seven international arrest warrants, disruption of over 100 servers, and searches across multiple EU countries. The network recruited thousands via Telegram, paying them in crypto to attack targets, highlighting the financial crime risks tied to politically motivated cyberattacks….

AMLA outlines in its 2025 Work Programme that firms involved in crypto asset activities must have robust protections against ML/TF in place

July 15, 2025

AMLA expects all licensed crypto-asset service providers in the EU to implement comprehensive and effective anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures from the outset. The Authority emphasizes coordinated, risk-based supervision in partnership with national regulators to ensure consistent enforcement and address emerging cross-border threats…

FCA’s 2025 PEP Guidance refines PEP definitions allowing case-by-case discretion on sign-off and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) duration

July 15, 2025

It emphasises a risk-based, proportionate approach to enhanced due diligence, requiring senior management approval but allowing flexibility in signatories. Firms must promptly update PEP status and ensure clear documentation, training, and compliance oversight, aligning policies with consumer protection principles. This guidance reflects lessons from the FCA’s 2024 PEP review and replaces earlier versions…

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