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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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FATF invites Jamaica and Nigeria to its Guest Initiative, recognising their AML/CFT progress and enabling them to join the next 3 Plenaries to help strengthen the fight against illicit finance

July 23, 2025

FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo describes the initiative as mutually beneficial, promoting knowledge-sharing to fortify the global financial system. Both countries will participate for one year in three FATF Plenary and working group meetings: October 2025, February 2026, and June 2026…

Europol arrests the operator of xss.is, a Russian‑language cybercrime forum with 50K users trading stolen data and hacking tools, who also ran thesecure.biz and made €7M+ from illicit activities

July 23, 2025

The suspect, detained in Kyiv, also ran thesecure.biz, a private messaging service for criminals, and reportedly earned more than €7 million from advertising and facilitating illicit transactions. Investigators seized digital infrastructure and critical data, disrupting a platform that served as a trusted hub for ransomware gangs and fraudsters worldwide…

OFSI releases its first-ever Cryptoassets Threat Assessment raising red flags on under-reporting and highlighting crypto’s growing exposure to sanctions risk

July 23, 2025

OFSI released its first-ever Cryptoassets Threat Assessment raising red flags on under-reporting and highlighting crypto’s growing exposure to sanctions risk. The report highlights the increasing use of cryptoassets to evade sanctions, particularly by high-risk actors and jurisdictions, and warns that the sector is becoming more exposed to sanctions risk. OFSI calls for greater compliance, transparency, and due diligence among crypto firms…

UK SFO and AGO’s updated May 2024 Framework boosts SFO’s independence on complex fraud, while adding tighter AGO oversight, clearer dispute rules, and stricter financial checks to rebuild trust

July 23, 2025

The updated framework agreement between the SFO and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) introduces stronger ministerial oversight, clearer strategic controls, and enhanced governance standards designed to sharpen the accountability of the UK’s leading financial crime prosecutor. This revision reflects a significant commitment to improving transparency and ensuring robust mechanisms are in place for…

HMT and OfDIA announce new MLR guidance to embed certified digital IDs into financial services, aiming to cut fraud, reduce compliance costs, and unlock £4.3B by 2034 

July 23, 2025

This initiative addresses long-standing uncertainty among financial institutions regarding the regulatory treatment of digital identity technologies, which has historically limited adoption. The forthcoming guidance, developed in coordination with the UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Act, will provide clarity on definitions, risk-based application, and how certified providers under the UK digital identity trust framework can support firms’ MLR obligations…

EC’s 2024 PIF Report reveals a 26% rise in reported fraud cases, highlights progress in digital anti-fraud tools, and calls for stronger data sharing, mandatory national strategies, and governance reforms

July 22, 2025

Member States reported a total of 13,589 irregularities in 2024, with confirmed cases of fraud rising to 1,364 (+26% year-on-year). While overall reporting dipped slightly, fraud detection increased suggesting improved vigilance and better follow-up procedures. The report underscores the growing role of digitalisation and innovative IT tools (such as Arachne, EDES, SUMMA, IMS) in detecting and preventing fraud… ..

CFATF’s 2025 AML/CFT Evaluation Report on Curaçao praises its solid legal framework but raises concerns over weak enforcement, opaque ownership structures, and gaps in CFT measures

July 22, 2025

The report recognises a robust legal and institutional AML/CFT framework in Curaçao, but identifies critical weaknesses in customer due diligence, beneficial ownership transparency, and terrorist financing criminalisation. CFATF calls for improved enforcement, enhanced supervision of non-profit organisations, and stronger regulation of virtual asset service providers to increase overall effectiveness…

 

CFATF’s 2025 AML/CFT Evaluation report on Sint Maarten reveals major gaps in effectiveness and sector‑specific risk oversight, despite technical compliance improvements since the previous review

July 22, 2025

CFATF’s 2025 mutual evaluation of Sint Maarten highlights significant weaknesses in the effectiveness of its AML/CFT framework, particularly in risk-based supervision, sanctions enforcement, and financial intelligence. While the jurisdiction has improved technical compliance since its last review, substantial gaps remain in understanding sector-specific risks, regulating virtual assets, and ensuring transparency around beneficial ownership…

NCA’s 2024–25 Annual Report highlights a year of intensified FC crackdowns, delivering 450 high‑impact disruptions – 72% above target with stronger border seizures, global reach, and tech‑driven growth

July 22, 2025

Backed by £58 million in additional funding, the NCA expanded its workforce, modernised technology, and enhanced coordination under the National Control Strategy. Operating from UK hubs and through officers stationed in over 50 countries, the Agency maintained strong financial stewardship with an unqualified audit, while governance bodies ensured strategic oversight…

FATF highlights the evolving tactics and emerging threats in TF, calling for adaptive, intelligence-led responses and enhanced global information sharing to strengthen detection and disruption

July 22, 2025

Experts emphasized the persistent ability of terrorist groups to adapt their financing strategies, exploiting vulnerabilities in the global financial system. The discussion introduced updated risk insights, underscoring emerging threats and future…

Isle of Man’s first standalone TF National Risk Assessment flags transit financing as the top threat while affirming strong cross-sector defences ahead of its 2026 MONEYVAL review

July 22, 2025

The Isle of Man’s 2025 Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment identifies an overall medium-low risk of terrorist financing, with the most significant threat stemming from the potential misuse of its financial system for transit-based financing. The assessment highlights strong cross-sector collaboration, robust regulatory frameworks, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the jurisdiction’s resilience ahead of its 2026 MONEYVAL evaluation…

Wolfsberg reaffirms its commitment to the RBA, urging banks to embed ‘Proportionality, Prioritisation, and Effectiveness’ in FC controls, with plans to update its 2006 RBA Framework and 2015 FAQs

July 22, 2025

It urges institutions to tailor controls to their specific risk profiles and business contexts (proportionality), focus resources on higher‑risk customers and activities rather than applying blanket measures (prioritisation), and ensure programmes deliver measurable, outcome‑driven results (effectiveness). The statement also commits to formally updating its 2006 RBA guidance and 2015 risk assessment FAQs…

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