Log in/out

Our extensive knowledge at your fingertips

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.

Browse the resource database or make a sub-selection:

Menu

Latest editions

Search

U

AUSTRAC launches AML starter kits to help small businesses in legal, accounting, real estate, conveyancing, and jewellery sectors prepare for AML/CTF rules effective 1 July 2026

January 30, 2026

The kits provide step-by-step guidance and practical tools to help businesses build scalable, risk-based AML programs, reduce compliance costs, and better identify and manage money-laundering and terrorism-financing risks, as part of broader AML reforms aimed at preventing organised crime from exploiting professional services…

Europol’s Internet Referral Unit 2024 Transparency Report shows how the unit is tackling terrorist and extremist content online, leveraging platform partnerships to safeguard digital spaces

January 30, 2026

The report details the IRU’s activities in 2024, including trends in online Islamic State, Al-Shabaab and other extremist content, proactive referrals to tech platforms, and expanded cooperation with Member States and civil society to enhance content moderation effectiveness. It also highlights progress in transparency and safeguards — such as appeals mechanisms, data protection measures and publishing regular metrics — aimed at balancing security, fundamental rights and the fight against illicit online material…

BaFin publishes ‘Guidance on ICT Risks in the Use of AI in FIs’, urging firms to strengthen operational resilience by managing AI ICT risks across governance, monitoring, and third-party dependencies

January 30, 2026

The guidance provides practical, non‑binding recommendations for embedding AI risk management across the entire AI lifecycle—from collecting and preparing data, developing and deploying systems, to monitoring performance and safely retiring them. It stresses the importance of strong governance, clear responsibilities, and effective oversight to ensure AI systems are reliable and secure. BaFin also highlights managing third-party and outsourcing risks, as many AI systems depend on external vendors or cloud services that…

AUSTRAC’s Operation Taipan uncovers a $62M cash-laundering network using ATMs during COVID-19 lockdowns, showcasing the impact of real-time intelligence in disrupting organised crime

January 29, 2026

The report on Operation Taipan outlines how a long-running investigation uncovered complex money-laundering activities linked to organised crime, leading to a series of criminal and civil actions against individuals and entities involved in high-volume cash movements and illicit financial flows. It also highlights how lessons from the operation including enhanced data analytics, stronger information sharing between AUSTRAC and law enforcement, and increased industry engagement have informed broader AML/CTF strategy…

NCA and NatWest launch joint campaign to help businesses combat invoice fraud, urging firms to verify payments, spot fake invoices, and strengthen defences against increasingly sophisticated scams

January 29, 2026

The campaign targets accounts payable and finance teams, offering practical guidance: Check for changes to invoice or bank details, Verify by contacting suppliers directly, and Never transfer money until confident the payment is correct. The initiative is supported by an info sheet, a social media campaign, and the Home Office’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign, aiming to raise awareness, strengthen defences, and disrupt…

US DOJ obtains legal title to over $400M in seized cryptocurrency, real estate, and other assets linked to Helix, a darknet cryptocurrency-mixing service used to launder illicit proceeds

January 29, 2026

The assets were tied to Helix operator Larry Dean Harmon, who pleaded guilty to money-laundering conspiracy, and the forfeiture follows a final court order transferring the seized assets to the U.S. government. Authorities said the Helix mixer processed hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency transactions connected largely to darknet drug markets, underscoring continued enforcement against…

Europol dismantles a transnational migrant smuggling network, arresting 16, raiding six sites, and uncovering a pyramid-style operation funneling people from Türkiye to Western Europe

January 29, 2026

The coordinated action resulted in 16 arrests, searches at six locations, and seizures of mobile phones, documents, and records linked to the criminal organisation. Europol reports the network operated with a pyramid‑style structure, with a core group in Sofia, mainly Bulgarian and Syrian nationals, coordinating transit arrangements and working closely with allied smugglers in neighbouring countries…

OFSI intensifies its crackdown on cryptoasset abuse, through the multi-agency Crypto Cash Fusion Cell and real-time intelligence to trace, disrupt, and stop illicit funds linked to sanctions evasion

January 29, 2026

OFSI is stepping up action against the misuse of cryptoassets, working closely with UK law enforcement and regulators through the multi-agency Crypto Cash Fusion Cell (CCFC)—which brings together the NCA, Metropolitan Police, HMRC, FCA, City of London Police, and OFSI itself—to trace, investigate, and disrupt illicit funds linked to sanctions evasion. By sharing intelligence and partnering with private sector experts like Elliptic, the CCFC rapidly converts real-time data into operational outcomes, sending a clear message that exploiting cryptoassets…

FCA releases its first ‘Enforcement Watch’ Newsletter, revealing 23 new regulatory and crypto misconduct, cases, weak FC controls, and key enforcement priorities

January 28, 2026

In first edition of ‘Enforcement Watch’ newsletter, the FCA explains how it is applying its updated enforcement publicity policy, confirms 23 new investigations opened between June and December 2025, and outlines action across firms, issuers and individuals. It also highlights priority risks including consumer harm, governance and financial-crime control failures, unauthorised and crypto-related activity, and the growing role of cross-border cooperation in tackling scams and misconduct…

EBA launches its Pillar 3 Data Hub, a centralised platform giving public access to harmonised bank data across the EEA, boosting transparency, market discipline, and supervisory oversight

January 28, 2026

The hub publishes data already submitted by large and other institutions, allows users to analyse disclosures through visualisation tools, and enables bulk downloads for deeper research, strengthening transparency, market discipline, and confidence in the EU financial system. Following a testing phase, institutions are now submitting their published Pillar 3 reports to the platform under transitional arrangements, with the first full dataset covering the June, September, and December 2025 reference dates expected to be available by June 2026, marking the completion of the onboarding period…

CBUAE unveils Middle East’s first biometric payment solution, a proof‑of‑concept pilot enabling payments via facial and palm recognition as part of the UAE’s Digital Economy Strategy

January 28, 2026

The initiative is being tested at the Dubai Land Department through the bank’s Sandbox Programme and Innovation Hub, developed in partnership with Network International and powered by PopID, and is designed to boost security, convenience and innovation in the national payments ecosystem while supporting the UAE’s vision of a digitally advanced financial future…

Hong Kong regulators strengthen collaboration to tackle increasingly sophisticated fraud, combining supervision, data-protection oversight, and public awareness efforts to enhance banks’ resilience

January 27, 2026

HKMA and the Privacy Commissioner announced enhanced cooperation to assess and improve banks’ anti-fraud systems and data security controls, with HKMA focusing on the effective implementation of anti-fraud measures and the PCPD reviewing personal data protection practices. They also plan joint publicity, education and outreach efforts with law enforcement and industry partners to raise public awareness of evolving scam tactics and highlight the importance of safeguarding personal and financial information…

No results found.