Our extensive knowledge at your fingertips

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:

Latest editions

Search

An INTERPOL-coordinated international operation targeting drug trafficking in Southeast Asia led to the record-breaking seizure of synthetic drugs valued at USD1.05 bn

INTERPOL’s real-time intelligence exchange significantly enhanced the operation’s success, including analysing 291 kilograms of cocaine washed ashore in Vietnam and adding the data to its relief database for tracking future shipments. The relief database offers advanced analysis of drug packaging while Interpol’s secure platform and I-RAID program support systematic drug trafficking data management and combat operations…

Reuters: Former Swedbank CEO Bonnesen sentenced to prison in money laundering case

Swedbank’s CEO Birgitte Bonnesen, denied all charges related to a ML scandal in its Baltic operations and was acquitted by a district court in 2023. The Court of Appeal found her guilty on one count but acquitted her of six others. The CEO who led the bank from 2016 to 2019, has denied the charges.

 

 

FBI’s 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report reveals over $5.6 bn in reported losses due to cryptocurrency fraud, detailing various types of fraud such as scams and Ponzi schemes

In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 69,000 complaints from the public regarding cyber-enabled crime and financial fraud involving the use of cryptocurrency, with over $5.6 billion in reported losses. Criminal actors exploit cryptocurrencies for all schemes, to include tech support, confidence and romance, investment, and government impersonation scams. Investment fraud was the most reported cryptocurrency scheme in 2023, and also saw the most reported losses, with about $3.9 billion lost.

National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) releases its first Annual report for 2023/24, focusing on its efforts to combat ML, fraud, and other financial crimes

The report identifies the ability to share and leverage data with banks and other key private sector counterparts as a key determinant of future success. It cites existing partnerships with crypto analysis specialists that are starting to uncover many previously hidden leads as evidence of the opportunity in this area…

FinCEN releases a comprehensive analysis on check fraud linked to mail theft, reporting more than $688 Million in suspicious activity in the 6 months

FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki emphasized the importance of financial institutions BSA filings in combating mail theft-related check fraud, which affects communities nationwide. In collaboration with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FinCEN aims to raise awareness of this fraud, which impacts personal savings, business accounts, and financial institutions covering losses…

At the Financial Crime Summit London, FCA emphasizes a targeted, outcomes-based strategy for combating financial crime, highlighting the use of emerging technologies and innovative solutions

Key points from Ms Pritchard’s speech include: Fighting financial crime is one of the FCA’s priorities and is a key commitment in its 3-year strategy; In line with the national economic crime plan and fraud strategy, the FCA’s work on financial crime is based on a partnership approach. It has been working with partners across the whole UK system, through the UK’s public and private partnerships and the economic crime plan, whilst also driving a more integrated and targeted approach to tackling financial crime across the FCA…

NCA publishes issue 27 of SARs in Action

This edition provides case studies focusing on the role of professional enablers among banks, MSBs, legal services, etc. in facilitating criminals in illicit finance.

FCA releases its Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24, summarising major regulatory actions, enforcement activities, and policy developments

The report includes significant achievements and progress made by the FCA during the financial year, notable trends observed in the financial sector and regulatory environment…

 

Europol and the Basel Institute co-host a Global Conference on Cryptocurrencies and Financial Crime, focusing on developing a strategic approach to enhancing security

These public-private collaborations have enabled officers to trace illicit crypto transactions across multiple blockchains before ultimately seizing the funds, de-anonymising the perpetrators and often being able to return significant quantities of crypto assets to victims…

EU hosted a meeting of the Africa Joint Group of the FATF to assess the progress of jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in their AML & CTF measures

The European Union recognises the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism as a priority both to ensure the security of its citizens and to preserve the integrity of the international financial system. The key elements in this process are effective anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism policies, in line with international standards such as those set by the FATF…

Guardian: Oligarchs have successfully challenged the UK’s fraud squad and emerged victorious

A former police officer was at home by the South African coast when he received a call about the suspicious death of geologist. After Bekker’s charred body was discovered in his burned Audi Quattro in Johannesburg, Jackson agreed to investigate the case initially considering the possibility of suicide. However, evidence suggested the fire was intentionally set leading Jackson to believe it was a murder…

OECD issues policy paper on ‘Regulatory Approaches to Artificial Intelligence in Finance’ providing an analysis of how different jurisdictions are addressing the use of AI in the financial sector

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in finance has increased rapidly in recent years, with the potential to deliver important benefits to market participants and to improve customer welfare. At the same time, AI in finance could also amplify existing risks in financial markets and create new ones. This report analyses different regulatory approaches to the use of AI in finance in 49 OECD and non-OECD jurisdictions based on the Survey on Regulatory Approaches to AI in Finance…