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GIABA commends Sierra Leone for strengthening its AML/CFT laws, resulting in several re-ratings, but notes that gaps remain in addressing WMD financing

Sierra Leone’s new AML/CFT/PF Act 2024 addresses key deficiencies, improving compliance with FATF standards and earning re-ratings on multiple recommendations. However, progress on Recommendation 7 remains insufficient for an upgrade, signalling areas for further improvements…

GIABA notes Nigeria’s improved technical compliance with FATF Rec. 24, 25, 28, and 32 but urges stronger PEPs monitoring, and enhanced international enforcement cooperation

While improvements made by Nigeria have been recognised with respect to Recommendations 22 and 23, they remain insufficient for an upgrade. GIABA acknowledges these advancements, but further efforts are needed to fully align with FATF standards…

 

 

 

EU Tax Observatory study reveals that BO transparency is a key factor in reducing illicit offshore investment in UK real estate

The findings suggest that transparency measures have increased the cost of anonymous investments. However, the study also points to challenges in full implementation, as some investors continue to hide their ownership. The report underscores the need for stronger enforcement to ensure wider compliance and to amplify the impact of these reforms on global property markets…

RUSI hosts the Netherlands FIU Head in an STR podcast, discussing the country’s approach to illicit finance, evolving financial crime, and international collaboration

The podcast discusses how these illicit activities fund criminal organizations, destabilize governments and enable terrorism making them significant threats to national and international stability. The podcast also highlights the urgent need for robust policy responses, emphasizing the role of democracies and international institutions in strengthening financial regulations, improving enforcement mechanisms, and fostering cross-border…

 

Europol and Latin America bust major cocaine trafficking network in Ecuador, exposing front companies and illicit money flows – 36 arrested, 73 tonnes seized

The network employed a sophisticated method to launder drug proceeds, using front companies that acted as legitimate businesses to disguise illicit financial activities. These companies were often set up to create the illusion of lawful operations while facilitating the flow of illicit money. Additionally, transport firms were enlisted to handle the logistical aspect of moving the cocaine, using their legitimate operations to cover up the trafficking…

 

 

RUSI releases policy discussion paper on private sector collaboration to detect economic crime with global legislative changes, new P2P information-sharing frameworks and cross-border risk collaboration

This paper explores recent legislative changes in the UK, EU, Singapore, Canada, and Australia that enhance private sector collaboration in detecting economic crime. It highlights new frameworks for private-to-private information sharing, focusing on data-driven risk assessments, joint investigations, and cross-border intelligence sharing, while emphasizing the need for public sector support to maximize impact…

FATF’s report ‘Detecting, Disrupting, and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’ highlights the financial flows behind these crimes and calls for urgent action from authorities and FIs

The report highlights how cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, anonymous payment processors, and underground banking networks are exploited to move illicit funds across borders. Dark web markets, peer-to-peer transactions, and unregulated digital payment platforms further obscure the financial trails, making detection and disruption more challenging…

 

The Law Society Gazette reports that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett was fined £300K for historical AML breaches, including failures in risk assessments and compliance policies

The firm was alleged to have failed to have, in compliance with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, to carry out a firm-wide risk assessment between June 2017 and March 2020, and, between June 2017 and January 2023, failed to have in place fully compliant policies, controls or procedures…

FCA accelerates investigations, drops public interest transparency proposal amid industry concerns

The FCA is ramping up enforcement, improving investigation speed, and refining transparency measures. While dropping its proposal to shift from an “exceptional circumstances” test to a “public interest” test for announcing investigations into regulated firms, it will move forward with widely supported changes—confirming public-domain cases, increasing disclosures on unregulated firms’ misconduct, and publishing anonymised investigation details.

UNODC’s Afghanistan Drug Insights reveal that opium prices have reached historic highs, boosting profits for large-scale traffickers, despite a decline in trafficking activities

Opiate trafficking has dropped, but high prices sustain massive profits for organised crime. Stockpiles could meet global demand until 2027, raising concerns over economic instability and a potential shift to synthetic opioids…

 

OFSI updates Financial sanctions guidance for High-Value Dealers & Art Market Participants to strengthen compliance, raise awareness and address potential enforcement gaps

Individuals and firms must ensure that firms in these sectors are fully prepared for the new reporting requirements, which will enhance compliance and minimize the risk of regulatory breaches…

 

 

IRS convicts cryptocurrency founder for wire fraud and ML in the AML Bitcoin scheme for defrauding investors through fraudulent marketing and sales

The conviction stems from fraudulent marketing and misrepresentation of AML Bitcoin’s technology and business, including false claims about its partnership with the Panama Canal Authority. Andrade diverted over US $2 m in investor funds for personal expenses, such as property and luxury cars…

 

 

 

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