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Swiss Fedpol’s 2024 report indicates a surge in ML, paedophile crimes, and threats against law enforcement officers, underlining the growing complexity of digital and financial crime challenges

The report underscores how criminal networks are increasingly exploiting emerging technologies to conceal transactions, launder money, and disseminate illegal content. As digital crime networks become more sophisticated, the urgency for cross-border collaboration, advanced analytics, and stronger crypto compliance frame…

NCA issues its first INTERPOL Silver Notice to track and seize assets from Anopkumar Maudhoo, the orchestrator of an £8.5m property fraud scheme involving ML and fake identities

This landmark use of a Silver Notice signals a growing global push to choke off illicit financial flows, and financial crime units should prepare for expanded use of asset tracing tools beyond traditional red notices…

Eurojust assists in takedown of large-scale money mule network linked to sophisticated online fraud, laundering over €3m in illicit profits

The criminal group orchestrated a sophisticated fraud scheme primarily using Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams in which they impersonated legitimate companies to deceive victims into transferring funds into accounts under their control. Over 113 victims have been identified across Europe, with a significant number located in the United Kingdom. To launder the stolen funds, the group recruited hundreds of money mules…

Vatican’s ASIF 2024 report reveals 35% drop in SARs, underscoring enhanced accuracy, streamlined processes, and strengthened global collaboration against financial crimes

The Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF) of the Vatican has published its 2024 Annual Report underscoring the Holy See’s ongoing dedication to meeting and exceeding international standards on AML/CFT. The report highlights several key initiatives and accomplishments that reflect the Vatican’s efforts to foster greater transparency, accountability, and compliance with global financial integrity frameworks…

CSSF’s Outsourcing Circular aligns with DORA, repeals rules to boost risk management, governance, and cyber risk oversight, while ensuring strong AML compliance in outsourced functions

The CSSF simplifies the regulatory landscape and ensures financial institutions adopt a more robust, EU-consistent approach to third-party risk, ICT outsourcing, and cloud services. This reflects the growing complexity of outsourced services and the need for enhanced resilience…

FinCEN’s 2024 analysis uncovers $1.4bn in suspicious fentanyl-drug related transactions, exposing cartel-driven ML and trafficking networks linked to Mexico and China

The report sheds light on the sophisticated tactics used to launder illicit fentanyl proceeds, including the involvement of front companies, money mules, and intermediaries. Many of the transactions are carried out through unconventional methods, such as peer-to-peer transfers or cash transactions. The analysis also reveals the significant role of cross-border financial networks that span the U.S., Mexico, and China, indicating the global nature of the…

NCA secures a landmark victory with its first UK sanctions breach convictions, as former Russian official and his relative are found guilty of evading sanctions and ML

The convictions are a direct result of efforts to enforce the UK’s robust sanctions regime, which was introduced to exert economic pressure on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. In this case, Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, the former Governor of Sevastopol, a city illegally annexed by Russia, was found guilty of circumventing UK sanctions. His family members, particularly his brother, also played a role in facilitating the breach, further solidifying the NCA’s…

MAS consults on AML/CFT rule changes to explicitly include proliferation financing in risk assessments, align with FATF standards, and clarify STR filing expectations

MAS consults on amendments to AML/CFT Notices to explicitly include proliferation financing (PF) in money laundering risk assessments and align trustee-related rules with revised FATF standards. It also proposes updates to AML/CFT Guidelines to clarify supervisory expectations and improve the timeliness of suspicious transaction reporting…

Companies House launches voluntary identity verification to enhance data reliability, protect the register from misuse, and bolster the UK’s defences against fraud and economic crime

By verifying the identities of individuals setting up, running, or controlling companies, the government aims to increase transparency, reduce money laundering, and prevent fraud. This measure is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which grants Companies House enhanced powers to ensure the integrity of the UK’s business register. The service helps prevent criminals from using false identities to set up shell…

Europol and Italian authorities dimantle a sophisticated counterfeit euro network, seizing €180K in fake currency, while uncovering cryptocurrency payments and online distribution methods

The operation, which spanned multiple European countries, revealed an intricate network that used cryptocurrency for payments and relied on online platforms for the distribution of counterfeit banknotes. Investigators uncovered a well-organized criminal group in southern Italy, operating with high technical expertise and using encrypted messaging platforms to facilitate transactions…

CoLP reports £649m lost to investment fraud in 2024, with 66% tied to cryptocurrency scams, as fraudsters increasingly exploit social media and impersonate trusted figures

Criminals exploited social media platforms and fake celebrity endorsements to run increasingly sophisticated cryptocurrency scams across the UK in 2024, with the CoLP reporting that younger victims were disproportionately affected as total losses from investment fraud surpassed £649m…

 

FATF PSCF 2025 calls for stronger public-private collaboration to strengthen AML/CTF efforts, focusing on updated ‘travel rule’ standards and digital innovation for financial inclusion

Key discussions focused on updating the Travel Rule and finding the right balance between payment transparency and data protection. Participants emphasised the need for better information sharing and greater alignment between AML/CFT and privacy frameworks. Digital tools were also recognised as important enablers of financial inclusion….

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