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UK Gambling Commission charges 15 individuals with offences, following an investigation into alleged cheating linked to bets on the timing of the 2024 General Election

The investigation which began in June 2024, uncovered that several individuals allegedly had access to confidential information about the election date ahead of its public announcement. These individuals are accused of using this advance knowledge to place unfair bets, thus breaching Section 42 of the Gambling Act, which makes such actions a criminal offence…

UK Govt pledges £121m to boost quantum technology, reinforcing its research leadership while addressing key issues like crime, fraud, and ML, to drive economic growth

This initiative is also a part of the UK’s broader strategy to stimulate economic growth through technological innovation. By investing in quantum research and supporting its practical applications in sectors like finance, healthcare, and cybersecurity, the government hopes to not only strengthen its AML frameworks but also foster job creation, boost competitiveness, and secure the UK’s position as a global leader in advanced technology…

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…

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…

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…

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…

 

UK announces new sanctions on corrupt actors undermining democratic institutions, reinforcing its ongoing campaign against global corruption and illicit finance

UK sanctions pro-Kremlin operation responsible for destabilising Moldova. Cronies used by corrupt leaders to undermine democracy and rule of law in Georgia and Guatemala also included in new crackdown. Action marks latest step in Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle threats to UK from corruption and illicit finance…

CPS convicts five individuals for laundering £3.25m from romance fraud, using fake dating profiles to exploit victims with fraudulent financial requests

Edusei and others carried out romance fraud by creating fake dating profiles and deceiving victims into believing they were in real relationships. Using emotional manipulation, they persuaded victims to send money for fabricated emergencies such as failed business trips, fines, or lost wallets. Victims transferred funds via bank accounts or post until they either ran out of money or became suspicious. The stolen funds were then laundered through the offenders’ accounts…

HM Treasury publishes 2023-24 AML/CTF supervision report emphasising stricter oversight for high-risk sectors, gaps in supervision and BO transparency, and a risk-based enforcement strategy

The report outlines the activities of AML/CFT supervisors, covering data on supervisory and enforcement actions from both Public Sector and Professional Body Supervisors, highlighting key changes and fines issued. It introduces new metrics, detailing the training and guidance provided to firms, as well as trends in enforcement actions…

NCA’s 2024/25 Annual Plan prioritises tackling serious and organised crime, drug trafficking, immigration crime, and online fraud, while strengthening global cooperation

The NCA’s Annual Plan for 2024-2025 focuses on tackling the evolving threat of serious and organised crime, particularly in the digital space. With a focus on reducing harm, improving defenses, and dismantling criminal groups, key priorities include disrupting drugs, organised immigration crime, and online fraud…

UK Govt hosts a global summit on organised immigration crime, securing international cooperation and pledging over £30m to strengthen border security and disrupt smuggling networks

Key outcomes include international agreements to disrupt criminal networks, joint initiatives with France to tackle irregular migration at its source, and a £30 million UK funding package for security projects across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The summit also emphasized intelligence sharing, tackling online facilitation of OIC, and educating vulnerable communities on migration risks…

NCA’s Annual SARs report shows a 1.5% rise in submissions to 827,048, £240.1m denied via DAML requests, a 19% increase in DAFT SARs – underlining the need for accurate, high-quality reporting

The introduction of a higher DAML threshold and the new SARs Digital Service is improving operational efficiency, enabling law enforcement to more effectively tackle money laundering and related criminal activity. The UKFIU’s SARs Annual Report also highlights improvements in SARs reporting quality and the positive impact of recent technological advancements…

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