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FCA announces the arrest of four individuals on suspicion of insider dealing, conspiracy to insider deal and ML linked to organised crime

On 1 February 2024, the FCA working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) conducted a major operation to arrest 3 London based individuals on suspicion of insider dealing, conspiracy to insider deal and money laundering linked to organised crime.

FCA identifies four areas which can help to bolster efforts to reduce and prevent financial crime

The four areas focus on data and technology, collaboration, consumer awareness, and metrics (measuring efficiency). The FCA has also highlighted the role for other sectors to play, as sharing data and intelligence is central to tackling financial crime. It is continuing to strengthen relationships with jurisdictions where supervisory…

The NCA issues the SARs Reporter Booklet February 2024, summarising law enforcement feedback on the usage of SARs

Multiple reporters submitted a number of DAML SARs to return funds while exiting their relationship with the same business. Concerns
were held regarding multiple accounts held by the business, which frequently received high value payments that were transferred
in and out of the accounts, indicating potential money laundering…

FCA publishes research note reviewing maximal extractable value and blockchain oracles

This research analyses two novel concepts of blockchain technology, Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) and blockchain oracles. As well as expanding the functionality of decentralised financial applications, these features have been identified as introducing risks and potential sources of vulnerability…

Home Office undertakes an economic crime survey detailing whether UK businesses have experienced economic crime and the approaches to tackle it

Survey will question UK businesses to learn more about whether they have experienced economic crime and the approaches they take to tackle it.

 

UK Govt publishes response to consultation on ‘A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation’

The consultation highlights the importance of ensuring AI’s trustworthiness and public adoption through a strong pro-safety approach in order to realise the benefits of these technologies. The Govt announces over £100m to help realise new AI innovations and support regulators’ technical capabilities…

 

The CPS prosecutes 2 men for laundering more than £12m of criminally obtained cash in the UK

The CPS prosecuted Kuksov, and Dzetska, both of Kensington, London, following an investigation by the NCA. Kuksov played a leading role in running the illegal enterprise which laundered large sums of criminally derived cash for a fee…

The NCA releases a statement in response to the Virtual Global Taskforce regarding the impact of End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) and AI on combating online child sexual abuse

The Virtual Global Taskforce believes we have reached a significant technological tipping point with the roll out of End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) and the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The confluence of these developments significantly alters the online landscape and make the law enforcement response to tackling online child sexual abuse (CSA) increasingly complex.

Home Office’s response to the consultation on the Code of Practice issued under POCA 2002 can be found in the draft explanatory memorandum that accompanies the draft statutory instrument that will bring the revised code of practice into effect

Consultation was undertaken to reflect the changes made to the Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) regime.

UK Government releases guidance on money laundering reporting obligations in relation to the DAML exemption

The first amendment increases the threshold amount for a DAML application from GBP250 to GBP1,000, when a firm wishes to terminate a business relationship with a customer or client. The second one allows firms to pay away money or other property from a customer’s account where they know or suspect that part of the funds or property therein constitute criminal property…

$150m cryptocurrency seizure following US-UK cooperation

The head of a multi-million-dollar drug enterprise has pleaded guilty to supplying hundreds of kilograms of illegal drugs on a global scale. Singh, 40, of Haldwani, India, sold the drugs on dark web marketplaces, before personally shipping or arranging their shipment from Europe to destinations across the world. The investigation into Singh was led by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and supported…

 

 

NCA issues amber warning highlighting the sanctions evasion and ML risks presented to UK industries linked to the art storage sector

Art market participants are advised to ensure capacity to identify within their business any change in client status and suspicious activity relating to financial sanctions evasion, money laundering, cultural property trafficking, or other criminality.