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Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing

United Kingdom

This section covers AML/CTF initiatives by FCA, HMT, HMRC, JMLSG and other related UK organisations.

FCA Financial Crime: Guide for firms
HM Treasury Money Laundering Prevention
HMRC Money Laundering Regulations
JMLSG industry Guidance
FATCA UK Regulations 2013
FATCA UK Regulations Guidance 2013
Gambling Commission Money Laundering
National Crime Agency updates

And many more…

 

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CoLP Domestic Corruption Unit arrests the Chief Executive of the Police Federation of England & Wales and 2 senior officials on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position in a financial misconduct probe

March 4, 2026

Krishna, aged 46, was the first civilian to lead the PFEW, which represents over 140,000 rank-and-file police officers. He was taken into custody alongside two other senior figures linked to the federation in coordinated raids across multiple sites, including the PFEW headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey. The investigation, described by authorities as complex and active, is examining multiple lines of inquiry. While details remain limited due to the ongoing nature of the probe, media reports highlight Krishna’s controversial tenure…

OPBAS’s latest report warns that despite progress across 41,000+ firms, PBSs still fshow gaps in AML enforcement and intelligence sharing, urging sharper action as the FCA takes on direct supervision

March 3, 2026

OPBAS reports that while professional-body supervisors (PBSs) overseeing lawyers and accountants are generally more effective than at any point since 2018, weaknesses persist in areas such as enforcement action, supervisory consistency and intelligence-sharing. The watchdog also raises concerns that the dual role of some bodies as both membership organisations and AML supervisors may limit their willingness to take robust disciplinary action, as the UK prepares to transition to a simplified supervisory model in which the FCA…

HMT publishes guidance on Using Digital Identities with the MLRs, clarifying that regulated firms can use certified digital identities on the DVS Register to meet AML customer due diligence requirements

February 26, 2026

These digital identities—covering individuals and company directors—allow firms to verify identity securely without physical documents, while still requiring firms to apply risk assessments, enhanced due diligence where needed, and maintain full compliance and record-keeping responsibilities. Essentially, certified digital identities provide legal certainty and efficiency in AML checks but do not replace the broader obligations of regulated entities…

HMT’s Payments Forward Plan 2026 sets a 3-year roadmap to modernise payments with Open Banking, a potential Digital Pound, and stronger fraud safeguards, helping firms innovate while tackling FC

February 26, 2026

It aims to streamline regulation such as consolidating the Payment Systems Regulator into the FCA and updating the Payment Services and E‑Money Regulations while enhancing competition, transparency, and consumer protections. The Plan also prioritises fraud prevention, APP scam mitigation, digital verification, and alignment with AML frameworks, giving firms clarity and capacity to innovate, plan, and manage financial crime risks across the payments ecosystem…

UK GC Chief Executive warns at the BGC AGM 2026 that illegal gambling operators tied to organised crime are exploiting digital platforms and crypto payments to evade regulation, raising FC risks

February 26, 2026

He highlighted how unlicensed platforms exploit digital channels, affiliates, and social media to reach UK consumers, while using payment methods such as cryptoassets to evade regulatory oversight and anti-money laundering controls. Miller emphasised that tackling this illicit ecosystem requires collaboration not only with the gambling industry but also with technology companies, financial institutions, and government bodies through initiatives such as the Illegal Gambling Taskforce. At the same time, he argued that maintaining a competitive…

UK Home Office’s 2024‑25 UWO report shows 5 high-impact orders granted, including the SFO’s first – recovering nearly £24M in illicit assets and reinforcing UWOs as powerful tools against complex FC

February 25, 2026

The report states that two UWO applications were made to the High Court between May 2023 and May 2024, with one order granted during the period and another awaiting judicial decision, while an additional order from the previous reporting year was also approved. It emphasises that UWOs are designed for complex, high-value cases involving politically exposed persons or individuals linked to serious crime, and notes that authorities often rely on other asset-recovery tools, with £62.9 million recovered through civil recovery orders in 2023–2024…

RUSI’s paper on Privacy-Enhancing Technologies in Crypto explores how tools like zero-knowledge proofs and confidential stablecoins protect users while helping regulators in combating FC

February 25, 2026

The paper stresses that collaboration between regulators, law enforcement, and developers is essential to design effective PETs and improve oversight, and it flags that current legal processes, like Mutual Legal Assistance, are too slow for crypto’s rapid transactions. Overall, it offers actionable guidance for policymakers, law enforcement, and industry to navigate privacy, innovation, and compliance in crypto…

NCA intelligence sharing leads to the arrest of 7 men in Nigeria running an online investment scam that used hundreds of fake Facebook a/cs to impersonate cryptocurrency traders and target UK & US victims

February 20, 2026

Working with Meta and the Nigerian Police, authorities dismantled a scam operation that used hundreds of fake Facebook accounts to impersonate cryptocurrency traders, post false reviews, and convince victims to transfer funds to accounts controlled by the network. The arrests mark a significant step in disrupting overseas fraud networks preying on UK citizens, and anyone who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to report it to local authorities…

UK Police Foundation Report on ‘Health Impact’ reveals that fraud inflicts hidden physical, emotional, and mental harms far beyond financial loss, urging systemic reforms and recognition of fraud as a public health issue, not just a FC

February 17, 2026

Victims often experience stress, anxiety, sleep problems, social withdrawal, and, in severe cases, thoughts of self-harm, with trust-based scams like romance fraud causing the deepest trauma. Support systems are fragmented, inconsistent, and rarely equipped to address these harms, leaving many victims without the help they need. The report calls for fraud to be recognised as a public health issue, urging systemic reforms including trauma-informed, victim-centred services,..

NCA and UK Policing leads warn child sexual abuse is increasing in severity, complexity, and accessibility, driven by online platforms, generative AI, and end-to-end encryption making detection harder

February 17, 2026

Offenders are using online communities to share and normalise abusive material, while livestreamed abuse and financially motivated sexual extortion are rising, particularly against boys. Despite NCA’s Child Sexual Exploitation Referrals Bureau receiving around 1,700 reports per week and police making about 1,000 potential offender arrests monthly, the scale of abuse remains high, highlighting the ongoing challenges of safeguarding children in the digital age…

NCA’s Cyber Prevent Reoffending report shows that early intervention can cut cybercrime and financial offending by redirecting young offenders’ technical skills toward lawful, constructive opportunities

February 16, 2026

The Cyber Prevent Reoffending report analyses outcomes of the NCA’s intervention aimed at diverting young people from cybercrime, showing an average relative reduction in proven reoffending for participants compared with similar offenders outside the programme. The findings support the value of prevention and diversion strategies — alongside enforcement — in tackling cyber offending and reducing future harm…

 

UK House of Lords urges the need for comprehensive AI legislation, warning that fragmented rules leave society exposed, calling for enforceable laws to ensure safety, fairness, and accountability

February 10, 2026

This means accountability, transparency, and safety protections are weak or inconsistent across sectors. The document calls for a new AI Regulation Bill that sets binding rules, creates independent oversight, and embeds principles like fairness, auditability, and public redress into law — to ensure AI benefits society while protecting people from harm…

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