AML Conversations

This week, John and Elliot discuss the outcomes of the October FATF Plenary, a recent investigative report about former government officials giving advice on sanctions compliance, the US Treasury’s National Strategy on Financial Inclusion, FINTRAC’s recent bulletin on the risks of Canadian lawyers not having to comply with AML rules, and several other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

Mark Freedman of Rebel Global Security returns to AML Conversations and discusses a new era of Great Power Competition (GPC) between the United States, China, and Russia, which now dominates international politics - and its security impacts on the private sector. He points out that nation-state cyber-attacks on privately owned critical infrastructure, foreign espionage to steal intellectual property, and malign foreign investments are just a few of the tactics shaping the 21st-century battlefield. Mark offers specific suggestions on Enterprise Security Risk Management to combat these threats.

This week, John and Elliot discuss remarks by the US Attorney for Puerto Rico, the UK’s FCA’s warning to “finfluencers” about not promoting scams on social media platforms, the OCC’s action against Axiom Bank for AML program problems, an interview with the new FATF president, and several other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

Doug Gilmer, President and founder of Resolved Strategies and former Senior Law Enforcement Liaison at the Center for Countering Human Trafficking, shares insights on combating human and labor trafficking. He discusses the vital role of financial institutions in disrupting trafficking networks and the challenges faced therein. Gilmer also highlights the dark realities of forced labor and advocates for victim-focused approaches. Collaboration among nonprofits is essential for tackling these urgent issues, emphasizing the impact of survivor voices in law enforcement.

This week, John and Elliot discuss a new report from the FACT Coalition, Money Laundering from Environmental Crime: Typologies and Trends in Countries in the Amazon Region, new guidance issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security about compliance with Export Administration Regulations, new sanctions issued by the US and Canada against a sham charity fundraising for the PFLP, a reminder from IRS about the Tax-Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool and making safe charitable contributions, and several other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

This week, John and Elliot discuss a new report from the UN Office of Drugs and Crime on Transnational Organized Crime and the Convergence of Cyber-Enabled Fraud, Underground Banking, and Technological Innovation: A Shifting Threat Landscape, an article on the use of cryptocurrencies in election disinformation, FCA’s recent fining of Starling Bank over its failure to have an adequate financial crime prevention program, the latest US sanctions of Hamas and several other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

We spoke to Guy Ficco, Chief of IRS:CI, about his first six months in the position, IRS:CI's international activities, multi-agency outreach activities about fentanyl, and the continuing challenges of the increase in frauds.

John and Elliot dive into the latest commentary on compliance programs, emphasizing The Wolfsberg Group's recommendations to enhance financial crime oversight. They explore new DOJ guidelines for corporate compliance and a proposed anti-corruption bill in the Senate. The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer is highlighted as a crucial resource for understanding crime trends. The discussion also touches on cultural protection efforts and recent legislative moves against corruption and human trafficking, underlining the ongoing battle against crime and corruption.

This week, John and Elliot discuss a release from the G7 on preventing the evasion of Russian sanctions and export controls, reported payments for Yevgeny Prigozhin made through Western banks, FATF’s report on its recent mutual evaluation of India, the Financial Conduct Authority’s recent insights on fraud, and several other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

Julia Yansura, Project Director for the FACT Coalition, discusses the new policy brief, Environmental Crimes Pose Unique Illicit Finance Challenges.