AfDB and CoDA launch US$5.9 million project to address financial crime, money laundering and tax avoidance
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) have launched a three-year support project to improve regional coherent and coordinated responses to illicit financial flows (IFFs). The project aims to ensure that policies and practices are mobilised to address financial…
China’s role in transnational crime and money laundering examined by former intelligence officer
A former US intelligence officer is alleging that the Chinese communist party is working with big business in widespread transnational crime and money laundering activities. Former CIA intelligence officer and treasury special agent John Cassara examines this scenario as he sees it in a new…
Gold-based money laundering rife in FTZs in Latin America and the Caribbean says OECD report
Free trade zones (FTZs) across Latin America and the Caribbean are vulnerable to illicit trade, according to a detailed and comprehensive new OECD report, Free trade zones and illicit gold flows in Latin America and the Caribbean. It focuses on the extensive use of gold-based…
Back-to-back and standby L/Cs used in sanctions evasion and money laundering says MENA financial crime guide
Back-to-back letters of credit (L/Cs) can be used as a sanctions evasion technique according to multiple sources who contributed to a new guide published by the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) chapter of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime (GCFFC) and the MENA…
Extortionists turn to cash intensive businesses to launder proceeds
Cash intensive local businesses are used to funnel proceeds of extortion into apparently legitimate business bank accounts according to a new report published by Global Financial Integrity (GFI). Proceeds of extortion have also been used by criminals to purchase businesses according to the report, Extortion in…
Global Forum reports on African plans and progress to stem IFFs
A lack of transparency facilitates all types of illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Africa, including money laundering and terrorism financing, corruption as well as tax evasion according to a new report published by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes….
Banks drawn into reputational laundering networks to obscure illicit gains
Reputation launderers, notably public relations agencies and law firms, are distorting the financial crime and sanctions risk profiles of kleptocratic regimes and oligarchs seeking to launder and protect their illicit gains according to academic and investigative researchers. Banks can also be drawn into reputation laundering…
Information from financial institutions a core function for FIUs says Egmont Group
Analysis of information received from financial institutions is a core function of financial intelligence units (FIUs), particularly in the asset recovery process according to a new report by the Egmont Group of FIUs. The group facilitates and prompts the global exchange of information, knowledge, and…
US government lost US$640 billion in a year through trade-based tax evasion and money laundering
Trade-based tax evasion and money laundering cost the US government more than US$640 billion in taxable income during 2021 according to a new report commissioned by Sēk Strategies, a Washington-based consultancy firm focused on transparency, accountability, human rights and the environment. The report is based…
Banks and institutions cannot be used for AML/CFT to combat virtual assets says Moneyval
Traditional forms of control that banks and institutions have on financial flows and services cannot be used to combat emerging money laundering and terrorist financing risks related to virtual assets according to the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) watchdog,…
