As Germany moves forward with plans to streamline account openings for hundreds of thousands of refugees, criminals are taking steps to exploit the process, a financial crime expert said Wednesday.
Mexico will soon draft a sanctions list targeting drug traffickers and money launderers, South Africa's central bank fined four banks for AML deficiencies, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The U.S. Justice Department plans to take creative steps to combat the abuse of virtual currencies, Nigeria risks suspension from FATF if it fails to boost its AML legislation before June 1, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Prominent Bitcoin advocate Charlie Shrem is in plea talks after federal prosecutors accused him of agreeing to help launder over $1 million in bitcoins, Maldives' Parliament approved new AML legislation, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The National Bank of Ukraine is investigating approximately 10 banks for possible money laundering, Nepal's Parliament approved three AML bills, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The son of Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema has been indicted for money laundering in France, Brazilian authorities dismantled a $4 billion money laundering operation, and more, in this week's roundup.
Swiss authorities froze the assets of nine associates of Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovich, Chinese nationals are increasingly using state-backed bankcards to circumvent currency restrictions, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Russias central bank revoked the licenses of three banks, the U.S. State Department published its annual International Narcotics Control Strategy report, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Some criminals in Australia are using Bitcoin to launder the proceeds of drug shipments, Cambodia approved new legislation that strengthens the mechanisms for freezing terrorist assets, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The IMF found Panama partially compliant or noncompliant with 45 FATF recommendations, Israel's central bank warned that Bitcoin is not considered legal tender, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Mexicos Sinaloa cartel is expanding its drug sales in Hong Kong, the U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted three members of the Pakistan-based Haqqani Network, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The U.S. Treasury penalized the Bank of Moscow for doing business with Iran's Bank Melli, Sen. Grassley vowed to grill the Justice Department about it's plan to allow banking for marijuana distributors, the U.N. voted to ban ransom payments to terror groups, and more.
The Vatican Bank asked Italy to drop financial sanctions implemented in 2010, St. Maarten officials arrested Patrick Illidge, a lawmaker in the country, for allegedly laundering bribes, and more, in the midweek roundup.
U.S. House leaders will pick up a Senate bill that would impose new sanctions against Iran, German tax authorities are investigating over 100 clients of the Swiss arm of Israel's Bank Leumi, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Turkey's state-owned Halkbank plans to continue processing oil and gas payments on behalf of Iran, French authorities are investigating the comedian known as Dieudonné for allegedly laundering money, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Iranian authorities arrested a businessman blacklisted by the United States for corruption charges, Latvia's adoption of the euro will likely result in an influx of dirty money in the European Union, and more, in the midweek roundup.
A former Ohio deputy treasurer pleaded guilty to bribery and money laundering, Malta's financial intelligence unit is planning to conduct a national risk assessment, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers approved a bill that strengthens controls over terrorist financing, Austrac fined an MSB Over $200,000 for failing to have its affiliates registered, and more, in the midweek roundup.