Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Hello, and welcome to episode 162 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at developments in global financial crime enforcement, including the UK Information Tribunal's affirmation of OFSI's "Neither Confirm Nor Deny" approach to sanctions licence confidentiality, calls to strengthen UK whistleblower protections for sanctions enforcement, and the EU's latest sanctions against Russia. We also examine regulatory shifts, such as the Netherlands' ban on large cash transactions, North Macedonia's judicial anti-corruption reforms, and OFAC's $215 million penalty against GVA Capital for sanctions evasion. In cybersecurity, we highlight AI-powered payment fraud detection, the dark market for stolen data, and concerns over outdated security systems in financial services. Finally, we look at legal challenges surrounding deepfake fraud, crypto insolvencies, and evolving cyber deterrence strategies in national security. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Hello, and welcome to episode 161 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast – midweek edition – I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this first midweek episode, we cover significant developments in global sanctions, money laundering enforcement, and anti-corruption efforts. From the US imposing sanctions on ICC judges and Iran’s shadow banking network to a global coalition imposing sanctions on two Israeli politicians. We also look at Argentina’s Anti-Corruption Office clearing President Milei in the LIBRA scandal, Russia’s arrest of the Krasnoyarsk mayor on bribery charges, and the EU updating its list of high-risk financial crime jurisdictions. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available on Thursday at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Hello, and welcome to episode 160 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, we look at fresh developments in sanctions enforcement, money laundering crackdowns, and fraud investigations. The UK government is pressuring Roman Abramovich over £2.5 billion in frozen funds from Chelsea FC’s sale, while OFAC targets Guyanese and Colombian drug traffickers using narco-subs and secret airstrips. We explore how Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are strengthening financial crime investigations and discuss the European Commission’s push to grey-list Monaco over lingering AML deficiencies. Plus, AUSTRAC warns of AI-driven money laundering risks, and the EPPO takes down a €100 million VAT fraud network. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Hello, and welcome to episode 159 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, we cover developments in global financial crime enforcement, sanctions policy shifts, and emerging regulatory challenges. In the US, the Treasury has provided sanctions relief for Syria, while the EU has made a parallel decision. Switzerland has proposed an overhaul of money laundering laws, while India is making a diplomatic push for Pakistan’s reclassification on the FATF grey list. We look at cybersecurity threats, including OFAC’s sanctions on a Philippine firm enabling crypto scams, Europol’s efforts to dismantle ATM robbery networks, and Australia’s new ransomware payment disclosure law. From corporate transparency controversies in the US to news from the Annual Anti-Money Laundering Centre Conference. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Hello, and welcome to episode 158 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, we begin with the UK’s latest sanctions enforcement strategy, including new measures targeting Russia’s financial networks, extremist settler groups in the West Bank, and corruption in Moldova and Georgia. We then cover the UK’s 100 new sanctions in response to Russia’s largest drone attack on Ukraine, alongside updates on whistleblowing protections for trade sanctions violations. Next, we examine the EU’s 17th sanctions package, tightening restrictions on Russia’s shadow fleet and military suppliers, followed by the US sanctions on Sudan for chemical weapons use and OFAC’s designation of Cartel del Noreste leaders for terrorism and trafficking. We also discuss transparency concerns over £64 billion hidden in UK property trusts, Europol’s Operation ENDGAME dismantling ransomware infrastructure, and HSBC’s warning that cybercrime is now its biggest expense. Finally, we explore the rise of AI-driven market manipulation, the UK’s deregulation push, and Europol’s latest analysis on how criminal networks destabilise the EU. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available by Monday at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].