Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 221

Welcome to episode 221 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a coordinated international push against Iranian repression, while in the US the Treasury has opened a path for established firms to resume Venezuelan oil exports. In the UK, the Upper Tribunal has upheld FCA findings of a lack of integrity against Rangecourt SA and its former executives, and the FCA has also warned that modernising the UK's payment landscape must include enhanced protections and reimbursement schemes for victims of authorised push payment APP scams. Finally, we cover the federal conviction of an Ohio fraud and bribery conspiracy and a multi-year effort by the US and Indonesia to strengthen asset recovery. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 220

Welcome to episode 220 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a major escalation in international sanctions, as the EU targets 15 individuals and six entities in Iran for human rights abuses and military support for Russia, while the UK’s OFSI announces a sweeping overhaul of its enforcement framework. In the fraud and money laundering sectors, the National Audit Office has criticised the Ministry of Defence for recovering just 48p for every £1 spent on counter-fraud efforts, and HMRC has published a list of hundreds of businesses fined for anti-money laundering breaches. Finally, we cover significant legal milestones in the U.S., including the first-ever $1m anti trust whistle-blower reward involving a car auction bid−rigging scheme and the federal seizure of over $400 million linked to the Helix darknet crypto mixer. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 219

Welcome to episode 219 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with the UK government’s proposal to establish a new National Police Service, dubbed a "British FBI." In sanctions news, the US Treasury has designated nine vessels linked to Iran’s "shadow fleet," OFSI has fined Bank of Scotland for Russia-related breaches, and a UN expert has urged the US to lift sanctions against International Criminal Court officials. We also consider significant enforcement action, including an 18-year sentence for a fraud courier, a 46-month sentence of a Chinese national for money laundering, and bribery charges unsealed against a former NATO procurement official. Furthermore, we look at a £5.6 million confiscation order against a professional launderer tied to a massive Bitcoin fraud and a landmark report warning that fraud may soon constitute half of all crime in England and Wales. Finally, we cover the EU’s progress on a new Anti-Corruption Directive and the FCA’s warning to consumers regarding the risks of high-risk securities under the new public offers regime. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 218

Welcome to episode 218 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at decisive action from the US Treasury targeting a hidden Hamas support network using nonprofit fronts and a major Costa Rica-based cocaine trafficking and money laundering operation. In the UK, the City of London Police launched the "Report Fraud" service, and the SFO has charged two former executives following the collapse of the prepaid funeral provider. We also look at significant global compliance shifts, including a former TD Bank employee’s guilty plea in a $26 million laundering scheme and MONEYVAL reports highlighting strengthened AML frameworks in Azerbaijan and Estonia. Finally, we look at the IMF’s new governance diagnostic for Nepal and the transition to the UK Sanctions List as the sole authoritative source for domestic designations.  A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 217

Welcome to episode 217 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with the US Treasury sanctioning 21 entities and individuals involved in Houthi oil smuggling and weapons procurement, while the EU marks a historic structural shift as the European Banking Authority transfers all AML/CFT mandates to the new AMLA. We examine the SFO’s conviction of three directors in a £70 million "ethical forestry" fraud and the FCA’s £309,843 fine against a consultant for repeated insider dealing. Furthermore, we discuss South Africa’s legislative push to close FATF gaps via its updated 2025 Amendment Bill, and a stern warning from a UK Treasury Select Committee that regulators are moving too slowly to address the systemic risks posed by the rapid integration of AI. Finally, we consider the industrialisation of cybercrime, the NCSC’s warning regarding escalating pro-Russian DDoS attacks on UK infrastructure, and new research into how youth cybercrime often begins with everyday online risk-taking. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial [http://www.crimes.financial/].