FATF and G20 anti-corruption group work towards aligning efforts

Tweet Delegates from the Financial Action Task Force (“FATF“) and the G20 Working Group on Anti-Corruption (“G20 ACWG“) met in Paris today to discuss ways in which both groups could liaise to further initiatives to enforce anti-money laundering (“AML“) and anti-corruption legislation worldwide. Pursuant to the meeting, the delegates determined that the following areas in […]

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists investigates role of professionals over offshore leaks advice

Tweet ICIJ focusing on professional advice given At the recent Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime Conference held by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists in Las Vegas, Michael Hudson, senior editor of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (“ICIJ“), gave an interesting presentation on the ICIJ’s work in exposing the use of offshore tax […]

Silk Road owner arrested over money laundering charges and allegations of ordering hit on man from Canada

Tweet Ross Ulbricht, allegedly the Dread Pirate Roberts and owner of the website Silk Road, was arrested by the FBI in San Francisco today at a public library and his popular website was shut down. Silk Road was an Internet-based website that accepted Bitcoin. Ulbricht was charged with money laundering conspiracy, computer hacking conspiracy and […]

Swiss and US enter into anti-tax evasion agreement with wide-reaching prosecution implications for Americans, foreigners, advisors and entities with which they are affiliated

Tweet Anti-Tax Evasion Agreement The U.S. Department of Justice and the Swiss Federal Department of Finance have entered into an agreement that essentially ends Swiss bank secrecy and the renown of Switzerland as a tax haven. The Agreement: Applies not just to American taxpayers but also to foreigners and foreign entities who maintain Swiss bank accounts […]

French government concerned over potential money laundering with vineyard purchases

Tweet Tracfin report highlights money laundering In its annual money laundering report, France’s Traitement du Renseignement et Action Contre les Circuits Financiers Clandestins (“Tracfin“) expressed concern over money laundering risks associated with the sale of France’s most renowned wineries to investors from China, Hong Kong and Russia. The concern stems from the increase in suspicious […]

Junket operators in Macau branching out in effort to improve reputation and diversify business but financial crime concerns remain

Tweet Junkets branching out According to this article by Reuters, traditional junket operators (also known as VIP gaming promoters) in Macau are branching out to diversify their businesses and improve their reputation. The largest junket operator, Suncity Group, is planning to open its own casino and has expanded into mining and iron ore operations in […]

G20 Summit to confirm commitment to enforcing anti-money laundering convention

Tweet At this week’s G20 Summit in Seoul, leaders of the top twenty economies are expected to confirm their commitment to implementing the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The Convention deals in large part with measures to prevent money laundering and requires signatory countries to: Implement a comprehensive regulatory regime for banks and other entities […]

Lawyers and money laundering – some case studies

Tweet Case Studies on Lawyers & Money Laundering Scott Rothstein The 50-year prison sentence imposed on Scott Rothstein in July of this year for running a US$1.2 billion Ponzi scheme from his Florida law firm, money laundering and stealing client trust funds, is the latest in a series of high-profile money laundering cases involving lawyers […]