Bank Secrecy Act Report on Russian Sanction Evasion Trends

Evasion of Russia-related export controls  On September 8th, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published a Financial Trend Analysis that analyzes suspected evasion of Russia-related export controls. This analysis is based on reports filed under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) in response to previous joint alerts on this matter. This…

Continue ReadingBank Secrecy Act Report on Russian Sanction Evasion Trends

Deutsche Bank Fined $186 million for Slow Progress in Anti Money Laundering Compliance Programs

Deutsche Bank has had a troubled past regarding anti money laundering compliance.  The Federal Reserve has stated that it fined Deutsche bank $186 million for failing to address money laundering control problems and other shortcomings that were previously identified by the US Central Bank. The Federal Reserve had identified issues…

Continue ReadingDeutsche Bank Fined $186 million for Slow Progress in Anti Money Laundering Compliance Programs

Betfred Fined £3.25m for AML and KYC Gambling & Social Responsibility Failures

According to a recent public statement by the UK Gambling Commission - Betfred, a UK-based bookmaker, has been fined £3.25m by the Gambling Commission for Anti-Money laundering(AML), Know-Your-Customer(KYC), and social responsibility failures. Some of the AML and KYC Gambling failures include:  Failing to consistently obtain needed KYC identification Failing to…

Continue ReadingBetfred Fined £3.25m for AML and KYC Gambling & Social Responsibility Failures

Swedbank Latvia AS reaches settlement for violations due to issues with OFAC Screenings

On June 20th, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) announced that Swedbank Latvia AS, a subsidiary of Swedbank AB, has agreed to pay about $3.5 million to settle apparent violations of OFAC sanctions. OFAC sanction screening is essential for financial institutions to ensure that no regulations are broken. The…

Continue ReadingSwedbank Latvia AS reaches settlement for violations due to issues with OFAC Screenings

Know-Your-Customer: Financial Institutions’ Role in the Prevention of Sex Trafficking

JPMorgan Chase has reached a tentative settlement with the sexual abuse victims of Jeffrey Epstein. One of the lead lawyers for the victims said the bank was ready to pay $290 million for resolution. JPMorgan had provided services to Epstein from about 1998 to 2013, designating him a “high risk…

Continue ReadingKnow-Your-Customer: Financial Institutions’ Role in the Prevention of Sex Trafficking

Anti-Money Laundering in Arts & Antiquities

What is FATF? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “promotes and develops policies to protect the global financial system against money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction” (FATF). FATF suggestions are accepted globally as counter-terrorist financing (CFT) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. These…

Continue ReadingAnti-Money Laundering in Arts & Antiquities

Real Estate Money Laundering – Russian Oligarchs Edition 

The Groundworks of the Money Laundering Scheme  Russian Oligarchs Viktor Vekselberg and Vladimir Voronchenko are accused of running a money laundering operation through their real estate properties in the U.S. The Department of Justice has alleged that six luxury properties have been maintained by channeling millions of dollars into the…

Continue ReadingReal Estate Money Laundering – Russian Oligarchs Edition