KYC360 Weekly Roundup - 19th July 2024

Published on Jul 19, 2024

Top stories this week: 

Financial Firms in Luxembourg Struggling to Recruit Skilled Staff to Meet AML Obligations | Cambodian Payments Firm Received Laundered Crypto Worth Over $150,000 

Welcome to this week’s edition of the KYC Roundup - your gateway to the most impactful developments in the world of Anti-Money Laundering and financial crime. In the AML arena, a new report from PwC showed that financial firms in Luxembourg are struggling to recruit skilled staff to meet AML obligations, a Cambodian payments firm received laundered crypto worth over $150,000 and AUSTRAC called for stricter regulations to combat crypto crimes.  

In the fast-paced world of sanctions, the EU imposed fresh sanctions against five Israeli individuals and three entities, while the U.S. applied sanctions to Mexican accountants linked to a drug cartel.  

In the corruption space, U.S Senator Bob Menendez was found guilty of corruption and UK anti-corruption groups called for greater investment.  

We round off this week’s roundup with details of the Annual KYC360 Forum in Jersey.  

Financial_ServicesKYC & AML

Financial firms in Luxembourg struggling to recruit skilled staff to meet AML obligations  
A new report from PwC revealed that 44% of respondents in Luxembourg struggled to recruit skilled staff to meet various AML requirements. This was in comparison to 25% of EU respondents as a whole citing this as a challenge.

Cambodian payments firm received laundered crypto worth over $150,000 
The North Korean hacker group Lazarus transferred the stolen crypto to the Cambodian payments firm Huione Pay from their digital wallet. The board of Huione Pay stated that they did not know it had "received funds indirectly." 

AUSTRAC calls for stricter regulations to combat crypto crimes 
In its latest report, the Australia Financial Authority (AUSTRAC) warned of a rise in the criminal use of cryptocurrencies. The authority underlined the need for stringent regulations to combat money laundering offences involving cryptocurrencies and digital assets

German regulator warns Solaris to improve AML controls or face further fines
The German regulator BaFin has told the Berlin-based financial services firm Solaris that it must meet deadlines to improve AML controls or face a significant fine. 

TD Bank hires regulatory experts to shore up AML controls 
The Canadian bank is subject to a number of regulatory probes and could face significant fines. The bank has hired Nathalie Martineau from FinTRAC and former U.S. Department of Homeland Security director Brian Davis to help shore up their AML defences

Luxembourg to create dedicated AML office 
Luxembourg has been subject to criticism of their AML measures in recent years by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The country recently approved the creation of a specialised office in the tax unit to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing. 

SanctionsSanctions

U.S. sanctions Mexican accountants over links to cartels
The U.S. imposed the sanctions on accountants and firms linked to a timeshare scam being run by the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel. Owners of timeshare properties in Mexico have been told to be wary of fraudulent schemes. 

EU announces sanctions against five Israeli individuals and three entities
The EU sanctioned groups and individuals which it describes as extremist settlers and violent activists blocking aid from reaching Gaza.  

CryptoCorruption

U.S Senator Bob Menendez found guilty of corruption  
Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey was found guilty of accepting gold and cash for political favours. He will be sentenced on October 20th and is expected to resign from the Senate.

UK anti-corruption groups call for greater investment   
The UK Anti-Corruption Coalition has called for bold action to rebuild trust in UK institutions and urged the new Labour government to name an anti-corruption champion. The post has not been filled since the last holder resigned due to Partygate.

Resources

KYC360 News

Annual KYC360 Forum
Join us on October 1st for an insightful forum on how to derive the greatest benefits from AML/KYC adherence and translate these into positive operational outcomes. Hear from world-leading experts and thought leaders in this space.  
Register now

 

Advance your CPD minutes for this content,
by signing up and using the CPD Wallet

Get started

Catch up on previous KYC360 Roundups

Your latest weekly update from the worlds of money laundering, legislation and regulation, sustainability, gaming and gambling, crypto and sanctions.

KYC360 Weekly Roundup - 18th October 2024  
Roundup

KYC360 Weekly Roundup - 18th October 2024

In the AML arena, the FATF is considering blacklisting Russia.
KYC360
Oct 18, 2024
KYC360 Weekly Roundup - 11th October 2024  
Roundup

KYC360 Weekly Roundup - 11th October 2024

In the AML arena, TD Bank was fined $3 billion for AML failings.
KYC360
Oct 11, 2024