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.
KYC & 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.
Sanctions
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.
Corruption
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.
KYC360 News
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