Binance fined $6M for AML failings in Canada, Malta’s reputation takes further hammering and Australia takes on real estate’s ML issues.
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Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has been handed a $6M fine by Canada’s FINTRAC due to problems with its AML reporting. FINTRAC, Canada’s national financial intelligence agency, said that it imposed the penalty on Binance for non-compliance with part of Canada’s ‘Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act’. The organisation said Binance’s two key failures were:
A failure to register with FINTRAC as a foreign money services business.
A failure to report “large virtual currency” transactions of $10,000 or more in the course of a single transaction.
Sarah Paquet, FINTRAC’s director and CEO, said companies abiding by the country’s AML regulations are vital to “protect the safety of Canadians and the security of Canada’s economy”.
Malta’s reputation as a financial centre took yet another battering this week when Central Bank governor, the country’s deputy PM and a PM are among dozens of suspects charged in a massive bribery scandal that has rocked the political establishment of the tiny Mediterranean island. The Central Bank chief Edward Scicluna sits on the European Central Bank’s governing council which is a major embarrassment for the Union too.
*** Global identity verification provider ID-Pal has launched a new document fraud detection tool: ‘ID-Detect’. With ID-Detect enabled, businesses gain enhanced document verification and accuracy rates on each submission, with testing in one vector attack showing an ability to detect up to 99.9% of fraudulent documents. Thereby confirming with greater confidence that a physical document is present, not a reproduction. Read the story here: ID-Pal launches cutting-edge AI fraud detection tool ‘ID-Detect’
A former bank employee has been arrested in the UK as part of the international police investigation into the 'Black Axe' industrial fraud gang. He is accused of recruiting up to 40 money mules and also of facilitating withdrawls from some of the accounts. Catch this here: Former bank employee suspected of recruiting 40 money mules for ‘Black Axe’ industrial fraud gang
The United States Homeland Security has said Chinese criminals are increasingly playing a key role in laundering money for Mexican-based cartels. Read how this is being done here: US Homeland Security reveals how Chinese criminals help Mexican cartels launder money
Due to its myriad gaps in its AML measures, Australia risks becoming one of the wealthiest and most developed jurisdictions in the world to land on the FATF’s “grey list”. We analyse the problem as well as the government’s attempts to restore the country’s reputation here: Australia staying off FATF’s grey list – here’s what its new AML measures mean for real estate professionals
Austrian lender Raiffeisen Bank RBIV.VI has abandoned a bid to buy a 1.5 billion euro ($1.6 billion) industrial stake of a Russian tycoon, following pressure from Washington to scrap the deal. Find this here: Austria’s Raiffeisen drops bid to buy Russian tycoon industry stake
Nigeria plans to roll out additional rules in the coming days to combat illegal trading in digital assets and ensure that those dealing in such instruments are registered, the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said. Read the full story here: Nigeria plans additional rules to combat illegal trading in digital assets
Now for your end of week news blast...
FURTHER BLOW TO MALTA'S REPUTATION: Malta’s Central Bank governor, the country’s deputy PM and a PM are among dozens of suspects charged in a massive bribery scandal that has rocked the political establishment of the tiny Mediterranean island. The scandal is the latest blow to the country - an EU Member State - which has grown rich on online gambling, rampant construction and selling passports to oligarchs. Catch this here: Further blow to Malta’s reputation as Central Bank chief charged in massive bribery scandal
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ID-PAL LAUNCHES AI FRAUD DETECTION TOOL: Global identity verification provider ID-Pal, the platinum sponsor of the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2024, has launched a new document fraud detection tool: ‘ID-Detect’. With ID-Detect enabled, businesses gain enhanced document verification and accuracy rates on each submission, with testing in one vector attack showing an ability to detect up to 99.9% of fraudulent documents. Thereby confirming with greater confidence that a physical document is present, not a reproduction. Read the story here: ID-Pal launches cutting-edge AI fraud detection tool ‘ID-Detect’
AUSTRALIA’S PLAN TO STAY OFF "GREY LIST": DUE to various gaps in its AML measures, Australia risks becoming one of the wealthiest and most developed jurisdictions in the world to land on the FATF’s “grey list”. Being put on the list can have a major impact, such as by restricting international transactions, leading to difficulties for a state in obtaining credit on international markets. Read the full story here: Australia staying off FATF’s grey list – here’s what its new AML measures mean for real estate professionals
FORMER BANK EMPLOYEE ARRESTED OVER BLACK AXE SUSPICIONS: A FORMER bank employee has been arrested in the UK as part of the international police investigation into the 'Black Axe' industrial fraud gang. The suspect, aged in his 20s, was working in one of Ireland's main banks when police identified him. He is expected to be extradited from the UK to Dublin where he will be charged with gangland and money laundering offences. Catch this here: Former bank employee suspected of recruiting 40 money mules for ‘Black Axe’ industrial fraud gang
CHINESE CRIMINALS HELP MEXICAN CARTELS: The United States Homeland Security has said Chinese criminals are increasingly playing a key role in laundering money for Mexican-based cartels. A senior figure at a Homeland Security department said the Chinese organisations help the cartels to exchange money which is the proceeds of crime for US dollars and often do so without leaving a paper trail. Find this here: US Homeland Security reveals how Chinese criminals help Mexican cartels launder money
‘European Anti-Financial Crime Summit (EAFCS) 2024’ is set to be the stand-out Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) event of the year. Have you booked your or your department’s place at the ‘European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2024’ in Dublin on May 16? The summit will hear from the top global leaders on AML and AFC for a banking, fintech, finreg and gaming audience. Topics being covered are:
Delegates from across the globe are preparing for the #EAFCS24 - have you secured your ticket? Book your or your organisation’s tickets here: EAFCS2024
RAIFFEISEN DROPS BID: Austrian lender Raiffeisen Bank RBIV.VI has abandoned a bid to buy a 1.5 billion euro ($1.6 billion) industrial stake of a Russian tycoon, following pressure from Washington to scrap the deal. "In recent exchanges with the relevant authorities, RBI has been unable to obtain the required comfort in order to proceed with the proposed transaction," the bank said on Wednesday.
NIGERIA PLANS ADDITTIONAL RULES: Nigeria plans to roll out additional rules in the coming days to combat illegal trading in digital assets and ensure that those dealing in such instruments are registered, the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said. The SEC director general, Emomotimi Agama, told major blockchain and cryptocurrency associations in Nigeria on Monday that the naira currency needs to be delisted from peer-2-peer (P2P) trading to avoid manipulation.
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Stephen and the team at AMlintelligence.
Fintech | Cryptoassets | MLRO | Compliance
6 个月In no way do I want to minimise the seriousness of the matters unfolding in Malta but it is a former PM that is involved.