MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORISM FINANCING RISKS CAUSED BY COVID-19

The Latvia FIU has compiled up-to-date information and trends on the money laundering and terrorism financing risks caused by the crisis and the associated state of emergency, bringing together information provided by international organisations, cooperation partners and foreign institutions, as well as information it holds.

https://www.fid.gov.lv/index.php/en/135-money-laundering-and-terrorism-financing-risks-caused-by-covid-19-19

 

 

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ATM SKIMMER GANG “HAD PROTECTION FROM MEXICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE”

On 26 May, the Krebs on Security blog carried a post saying that a new complaint filed with the Mexican Government internal affairs department alleges that a group of Romanians operating an ATM company in Mexico and suspected of bribing technicians to install sophisticated Bluetooth-based skimmers in cash machines throughout several top Mexican tourist destinations have enjoyed legal protection from a top anti-corruption official in the Mexican attorney general’s office.  It is said that federal, state and municipal officers have filed a complaint claiming that the office responsible for combating corruption had initiated formal proceedings against them for investigating Romanians living in Mexico who are thought to be part of the ATM skimming operation.

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/05/report-atm-skimmer-gang-had-protection-from-mexican-attorney-generals-office/

 

 

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UK: MONEY LAUNDERING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR LETTING AGENCIES

On 26 May, Arla Property Mark reported that AML/CFT registration for UK letting agencies is now open with HMRC – the supervisory body for the property sector.  Due to an IT system update HMRC’s online register for letting agents has only just been made operational.  Estate agencies who are already registered with HMRC but undertake activity as a letting agency will need to inform HMRC.

https://www.arla.co.uk/news/may-2020/money-laundering-registration-now-open-for-letting-agencies/

 

 

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SEC FREEZES ASSETS OF BOGUS ICO RUN BY FORMER STATE SENATOR

On 26 May, Finance Magnates reported that a court have granted the SEC an emergency freeze on assets of an initial coin offering (ICO) that is alleged to have scammed as much as $4.3 million out of investors in a fraud said to have been perpetrated by a former Washington state senator. The SEC has charged Robert Dunlap and Nicole Bowdler, who worked with former state Sen. Dave Schmidt in arranging an ICO scheme called “Meta 1 Coin” that touted lucrative investment returns.

https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/icos/sec-freezes-assets-of-bogus-ico-run-by-former-state-senator

 

 

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TACKLING MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORIST FINANCING IN THE ART MARKET

On 26 May, an Alert from law firm Pillsbury says that authorities are clamping down on financial crime, and the art market needs to understand and satisfy its compliance obligations as COVID-19 results in heightened criminal activity.  It stresses that art market participants must ensure their AML processes and procedures are up to date and fit for purpose.  It also says that, the historic lack of regulation of the art market combined with high value goods, the use of intermediaries, and the desire for collectors to maintain their anonymity has created an environment that is ripe for exploitation. After reflecting on recent developments, and penalties, it says that it is imperative that those in the art market are aware of their compliance obligations and the increasing scrutiny on this previously unfettered industry.  It says that art market participants must therefore ensure their AML processes and procedures are fit for purpose – making several recommendations.  In summary, the article says that, in general, art market participants need to take appropriate steps to identify and assess the risks of money laundering on their business; and the increasing use of online sales puts the art market at greater risk of breaching its compliance requirements.

https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/money-laundering-terrorist-financing-art-market.html

 

 

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BRAZIL: POLICE RAID RIO GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCES AMID COVID-19 PROBE

On 26 May, Metro in the US and others reported that Brazilian federal police have raided the residences of Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel as part of a COVID-19 corruption probe, targeting one of President Jair Bolsonaro’s political foes as the pandemic sweeps the nation.

https://www.metro.us/brazil-police-raid-rio

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MERCENARIES CHANNELLED FUNDS THROUGH MALTA AND UAE FOR PLANNED LIBYA ATTACK WITH ARMED HELICOPTERS

On 26 May, Malta Today reported that 20 private military contractors who were evacuated from war-torn Libya in July aboard 2 Malta-leased RHIB and to Valletta, were aviation experts getting ready to operate assault helicopters on behalf of the LNA.  It is said that they were engaged to operate 6 armed utility and support helicopters.

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/102575/investigators_mercenaries_haftar_uae_libya_helicopter_gunship_plan#.Xs0SRkBFxet

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