November 3, 2021 – raytodd.blog

ISLE OF MAN: PUBLICATION OF AML/CFT GUIDANCE

On 3 November, the FSA published AML/CFT guidance in 3 categories –

AML/CFT guidance and supplemental information glossary;
Wire Transfers Regulation guidance; and
Private Pensions sector specific guidance note.

https://www.iomfsa.im/amlcft/amlcft-requirements-and-guidance/

ISRAELI SPYWARE COMPANY NSO GROUP PLACED ON US BLACKLIST

On 3 November, the Guardian reported that the US Commerce Department said it included NSO – as well as 3 other companies – on the so-called “entity list” because it had “reasonable cause to believe, based on specific and articulated facts, that the entity has been involved, or is involved, or poses a significant risk of being or becoming involved in activities that are contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States”. In effect, it means that NSO will be barred from buying parts and components from US companies without a special licence. It also puts a cloud over the sale of the company’s software globally, including in the US.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/03/nso-group-pegasus-spyware-us-blacklist

US BLACKLISTING OF NSO GROUP SHOWS VIEW OF MAJOR TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AS A GRAVE THREAT

An accompanying analysis piece from the Guardian says that the question now is what effect the US move will have on Israel and on foreign governments who use NSO’s spyware.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/03/blacklist-placement-us-views-nso-group-grave-threat

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EUROPEAN CUM-EX TAX FRAUD SCHEME A ‘CONCERN’ FOR IRISH CENTRAL BANK

On 3 November, the Irish Times reported that the involvement of Irish entities in the massive European tax fraud scheme raised a range of “issues of concern” for the Central Bank, the Irish parliament has been told. While Irish tax authorities were not defrauded, Irish investment funds were used as vehicles to carry out trades targeting larger EU countries, such as Germany.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/european-cum-ex-tax-fraud-scheme-a-concern-for-central-bank-1.4718575

LATIN AMERICAN SYNTHETIC DRUG TRADE BOOMING

On 2 November, Insight Crime said that a UNODC report has reported that organised crime groups in Latin America continue to expand into illicit synthetic drug production, including mass manufacturing of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Mexico, and experiments with synthesising party drugs in Brazil. Groups are said to be ramping up the smuggling of synthetic drugs alongside cocaine, and a plethora of new compounds are being ordered online and delivered by mail. It also notes that, since 2019, at least 19 alleged Mexican methamphetamine “cooks” have been arrested in Belgium and the Netherlands, spreading their expertise.

https://insightcrime.org/news/latam-synthetic-drug-trade-booming-unodc-report/

The UN Office of Drugs and Crime report is at –

https://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/21-02920_LAC_drug_assessment_Ebook.pdf

A GUIDE TO FACT-CHECKING INVESTIGATIVE STORIES

On 3 November, an article from the Global Investigative Journalism Network explains a system with 3 checkpoints that it has been developed since 2004 by its newsroom.

https://gijn.org/2021/11/03/fact-checking-for-journalists

LATVIA MAKES SOME PROGRESS ON OECD ANTI-BRIBERY RECOMMENDATIONS

On 3 November, LSM reported that Latvia has fully implemented 16 recommendations of the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions, partially implemented 19 recommendations, and did not implement 9 recommendations, according to the latest review of progress. The summary and conclusions of the report were adopted by the OECD on 15 October. Latvia has successfully concluded its first foreign bribery case and brought a second one to trial. The Working Group invited Latvia to report back in writing within 2 on the outstanding recommendations.