2 more new cases of monkeypox announced, taking the total to 16…
30 SEPTEMBER 2022
EL SALVADOR – CENTRAL RESERVE BANK APPROVES TECHNICAL STANDARDS REGARDING AML/CFT/PROLIFERATION RISK MANAGEMENT
On 28 September, Arias reported that the Standards Committee of the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador approved a document entitled “Technical Standards for the Risk Management of Asset and Money Laundering, Financing of Terrorism and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction”, which will enter into force on 26 October.
SWITZERLAND DE-LISTS 11 DESIGNATED INDIVIDUALS UNDER RUSSIA SANCTIONS
On 28 September, Baker McKenzie reported that Switzerland had followed the EU in removing 11 individuals from its Russia sanctions list.
EXTRACTION AND TRAFFICKING OF MOROCCAN COASTAL SAND
On 18 May, ENACT Africa had published an article (in French) saying that the resulting permanent damage to the country’s beaches will have a negative impact on local livelihoods and the national tourism industry, due to insufficient sanctions to crack down on illegal sand mining.
https://enactafrica.org/research/research-papers/extraction-et-trafic-du-sable-cotier-marocain
WOMEN AND ORGANISED CRIME IN EAST AFRICA
On 19 September, ENACT Africa published a report based on ground-breaking research from the DRC, Kenya and Uganda. It uses studies of illegal coltan mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sand trafficking in Kenya and wildlife crime in Uganda.
https://enact-africa.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/research-paper-33.pdf
NETHERLANDS ASKS EU COMMISSION FOR CLARIFICATION ON LEGAL SERVICES AND RUSSIAN SANCTIONS
On 30 September, the EU Sanctions blog reported that the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Commission if its interpretation is correct concerning the provision of legal services.
US PRESSURING ISRAEL TO CUT RESEARCH TIES WITH CHINA OVER DUAL-USE CONCERNS
On 29 September, Breaking Defense reported that an Israeli Ministry of Defense source told Breaking Defense that the US is especially concerned about the leakage of sensitive data about cyber capabilities, mini-satellites and electronic warfare systems. The move comes as Israel is moving to create stronger bonds with Chinese research institutes, including an agreement launched last year specifically “to attract excellent Chinese students” to come study in Israel.
ERICSSON KEEPS SUPPLYING RUSSIA DESPITE UKRAINE INVASION
On 26 September, the Telegraph reported that Ericsson is continuing to supply mobile phone equipment to Russia despite pledging to halt operations in the country. It applied for a dozen exemptions from local export controls on “dual-use” products, according to Swedish Radio.
UN RENEWS SHIP INSPECTIONS OFF LIBYA FOR SMUGGLED MIGRANTS
On 29 September, KTVZ reported that the UN Security Council has voted unanimously to authorise for another year the inspection of vessels off the coast of Libya suspected of smuggling migrants or engaging in human trafficking from the North African nation.
INSOLVENCY SERVICE WARNS OF WINE INVESTMENT RECOVERY SCAM
On 30 September, Drinks Business reported that, following the liquidation of Global Wine Exchange in March, investors are now being warned that scammers are making false claims that their funds can be recovered. It is said that recovery room scammers posing as trading standards officials are exploiting the fallout of the liquidation by asking for personal information and claiming that if it is not provided no funds will be transferred.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2022/09/insolvency-service-warns-of-wine-investment-recovery-scam/
EU COMMISSION SEEKS VIEWS ON THE FUTURE EUROPEAN CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS ACT
On 30 September, the EU launched a consultation in preparation of the European Critical Raw Materials Act. Interested parties are invited to provide comments and evidence and reply to targeted questions on the current problems faced along the critical raw materials supply chain within and outside of the EU and how to address them.
TRIAL OF ALLEGED RWANDA GENOCIDE FINANCIER
On 29 September, Jurist reported that the trial of Félicien Kabuga, one of the alleged financiers and masterminds of the 1994 Rwandan genocide began at The Hague. Kabuga was one of the financiers of the Rwandan media outlet Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines. In his role as financier, he supported and delivered broadcasts which named specific persons to be targeted, pointed out areas of attack and encouraged people to carry out searches for targeted individuals.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/09/trial-of-rwanda-genocide-financier-begins-at-the-hague/
JERSEY: APPEAL AGAINST FORFEITURE OF £1.9 MILLION DEPOSITED INTO JERSEY NUMBERED BANK ACCOUNTS IN A FALSE IDENTITY BETWEEN 1989 AND LATE 1990S
A news release from the Jersey Government on 30 September advised that the Jersey Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against the Attorney General’s application seeking the forfeiture of approximately £1.9 million deposited into Jersey numbered bank accounts in a false identity between 1989 and the late 1990s. The money is said to be linked to funds looted under the Abacha regime in Nigeria, and was regarded as “tainted”.
https://www.gov.je/News/2022/Pages/NigerianForfeitureAppealDismissed.aspx
TRADE MARK OWNERS WITH UK RIGHTS ARE CHOOSING TO ENGAGE UK-BASED REPRESENTATIVES TO AVOID THE RISK OF LOSING ‘CLONED’ RIGHTS AFTER BREXIT
On 29 September, Out-Law reported that an increasing number of trade mark owners are acting to avoid the risk of losing ‘cloned’ rights after Brexit. It explains that such cloned UK trade mark registrations were created in the wake of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and mirror all EU trade mark (EUTM) registrations registered as at 1 January 2021, and are identical in all respects to the parent EUTM.
https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/avoiding-loss-cloned-uk-trade-mark-rights
NEW JURISDICTIONAL GATEWAYS TO HELP UNMASK FRAUDSTERS OUTSIDE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
On 29 September, Out-Law reported that an update to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPRs) in England and Wales has handed fraud litigators a new key to help unmask fraudsters and trace misappropriated assets. From 1 October, it extends the current 21 “jurisdictional gateways” through which the English courts may give permission for a claim to be served outside the jurisdiction of England and Wales. It is said that victims of fraud will now be able to use Norwich Pharmacal Orders (NPO) and Bankers Trust orders with greater jurisdictional reach through the new gateway, allowing them to make a claim or application for disclosure in order obtain information from entities outside England and Wales to assist them in bringing further action in the English courts.
https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/cpr-gateway-unmask-fraudsters-outside-england-wales
THE GLOBAL OPERATIONS BEHIND CHINA’S MASSIVE FISHING FLEETS TARGETING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS REVEALED
On 27 September, the Marine Megafauna Foundation carried an article about a major New York Times report which highlights how China’s enormous international fishing fleet has spread across the world’s oceans. The Galapagos Islands are a prime fishing target due to the abundant ocean wildlife. Satellite mapping from 2020–2021 shows how their fleets line the edges of international water surrounding the Galapagos, catching sharks and other marine life as they exit and enter protected waters. It also featured the journey of “Motherships”- gigantic refrigerated vessels that exist so smaller ships can unload their catch without ever needing to return to port, allowing them to fish continuously and making it easy to “underreport the catch and disguise its origins”.
https://marinemegafauna.org/news/how-chinas-fishing-fleets-target-galapagos-islands
UK: REGULATOR SETS OUT PROPOSALS TO GIVE GREATER PROTECTION AGAINST APP SCAMS
On 29 September, the Payment Systems Regulator published a consultation that it says will usher in greater protections from Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam losses and will see further action being taken to prevent scams from happening in the first place. It says that its ongoing work identified concerns about outcomes for victims under the current voluntary approach taken by banks and building societies.
NETHERLANDS: COPS SEIZED LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH IN MONEY LAUNDERING CASE AROUND JUMBO CEO
On 30 September, the NL Times reported that police seized large amounts of cash in the money laundering investigation in which Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd is also a suspect. The case revolves around money and property laundering through real estate transactions, car trading, unexplained cash deposits, and sponsorship deals in the motocross sport. There are 9 suspects in this case.
https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/30/cops-seized-large-amounts-cash-money-laundering-case-around-jumbo-ceo
BULGARIA: COURT REMANDS IN CUSTODY TURKISH-GERMAN DUAL NATIONAL WANTED BY US FOR $23 MILLION FRAUD
On 30 September, the Bulgarian News Agency BTA reported that Metin Savas Koros, 59, a dual Turkish and German national, wanted in the US for $23 million fraud and money laundering, was remanded in custody for 60 days.
HONG KONG CHARGES 13 IN A PUMP-AND-DUMP SCHEME CRACK DOWN
On 30 September, Finance Magnates reported that the Hong Kong police and Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have charged 13 suspects, a syndicate, of a sophisticated ‘ramp-and-dump’ (“pump and dump”) scheme.
https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/hong-kong-charges-13-in-a-pump-and-dump-scheme-crack-down/
TABLE OF IRANIAN NUCLEAR SITES AND RELATED FACILITIES
On 16 September, the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control provided a list of facilities that carry out the different steps of the nuclear fuel cycle. This infrastructure includes the mine where Iran extracts natural uranium, the mill that processes uranium ore into a concentrate known as “yellowcake,” and the plant that converts this yellowcake into uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas – the feedstock for centrifuges that enrich uranium. Iran operates several gas centrifuge plants and accumulates enriched uranium that can be used to manufacture fuel for nuclear reactors or nuclear weapons. It also operates reactors for the purpose of generating electricity and conducting research for medical and industrial applications. Because of the dual-use potential of many of these facilities, however, the international community has long raised concerns that Iran could use this infrastructure and expertise to develop nuclear weapons.
RESPONSIBILITY CHAINS: BUILDING GLOBAL GOVERNANCE FOR FOREST RISK COMMODITY CHAINS
On 13 September, the Stimson Center argues that, in order to promote a more effective global governance for forests, it proposes the creation of a Responsibility Chains Process. The paper is part of a series which provides a platform for leading and up-and-coming authors’ thinking on major contemporary global governance challenges with view to stimulating further debate and influence policy debates.
https://www.stimson.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Responsibility-chains-091322-revised.pdf
FORMER EL SALVADOREAN FOOTBALL OFFICIAL SENTENCED TO 16 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR CORRUPTION
On 29 September, the Global Investigation Review reported that Reynaldo Vasquez, the former president of El Salvador’s football federation FESFUTwill also pay $360,000 for his role in an international corruption scheme that the US has been pursuing for years. Vasquez was finally extradited to the US from El Salvador last year, having been indicted in 2015, and pleaded guilty in August 2021, and the conviction relates to accepting a bribe in 2012 from Miami-based Media World, which manages rights for Spanish-speaking broadcasters.
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1128650/
OFAC REISSUES UPDATED LIBYAN SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
On 30 September, OFAC advised that the regulations previously published in abbreviated form in 2011. The new Libyan Sanctions Regulations includes additional interpretive guidance and definitions, general licenses, and other regulatory provisions that will provide further guidance to the public.
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220930_33
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/126/20220930_libya_regulations_0.pdf
SLOVAK OIL REFINER TO KEEP SELLING RUSSIAN OIL, HOPES COMMISSION TURNS A BLIND EYE
On 30 September, EurActiv reported that Slovakia’s largest oil refiner Slovnaft will keep selling Russian oil on the domestic market even after its exemption under the EU embargo on Russian crude oil runs out at the end of 2023, the company’s CEO Marek Senkovič has said.
HARLEQUIN: MAN BEHIND A £226 MILLION FRAUD JAILED FOR 12 YEARS FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY THE SFO
A news release from the SFO on 30 September advised that David Ames, 70, who fraudulently abused his position as Chairman of the Harlequin business, exposing over 8,000 investors to huge losses between 2010 and 2015 had been jailed. Ames sold to a large number of people with Self-Invested Personal Pensions (“SIPPs”) before regulations were tightened in 2012, many of them elderly with little investing experience.
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