Somehow the entry for yesterday managed to get lost…
20 OCTOBER 2022
ISLE OF MAN: ANTI-BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION (ABC) HUB
On 20 October, the Isle of Man announced the setting up of this hub, a website which includes a confidential reporting form which provides what is described as a secure pathway for raising any suspicions or concerns that bribery or corruption is taking place. Reports can be made about an organisation or individual and anyone making a submission has the option to remain anonymous. Information and guidance is provided for all sectors of the community on how to recognise bribery and corruption, including possible ‘red flags’.
FRANCE: DECREE IMPLEMENTING LAW ON WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS PUBLISHED
On 19 October, Jones Day reported that the Decree specifies the procedures for collecting and processing whistleblower alerts and determines the list of agencies competent to receive external alerts under the so-called “Waserman Law”, which implemented EU Directive 2019/1937 into French law.
ISRAEL AND LEBANON REACH HISTORIC DEAL THAT WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR OFFSHORE ENERGY EXPLORATION IN PREVIOUSLY-CONTESTED AREAS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA
On 19 October, an article from Herbert Smith Freehills reported on an agreement between Lebanon and Israel over a maritime border dispute that had erupted more than a decade ago between the 2 countries. It establishes a permanent maritime boundary that will pave the way for the exploration and exploitation of reportedly hydrocarbons-rich, and previously untapped reservoirs in the Mediterranean Sea.
https://press.un.org/en/2022/sc15069.doc.htm
CYPRUS: LIMITED LIABILITY SHIPPING COMPANY (LLSC) – NEW VEHICLE FOR OPERATION AND OWNERSHIP OF CYPRUS-FLAGGED SHIPS
On 19 October, an article from ASC Law Firm in Cyprus reported a new shipping framework and the the creation of a new one-stop-shop dedicated to shipping services – with a new registry regulated by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping and not the Registrar of Companies.
https://www.mondaq.com/cyprus/marine-shipping/1241800/new-cyprus-shipping-companies-framework
BVI: ENTITIES REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS INCLUDING A COMPLIANCE MANUAL
On 19 October, an article from Walkers explained that all persons subject to the provisions of the Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) Act and the International Tax Authority Act have to take account of, and act upon, amendments published in June, to ensure that they are in compliance with the amendments (which are detailed in the article).
COLLECTION PROBLEMS CONCERNING LETTERS OF CREDIT (LC)
On 19 October, Amereller Legal Consultants said that companies trading in the Middle East, Africa and Asia are increasingly facing collection problems concerning letters of credit (LC), the longstanding core of trade finance. Hence, LC are not providing the same assurance of payment as traders have historically expected due to foreign currency reserve shortages in a number of countries. It notes that the recent foreign remittance crisis has reminded the trade finance community of the importance of confirmed letters of credit, explaining that a confirmed letter of credit is a “back-to-back” letter of credit issued by the seller’s bank on the assurance of the letter of credit issued by the buyer’s bank. Given the additional cost, usually 0.5-2% of the letter of credit value, many traders have forgone confirmed letters of credit in recent years.
GERMANY: SUPPLY CHAIN DUE DILIGENCE – QUESTIONNAIRE FOR REPORTING PUBLISHED BY GERMAN AUTHORITY
On 18 October, Mayer Brown published an article saying that the authority, BAFA, had shed some light on what is expected of the reporting entities by publishing 38 detailed questions (in addition to some general information on the reporting entity) covering the whole spectrum of due diligence obligations under the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (SCDDA). The first reports will be due no later than 4 months after the end of the financial year of the reporting entity that ends during the calendar year 2023 (for enterprises with 3,000 or more employees) or 2024 (for enterprises with 1,000 or more employees).
THE RECENT HISTORY OF DRONE ATTACKS ON MIDDLE EAST OIL FACILITIES AS A PRECEDENT FOR SAFETY OF NORTH SEA FACILITIES
On 17 October, Dryad Global reported that the recent history of drone attacks on Middle East oil facilities offers a foreboding precedent (with most air- or sea-based attacks being successful) for the effectiveness of these military devices in targeting energy infrastructure, and international oil majors in Norway and the UK would be foolish to ignore the threat.
CHINA PATH TO INDIAN OCEAN USING MYANMAR RAIL NETWORK
On 20 October, Nikkei Asia reported that the opening in recent months of a rail link connecting western China to Myanmar offers Beijing the potential to establish a vital route to the Indian Ocean. For Myanmar, it is an opportunity to boost exports to China and become an international logistics hub.
UK SANCTIONS AND ASSET FREEZING ORDERS: HIGH COURT HAS SET ASIDE DECISION TO VARY TWO AFO
On 20 October, the EU Sanctions blog reported on the decision of the High Court in London set aside a decision by Westminster Magistrates in July to vary 2 AFO obtained by the NCA against firms which manage the financial and security needs of Petr Aven. The case concerns the interaction between a basic needs licence granted by OFSI in favour of Mr Aven and the AFO obtained by the NCA.
OIL CAP PLANS WILL OPEN A NEW FRONT IN RUSSIA–WEST CONFLICT
On 20 October, an article from the Carnegie Center reported on a new proposal from the EU that any vessel transporting Russian crude oil — and, in 3 months’ time, Russian oil products — being sold above the price cap would be prohibited from obtaining any shipping industry services from EU providers, such as insurance, financing, servicing, and bunkering. It considers the possible reaction from Russia and Indian, Chinese, and Persian Gulf shipping companies.
https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88211
US: THE IMPORT OR EXPORT OF “DRUG PARAPHERNALIA” TO OR FROM STATES WHERE CANNABIS IS LEGAL
On 18 October, an article from Harris Bricken reported on a recent decision of the US Court of International Trade that indicates the import or export of “drug paraphernalia” to or from states where cannabis is legal represents an exception to the federal ban imposed by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Drug paraphernalia is “any equipment, product, or material of any kind which is primarily intended or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, concealing, producing, processing, preparing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance”. However, the article warns that a challenge by the US Government is probably coming.
CANADA: RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA AND DISINFORMATION AGAIN TARGETED BY NEW SANCTIONS
On 18 October, an article from Tereposky & DeRose LLP reported that, on 17 October, the Government of Canada announced additional sanctions targeting 34 individuals and 1 entity “complicit in the dissemination of Russia disinformation and propaganda”.
https://tradeisds.com/russian-propaganda-and-disinformation-again-targeted-by-new-sanctions/
US: MULTIPLE FOREIGN NATIONALS CHARGED IN ALLEGED SCHEMES TO SEND MILITARY TECHNOLOGY TO RUSSIA
On 19 October, CNN and others reported that the DoJ announced charges against nearly a dozen people and 2 companies in connection with illegal schemes to send military technology to Russia, some of which has allegedly been recovered from battlefields in Ukraine. The DoJ said in a statement that some of the defendants also tried to send “nuclear proliferation technology” to Russia, but that it was intercepted before it arrived.
SPAIN AND FRANCE HAVE OWNERS PAY FOR YACHTS FROZEN UNDER RUSSIA SANCTIONS
On 20 October, US News reported that Spain and France have authorised the owners of superyachts frozen under sanctions against Russian businessmen to pay for their upkeep.
UK AND US ANNOUNCE ‘ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP’ ON ECONOMIC SANCTIONS IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
On 19 October, the National Law Review reported on a new strategy to cooperate and collaborate further on economic sanctions implementation and enforcement.
NIGERIA: FORMER LAGOS ATTORNEY GENERAL ARRAIGNED ON MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES
On 20 October, the People’s Gazette reported that former Lagos attorney general Supo Shashore has been arraigned before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on a 4-count charge of money laundering.
NEW ORLEANS PASTOR ADMITS DEFRAUDING HIS CHURCH OF $900,000 TO SPEND ON CARS AND PAYING OFF CREDIT CARDS
On 20 October, Yahoo News reported that a New Orleans pastor, Rev. Charles Southall III, the executive pastor of First Emanuel Baptist Church, has pleaded guilty to money laundering and admitted to defrauding donors of almost $900,000 meant to benefit his church.
https://news.yahoo.com/orleans-pastor-admits-defrauding-church-110547778.html
2 MORE BRITISH COLUMBIA REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE FIRMS HAVE BEEN FINED FOR AML VIOLATIONS
On 19 October, BIV reported that the fines were for violations and a “failure to take into consideration the money laundering or terrorist activity financing risk of its products and delivery channels, its geographic location or its clients and business relationships”.
https://biv.com/article/2022/10/two-more-bc-real-estate-firms-fined-anti-money-laundering-violations
US TREASURY RELEASES CFIUS ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY GUIDELINES
On 20 October, a news release from the US Treasury announced that it had released the first-ever CFIUS Enforcement and Penalty Guidelines. The Guidelines provide the public with important information about how CFIUS will assess whether and in what amount to impose a penalty or take some other enforcement action for a violation of a party’s obligation, and factors that CFIUS may consider in making such a determination, including aggravating and mitigating factors. Transaction parties’ compliance is critical to ensuring the protection of national security.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1037
MEXICO TURNS TO ‘LAWFARE’ TO TACKLE ITS US GUN PROBLEM
On 20 October, the World Politics Review reported that Mexico had launched a second lawsuit in the US against the firearms business in the US, this one going after a handful of gun shops and distributors, claiming they knowingly and deliberately violate U.S. law. The litigation is being directed from the highest levels of Mexico’s government. The first case was dismissed due to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act 2005 (PLCAA), under which gunmakers enjoy wide-ranging immunity shielding them from liability for the misuse of their products. Mexico had argued that despite the law, the manufacturers were guilty of negligence and of violating Mexican and US gun import laws.
https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/mexico-gun-violence-lawsuit-us-relations/
EU ADDS 3 IRANIAN INDIVIDUALS AND 1 ENTITY TO RUSSIA SANCTIONS LISTS FOR BEING INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES TO RUSSIA
EU Regulation 2022/1985/EU has added 4 names to the sanctions, including Shahed Aviation Industries, for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
US: WOMAN CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING FEMA OF $156 MILLION
On 19 October, OCCRP reported that the DoJ had indicted a woman, Tiffany Brown, 43, of Atlanta, for allegedly defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of $156 million by falsely claiming to have provided 30 million meals to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017.
https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/16914-us-woman-charged-with-defrauding-fema-of-156m
OCCRP PUBLISHES SPANISH-LANGUAGE “FOLLOW THE MONEY” HANDBOOK
On 7 September, OCCRP reported that the manual contains tips and tricks on how to access records and information in 19 Latin American countries. The free guide is intended to help journalists search for documents and data in Latin America.
A PROLIFIC SCAMMER ARRESTED IN TENERIFE AS A RESULT OF A COMPLEX INVESTIGATION INVOLVING 4 COUNTRIES
On 20 October, Europol reported that the suspect – a 50-year-old Croatian national – is believed to have been running a large-scale, multi-layered investment fraud scheme which siphoned at least €5 million out of unsuspecting investors. Over 70 German victims have been identified so far.
CUSTOMS FINDS A TONNE OF COCAINE IN ANTWERP
On 19 October, the Brussels Times reported that Belgian customs recently found about 1 tonne of cocaine while checking a container in Antwerp Port. The drugs were hidden in a container that had arrived in Antwerp from Panama and was to travel on to the Netherlands.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/309266/customs-finds-a-tonne-of-cocaine-in-antwerp
NEW ZEALAND FINANCIAL MARKETS AUTHORITY FORMALLY WARNS WHOLESALE PROPERTY INVESTMENT FIRMS AFTER DISCOVERING NON-COMPLIANT PRACTICES
On 20 October, a release on Mondo Visione advised that the FMA commenced a review of wholesale investments into property-related offers after noting an increase in complaints made and concerns raised about how such wholesale offers were being promoted, and whether the appropriate investors were being targeted and accepted. 7 warnings have been issued by the FMA to offerors using non-compliant eligible investor certificates, and FMA also found several practices in the market which it considers may increase the risk an investor may be misled.
HAITIAN GANG LEADER ‘BARBECUE’ TARGETED IN UN SANCTIONS RESOLUTION
On 18 October, Insight Crime reported that Haitian gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, aka “Barbecue”, is a central target of potential UN Security Council sanctions, while a separate resolution has called for an international armed force to help the country address its security crisis.
https://insightcrime.org/news/haitian-gang-leader-barbecue-targeted-un-sanctions-resolution/
CLAIMS THAT COMMODITY TRADER GLENCORE DELIVERED SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF RUSSIAN-ORIGIN ALUMINIUM TO LONDON METAL EXCHANGE-REGISTERED WAREHOUSES IN SOUTH KOREA
On 20 October, Hellenic Shipping News reported that sources did not say how much of Rusal’s aluminium had been delivered by Glencore to the LME warehouses; and Glencore and the London Metal Exchange declined to comment.
BACK TO FCPA BASICS: WHO’S A FOREIGN OFFICIAL?
On 20 October, the FCPA Blog published a post saying that each element of a FCPA offence have been contentious, but none more than the fourth element — “foreign official”.
https://fcpablog.com/2022/10/20/back-to-fcpa-basics-whos-a-foreign-official/
BRAZIL POLICE ARREST INTERNATIONAL GANG INVOLVED IN PYRAMID SCHEME
On 20 October, Agencia Brasil reported that the federal police had executed 41 search warrants and arrested 9 people over an alleged pyramid scheme said to have affected about 1.3 million people in some 80 countries.
SANCTIONED MYANMAR TYCOONS FIND SHELTER IN SINGAPORE
On 18 October, Yahoo Finance reported that Singapore has long been a haven for sanctioned Myanmar businessmen, and most Asian countries, including Singapore, don’t support the US sanctions.
https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/sanctioned-myanmar-tycoons-find-shelter-singapore-064308310.html
SOUTH AFRICA: RESERVE BANK’S ATTACHMENT SWOOP ON EX-STEINHOFF CEO MARKUS JOOSTE’S BILLIONS IN ASSETS
On 19 October, the Daily Maverick reported that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) links former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste to contraventions of the Exchange Control Regulations. The SARB argues Jooste used companies in the Steinhoff group as well as his racehorse company Mayfair Speculators to syphon money away from Steinhoff to enrich himself and others. In an attempt at clawing back these funds, the SARB is now chasing after all assets linked to Jooste.
HOW RUSSIAN SHIPS ARE LAUNDERING GRAIN STOLEN FROM OCCUPIED UKRAINE
On 17 October, a report from Bloomberg claims that exporters are mixing grain from multiple ports and vessels, obscuring the origin of commodities like wheat and barley, and allowing large volumes to be sold abroad without detection; and using ship-to-ship transfers between legitimate and illegitimate products to mix them in order to try to launder them into a legitimate supply chain.
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-russian-stolen-grains
CHINESE SUPPLIER OF WESTERN AVIATION PRODUCTS HAS SHARED OWNERSHIP WITH US-DESIGNATED MILITARY END-USER
On 19 October, Kharon reported that an investigation had apparently revealed that a Chinese aviation equipment supplier supplied by Western aerospace companies – Shenzhen Chengtai Aviation Company Limited – shares ownership and is co-located with a Hong Kong-based firm that the US Government named as a “military end user”.
IS CHINA REALLY USING EX-RAF PILOT FOR TRAINING IN TACTICS INSIGHTS?
The Drive asked this question in an article on 18 October, saying that dozens of British former frontline military pilots have been hired by China to provide training and intelligence to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to reports corroborated by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). Around 30 apparently began working for China from the end of 2019 onward and are said to be earning around £240,000 a year. They are said to be teaching the PLA students at a privately-run training centre in South Africa, the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, or TFASA.
UK ADDS 4 NEW ENTRIES TO RUSSIAN SANCTIONS LIST AND AMENDS ANOTHER – NEW NAMES LINKED TO SUPPLY OF IRANIAN DRONES TO RUSSIA
On 20 October, a Notice from HM Treasury advised that Saeed AGHAJANI; Mohammad BAGHERI; Seyed Hojjatollah QUREISHI; and SHAHED AVIATION INDUSTRIES had been added to the lists. At the same time the existing entry for Oleksandr SAULENKO has been amended.
PUTIN’S VODKA GIFT TO BERLUSCONI BREACHED EU SANCTIONS
On 20 October, EurActiv reported that the 20 bottles of vodka sent to Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi as a birthday gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin breach European sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission has said.
WHO SYRIA CHIEF ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION, ABUSE AND FRAUD IN DAMNING INVESTIGATION
On 20 October, the Telegraph reported that the head of the World Health Organization in Syria has been accused of mismanaging millions of dollars, being abusive towards staff and cosying up to a regime waging war against its citizens.
US DOJ SUES INDICTED FOUNDER OF A CRYPTOCURRENCY “MIXER” TO RECOVER A $60 MILLION CIVIL PENALTY IMPOSED IN 2020 FOR ALLEGED FAILURES TO MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE AML PROGRAM
On 20 October, Reuters reported that the DoJ is suing Larry Harmon of Ohio who ran a cryptocurrency “mixer,” or “tumbler” called Helix, that US authorities said could send virtual currency in a way that concealed the source or owner. FinCEN imposed a $60 million civil money payment on Harmon and alleged that Harmon was operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Last year, Harmon pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy charge.
FORMER BOLIVIAN MINISTER PLEADS GUILTY IN THE US TO NRIBERY AND MONEY LAUNDERING
On 20 October, the Rio Times reported that former Bolivian government minister Arturo Murillo, the most influential in the administration of former de facto president Jeanine Áñez (2019-2020), has pleaded guilty to crimes such as bribery and money laundering in the US.
RESPONDING TO ILLEGAL MINING AND TRAFFICKING IN METALS AND MINERALS: A GUIDE TO GOOD LEGISLATIVE PRACTICES
This new guide from the UN Office of Drugs and Crime states that its purpose is to support Governments in adopting or improving national legislation related to the prevention, investigation and prosecution of illegal mining and trafficking in metals and minerals, through the legislative framework offered by the Organised Crime Convention. The guide approaches illegal mining and trafficking in metals and minerals from a criminal justice perspective. Broader topics such as the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining and the development of rural mining communities are addressed only briefly. The extraction of hydrocarbons and related activities are excluded from the guide because they are usually regulated by a distinct set of laws that regulate the oil and gas industry.
https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/pdf/2210659E-ebook-Illegal_Mining-advancecopy.pdf
EUROJUST REPORT ON MONEY LAUNDERING
On 20 October, Eurojust – the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation – published this report which presents key findings based on Eurojust’s money laundering casework and expertise built up over the years. It is the Agency’s first dedicated publication on money laundering. The report aims to support national authorities dealing with cross-border money laundering cases by providing an overview of the legal and practical challenges, as well as solutions, including the use of Eurojust’s judicial cooperation tools. Between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021 almost 3 000 corruption cases were registered at Eurojust, with cases steadily rising since 2016.
https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/publication/eurojust-report-money-laundering
FIGHTING FRAUD WITHIN THE SUPPLY CHAIN: 3 TIPS FOR EXECUTIVES
On 19 October, Global Trade Magazine published an article which set out to show executives 3 common types of fraud – theft, cyber and bribery – and 3 ways to reduce them.
https://www.globaltrademag.com/fighting-fraud-within-the-supply-chain-3-tips-for-executives/
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