Enforcement

Enforcement

EU Report Highlights Divergent AML Paths in Japan and Singapore

By Manesh Samtani | 16/04/2026

New European Parliament briefing contrasts the centralised, risk–based AML model in Singapore with Japan’s more compliance–oriented approach.

Sanctions

China Enacts Sweeping New Powers to Counter Foreign Sanctions

By Mark Johnston | 15/04/2026

The State Council has issued new regulations creating a framework to block foreign extraterritorial measures and penalise compliance within China.

Enforcement

Hong Kong Jails Two Former HSBC Staff over Bribery-for-Accounts Scheme

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/04/2026

The sentences highlight significant AML failures, with 70 accounts opened through the scheme later flagged for potential illicit activity.

Enforcement

Evergrande Founder Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Bribery Charges

By Mark Johnston | 15/04/2026

Hui Ka Yan has admitted to a range of financial crimes in a Shenzhen court, marking a pivotal moment in the developer's collapse.

Enforcement

Hong Kong Charges Middleman in 16-Year-Old KPMG IPO Bribery Case

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/04/2026

A 72-year-old woman has been charged for allegedly offering HKD 400,000 in bribes to KPMG auditors in 2010 to facilitate a fabric manufacturer's IPO.

Enforcement

China Issues Record Penalty Against Domestic Auditor in Fraud Case

By Mark Johnston | 15/04/2026

Regulators have imposed a CNY 243 million penalty and a one-year business suspension on Zhongxingcai Guanghua for major audit failures.

Crypto / Digital Assets

KoFIU Announces Decision to Penalise Crypto Exchange Coinone for AML Failures

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/04/2026

KoFIU has sanctioned crypto exchange Coinone for extensive AML/CFT breaches, as a separate review reveals deep-seated internal control deficiencies.

AML / KYC

Australian Banks Exit 1,000+ Customers in Illicit Tobacco Crackdown

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/04/2026

AUSTRAC reports significant results from a targeted crackdown on illicit tobacco financing, with banks filing hundreds of suspicious matter reports.

Enforcement

China Levels Playing Field in New Anti-Graft Rules

By Mark Johnston | 15/04/2026

A new judicial interpretation targets new forms of corruption and, crucially, aligns criminal standards for private sector and public sector graft.