Financial Crime

Supervision & Enforcement

SFC Reaffirms “Uncompromising” Approach Towards Criminal Syndicates

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 27/08/2025

SFC Chairman Kelvin Wong outlined a series of enforcement and governance measures aimed at tackling criminal syndicates and safeguarding market integrity.

PEPs & Sanctions

RBI Urges Banks to Tighten Scrutiny on Pakistan Fund Flows

By Editors | 27/08/2025

RBI directed lenders to enhance checks on indirect fund transfers from Pakistan, citing high risks of arms financing.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines Could Return to FATF Grey List Over Gambling Risks: BSP

By Editors | 27/08/2025

BSP warnings and data from The Fourth Wall highlight the urgent need for stricter online gambling controls in the Philippines.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

HKMA Adds 'Deepfake' Guidance to E-Banking Security Framework

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 27/08/2025

The HKMA has expanded its e-banking security framework, adding a new component to tackle deepfake risks and detailing specific verification and customer education practices.

Anti-Money Laundering

FATF Flags Rising Terror Finance Risks via Crypto, Social Media

By Manesh Samtani | 27/08/2025

FATF president flags growing use of virtual assets and social media for terror financing, calls for stronger global implementation of CFT rules.

PEPs & Sanctions

Australian Sanctions Office Overhauls Consolidated List Format

By Manesh Samtani | 26/08/2025

DFAT’s Asset Freezing division introduces alias strength ratings and standardised data fields for the Consolidated List from 1 November 2025.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

SFC Fines HSBC HKD 4.2m for Research Disclosure Breaches

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 26/08/2025

The SFC cited years of systemic data and control deficiencies that led to thousands of incorrect disclosures in investment research reports.

Anti-Money Laundering

De-Banking Demystified: Australian Court Case Highlights AML 'Tightrope Walk' for Banks

By Nathan Lynch | 26/08/2025

An Australian bank’s decision to close the accounts belonging to a Middle Eastern charity has highlighted the need to take a measured approach to “de-banking” decisions.

Market Abuse

New Zealand FMA Warns 'Shadow Insider Trading' May Breach Laws

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 26/08/2025

The FMA has clarified that using confidential information about one company to trade in a related firm is a conduct risk.