Financial Crime

PEPs & Sanctions

UK Launches New Sanctions Regime Targeting People Smuggling

By Manesh Samtani | 25/07/2025

New powers include asset freezes and director disqualifications, targeting financiers, suppliers, and gangs from the Middle East to China.

Anti-Money Laundering

IFTI Business: The Story Behind PayPal's Epic Enforceable Undertaking

By Nathan Lynch | 25/07/2025

The completion of PayPal’s Enforceable Undertaking with AUSTRAC brings to a close one of the most extraordinary chapters in AML/CTF supervision.

Cloud & Infrastructure

India Unveils New Rules for GIFT City TechFin and Ancillary Services

By Nithya Subramanian | 25/07/2025

New regulations require registration, compliance officers, and 'fit and proper' standards for firms offering technology and support services to financial institutions.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Hong Kong Developing New Rules to Support Elderly Banking Consumers

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/07/2025

Regulators will issue elderly-friendly banking guidelines to improve the banking experience for seniors, and require banks to offer a "default no-online banking" option to customers.

Market Abuse

FSC Korea to Introduce Tougher Measures Against Illegal Stock Trading

By Nithya Subramanian | 25/07/2025

The FSC proposed shifting from account-based to individual-centred monitoring and doubling fines for unfair trades, effective October.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

AFCA Sees High Volume of Complaints Continue

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/07/2025

Australia's complaints body is calling for mandatory scam codes and highlights the need for a compensation scheme as complaint volumes remain "unacceptably high".

Anti-Money Laundering

Australian Police, Banks Issue Joint Warning on Money Mule Accounts

By Manesh Samtani | 25/07/2025

ABA CEO Anna Bligh described the use of mule accounts as a "key tactic in a criminal’s playbook" and effectively a "getaway vehicle" for scammers.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Hong Kong to Expand Mandatory Reference Checking Regime Beyond Banks

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/07/2025

From September 2025, the MRC Scheme will be expanded to cover 50,000 frontline staff involved in securities, insurance, or MPF regulated activities.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Indian Regulators Unveil New Initiatives to Combat Digital Fraud

By Mark Johnston | 25/07/2025

Indian regulators have unveiled a multi-pronged strategy that includes a new system for managing customer consents and dedicated numbering for financial services calls.