Financial Crime

PEPs & Sanctions

US Charges Three in $2.5bn Scheme to Divert AI Tech to China

By Nithya Subramanian | 24/03/2026

The indictment alleges executives and a broker used a Southeast Asian firm to bypass export controls on high-performance computer servers.

PEPs & Sanctions

US Treasury Issues Temporary Licence for Iranian Oil Cargoes

By Nithya Subramanian | 23/03/2026

OFAC is allowing sales of Iranian oil to proceed if already at sea, aiming to ease supply pressures while maintaining sanctions restrictions.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Cambodia Prosecute Dozens More Suspects from Scam Compound Raids

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/03/2026

A Phnom Penh court has charged 65 individuals arrested in a 10 March raid on a scam centre. A separate raid on 17 March saw a further 19 arrests.

Emerging Prudential Risks

China Unveils Draft Foundational Law to Overhaul Financial Regulation

By Mark Johnston | 23/03/2026

The comprehensive draft law aims to unify supervision, establish clear risk resolution mechanisms, and increase penalties for financial misconduct.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Vietnam Charges 83 in Major Online Trading Fraud; Payment Firm's Chair Implicated

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/03/2026

Hanoi police have dismantled a fraudulent trading ring that defrauded investors of over VND 1.2 trillion, charging the chairman of a licensed e-wallet company.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines Proposes AML Revision Bill Targeting Digital Assets, Online Gaming

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/03/2026

New bill seeks to significantly strengthen the Philippines' AML framework, expanding its scope to VASPs and online gambling, and granting powerful new tools to the FIU.

Anti-Money Laundering

EU Study Calls for New Global Rules to Address Organised Crime Groups

By Manesh Samtani | 23/03/2026

European Parliament report urges the FATF to tackle illicit finance from state-linked criminal groups, highlighting gaps in international law.

Supervision & Enforcement

RBI Fines HSBC for Lapses in Unclaimed Deposit Compliance

By Nithya Subramanian | 23/03/2026

The penalty relates to the bank's failure to maintain a searchable database and assign reference numbers for unclaimed deposits.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Global Raid Shuts 373,000 Dark Web Sites Run From China

By Manesh Samtani | 23/03/2026

Chinese national allegedly ran a network offering fraudulent cybercrime services and taking payments in Bitcoin, prompting a 23-country crackdown.