Financial Crime

PEPs & Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions Two More Iran-Linked Circumvention Networks

By Manesh Samtani | 04/04/2025

A China-based motor manufacturer and a Hong Kong-based ship operator were included in the sanctions.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC v Entain: Key Lessons for Anti-Money Laundering Teams

By Nathan Lynch | 04/04/2025

AUSTRAC’s case against global sports betting behemoth Entain provides a raft of warnings for AML compliance teams, writes Nathan Lynch.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Korean Regulators to Intensify Scrutiny of IPO Applicants

By Nithya Subramanian | 04/04/2025

The enhanced scrutiny is a response to cases where stock prices plummeted shortly after listing and concerns about the financial health of newly listed firms.

KYC & CDD

JBA Launches Working Group to Improve Beneficial Shareholder Transparency

By Thisanka Siripala | 03/04/2025

The group will address practical issues and develop operational schemes to enhance the efficiency of identifying beneficial shareholders

Trading & Investment

SEBI Explores Allowing Foreigners Direct Access to Indian Stocks

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/04/2025

The new proposal will bypass the existing FPI framework. It aims to expand India’s investor base and boost market liquidity.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Japan Securities Firms Hit by Wave of Phishing Attacks

By Thisanka Siripala | 03/04/2025

Rakuten and SBI Securities are among the firms reporting unauthorised transactions linked to phishing attacks.

Anti-Money Laundering

Real Estate Still a Safe Haven for Dirty Money: Transparency International

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/04/2025

Singapore and Indonesia scored among the highest, while Australia, South Korea and Japan scored among the lowest in the Opacity in Real Estate Ownership Index.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Japan to Commence Bank-to-Bank Information Sharing Trial

By Thisanka Siripala | 03/04/2025

JBA-led study group to initiate the sharing of information on criminal accounts with a small number of banks in a trial environment.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC to Start Work on Second Draft on New AML/CTF Rules

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2025

AUSTRAC is reviewing over 100 submissions from last December’s consultation before releasing a second exposure draft on the new AML/CTF Rules.