Financial Crime

Anti-Money Laundering

MAS Fines Atrium Asia Investment Management for AML/CFT Breaches

By Nithya Subramanian | 30/10/2024

The firm’s CEO was also reprimanded over failures to assess risks posed by customers, identify PEPs, and keep adequate records.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Hong Kong to Introduce Anti-Fraud Alerts on ATMs Next Year

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/10/2024

Alerts will pop up for ATM users when they enter details of recipient accounts that have been flagged as “high risk” in the Scameter database.

Anti-Money Laundering

Italy Uncovers Major VAT Fraud Linked to Chinese Money Laundering Network

By Nithya Subramanian | 29/10/2024

The operation spanned 20 Italian cities, leading to the seizure of high-end assets and the arrest of seven suspects, including two alleged ringleaders.

Payments & Settlements

BIS and APAC Central Banks Release Results of Project Mandala

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/10/2024

Project Mandala demonstrated that jurisdiction-specific regulatory requirements can be embedded in cross-border transaction protocols.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

MAS Issues Amended E-Payments User Protection Guidelines

By Nithya Subramanian | 29/10/2024

The guidelines take effect the same day as the new Shared Responsibility Framework for phishing scams. MAS also issued a circular on anti-scam measures for MPIs that provide e-wallets.

Supervision & Enforcement

ASIC Annual Report Details Increasing Focus on Accountability, Enforcement

By Thisanka Siripala | 29/10/2024

In the 12 months ending June 2024, ASIC conducted 690 surveillance operations and 168 formal investigations, and filed 32 cases against 69 defendants.

Cryptocurrency

SFC Announces Next Steps for Hong Kong Virtual Asset Regime

By Manesh Samtani | 28/10/2024

More VATP applicants will be licensed by year-end, and a consultative panel comprising all licensees will be established in 2025 to draw lessons for new licensing frameworks.

Anti-Money Laundering

FinCEN Fines Hotel-Casino $900,000 for AML Failures

By Thisanka Siripala | 27/10/2024

Lake Elsinore Hotel and Casino in California failed to maintain an effective AML programme over a four-year period.

PEPs & Sanctions

Russia’s State Duma Ratifies Defence Treaty with North Korea

By Editors | 27/10/2024

The ratification comes as the US confirmed South Korean intelligence that thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia for training.