Financial Crime

PEPs & Sanctions

Hong Kong Autonomy Act Advances in US Congress

By Manesh Samtani | 26/06/2020

Once signed into law, the Act will authorise the use of sanctions against individuals, entities and financial institutions in response to China’s new national security law for Hong Kong.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

S. Korean Prosecutors Raid Fund Operator on Fraud Allegations

By Editors | 25/06/2020

Accused of fabricating depository statements, Optimus Asset Management has suspended withdrawals from six feeder funds since last week, locking up 90bn won in investor money.

Anti-Money Laundering

FATF Report Addresses ‘Global Threat’ of Illegal Wildlife Trade

By Manesh Samtani | 25/06/2020

The FATF calls for a coordinated response from public authorities, the private sector and civil society to identify and disrupt financial flows from illegal wildlife trade.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

S. Korea to Crack Down on Predatory Lending

By Editors | 25/06/2020

South Korea is introducing a cross-agency task force to monitor for illegal loan sharking activities and an alert system to detect predatory loan advertisements.

Anti-Money Laundering

NZ Police Seize $90m Allegedly Laundered with Bitcoin

By Editors | 25/06/2020

The seized bank funds, said to be connected to suspected Russian money launderer Alexander Vinnik, represent the largest ever asset restraint in New Zealand police history.

KYC & CDD

HSBC Offers Remote Account Opening to Hong Kong SMEs

By Editors | 24/06/2020

Recent initiatives by HSBC to shift to lower-cost, digital-first services are largely seen as a response to new competition from virtual banks in Hong Kong.

Supervision & Enforcement

ASIC Seeks Penalties from CBA, Colonial First State

By Editors | 24/06/2020

Colonial First State is said to have used CBA’s branches and digital channels to sell superannuation products to more than 390,000 bank customers under a revenue-sharing arrangement.

Anti-Money Laundering

FMA Sues CLSA New Zealand for AML Breaches

By Editors | 24/06/2020

CLSA Premium NZ failed to adequately conduct customer due diligence, terminate certain business relationships, report suspicious transactions, and maintain records.

Anti-Money Laundering

SFC Bans Former Guosen Head of Dealing for 12 months

By Editors | 23/06/2020

The head of dealing “turned a blind eye” to internal control deficiencies in relation to third party deposits brought to her attention by its staff since 2013.