International

Sanctions

Iran Reported to Have Used UK Banks for Sanctions Evasion

By Editors | 06/02/2024

Iran allegedly used front companies in the UK to conceal real ownership and receive funds at accounts at two of the UK’s largest banks.

Enforcement

US Unseals Charges Against Iranian Oil Trafficking Network

By Editors | 05/02/2024

Nine individuals were charged over the illicit sale of Iranian oil to government-linked buyers in Russia, Syria and China.

Enforcement

HK, SG Take Down 139 Servers in INTERPOL Cybercrime Operation

By Editors | 05/02/2024

Operation Synergia, launched in response to the growing threat of transnational cybercrime, involved more than 50 participating countries.

Fintech / Regtech

ASEAN Ministers Target AI Governance, Data Protection, Scam Prevention

By Ranamita Chakraborty | 05/02/2024

The ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting launched AI governance and data protection guides with Thailand proposing an anti-online scam working group.

Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions Four HK Entities for Supporting Iran

By Editors | 05/02/2024

Three of the Hong Kong companies operated as “covert procurement entities” for Iran’s weapons programmes. The fourth sold Iranian commodities to benefit Iran.

Sanctions

Oil Price Cap Coalition Issues Alert on Evasion Methods

By Editors | 04/02/2024

The alert includes an overview of key oil price cap evasion methods as well as recommendations for identifying them.

Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions Iranians Over Cyber Attacks on US Water Plants

By Editors | 03/02/2024

No critical services were disrupted in the attacks, but OFAC said the US is “deeply concerned” about attacks that target critical infrastructures.

AML / KYC

Binance Faces Lawsuit from Hamas Victims for Facilitating Terrorism

By Editors | 02/02/2024

The lawsuit, which alleges that Binance enabled Hamas to finance the 7 October attacks, also names Iran and Syria as defendants.

Big Picture

Transparency International Releases 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index

By Editors | 01/02/2024

New Zealand and Singapore were the only two APAC countries in the top 10. China and Korea improved their scores over last year.