Richard Assheton has half a decade's experience reporting from across Europe, Africa and Asia for news brands including The Times, the Financial Times and the Guardian, covering global events and producing exclusive news and features. His subjects are not always easy interviews: he has sought out ...

Disgraced Nigerian bank chief accused of hiding £543m in the UK

26 Dec 2023  |  www.thetimes.co.uk  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Nigeria’s former central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, is accused of hiding £543 million in UK accounts and stealing £5 million from the bank's vaults. An investigation revealed he maintained 593 bank accounts across the UK, US, and China. Emefiele allegedly colluded with finance ministry associates to embezzle central bank loans, inflate costs of a failed cash note redesign, and misappropriate funds approved by the president.

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Financial Crime Corruption

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Amen Assignon is a journalist based in Lomé, Togo.
I like work that is well done . I am interested in all subjects that affect the development of Africa.
I realize audiovisual productions on various subjects. Politics, economy, culture, social. And also voiceovers for documentaries.

A high-level meeting to strengthen the fight against financial crime

17 Oct 2024  |  Voice of America  |  French  |  Financial Crime

Experts from the global financial sector convene in Lomé, Togo, for the Grande Rencontre des Compliance et Risk Officers, aiming to combat financial crime in Africa. The meeting focuses on enhancing compliance with regulations and managing financial risks crucial for the continent's economic development.

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Financial Crime Economic Development

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Marco Babic is a journalist based in Pfäffikon, Switzerland specializing in economics, central banks and statistics. Also translating from German into English.

Life in the Fraud Lane: F1 Tycoon Ecclestone Pleads Guilty in Tax Case

12 Oct 2023  |  www.finews.com  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Formula One impresario Bernie Ecclestone pleaded guilty to criminal tax fraud, concealing £400 million from British tax authorities. The case, involving assets held at Julius Baer in Singapore, concluded with Ecclestone receiving a 17-month suspended prison sentence and agreeing to pay £652.6 million in taxes, interest, and penalties. His lawyer described the incident as an impulsive lapse of judgment.

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Financial Crime Tax Fraud Legal Proceedings

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At Whiz Consulting, we help you efficiently deal with your business finance. Our experts have decade-long experience and served various businesses, be it e-commerce companies or aged care centres. We help each client with tailor-made bookkeeping and accounting solutions. 

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Financier who gave Prince Andrew and Duchess of York £1.4m is jailed

07 Mar 2024  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Selman Turk, a financier, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for contempt of court after being found guilty of concealing payments, including £1.4 million given to Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. The funds were allegedly part of a £40 million investment on behalf of Nebahat Isbilen, whose husband was jailed for life for his alleged involvement in a failed Turkish coup. The case also involves Tarek Kaituni, a convicted Libyan gun smuggler with links to Colonel Gaddafi. The ruling was made by Judge Sir Anthony Mann at the High Court in London.

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Financial Crime Royal Family

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Lyse Comins is a freelance journalist and content creator in Durban South Africa.  She covers, business, consumer and social rights, breaking news and health as well as business to business communications for clients across South Africa. Her work has been  has published in The Mercury, Freight and ...

Financial crimes watchdog nets R100 million in penalties

28 Mar 2024  |  mg.co.za  |  English  |  Financial Crimes

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) imposed R100 million in penalties over the past year for misconduct in the financial sector, referring numerous cases to law enforcement for further investigation. The FSCA's enforcement team, led by Gerhard van Deventer, presented their findings in Durban, highlighting issues such as illegal trading, unregistered cryptocurrency scams, and fraudulent insurance practices. The authority has taken various actions, including suspending and withdrawing licenses, issuing public warnings, and focusing on regulating funeral parlours involved in unregistered insurance activities. The FSCA also addressed the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments and emphasized the importance of visible enforcement to maintain industry integrity.

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Financial Crimes Regulatory Actions Cryptocurrency

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Isabella Cota is a freelance journalist based in Ciudad de México, Mexico. As a former Bloomberg Correspondent she has covered Latin America's most exciting business, financial, political and social stories. She was previously with Reuters and has collaborated with The Guardian, BBC Mundo, NPR and ...

CEO Antonio Mexia secretly held $5.9M in the British Virgin Islands

25 Sept 2024  |  www.icij.org  |  English  |  Financial Crimes

Antonio Mexia, former CEO of Energias de Portugal, is implicated in holding $5.9 million in a secret offshore company, Miamex Ventures Ltd., in the British Virgin Islands, as revealed by the Pandora Papers. The funds were managed by Bernardo d’Orey of EFG Capital. Mexia is under investigation by the Portuguese public prosecutor for corruption and financial crimes during his tenure at EDP. Miamex was dissolved in 2020, shortly before Mexia was questioned by prosecutors. The ongoing legal cases may face delays as authorities seek more information on the offshore company.

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Financial Crimes Corruption Pandora Papers

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Laura Couto is a journalist based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She works as a correspondent of NBC Sports. She has worked in TV, radio, newspapers and webpages.

Gospel singer and husband accused of running a financial pyramid scheme are arrested in BH

07 Oct 2023  |  cbn.globoradio.globo.com  |  Portuguese  |  Financial Crime

Isabela Cristi Gomes Barros, a gospel singer known as Izabela Cristy, and her husband David Robson de Barros were arrested by the Civil Police of Minas Gerais in Lagoa Santa, part of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte. The arrests were made following a new preventive detention order issued by the Minas Gerais Justice on October 7. Both are accused of running a financial pyramid scheme.

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Financial Crime Law Enforcement

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Armed with ten years of experience on the field as a journalist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I now assume my role as a independent broadcast journalist. I recently hosted for VICE News in Malaysia and when I am not on camera, I produce news packages and documentaries for international news ...

Singapore Border Could See Spread of Financial Scams in Southeast Asia

20 Jun 2024  |  IACC Series  |  English  |  Financial Scams

Concerns are rising over potential financial scams at the Malaysia-Singapore border, particularly with the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ). While no corruption cases have been linked to the SEZ, experts warn of risks similar to those in neighboring countries. The involvement of organized crime, particularly Chinese Triads, in Malaysia is highlighted, with significant financial losses reported. Despite strong economic ties between Malaysia and Singapore, transparency and regional cooperation are urged to combat these crimes.

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Organized Crime Financial Scams Economic Development

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Sam Edwards has worked as a correspondent for Reuters and Bloomberg Industry and written for The Guardian Long Read, Politico.eu, and The Nation, among others. His work has been supported by the European Centre of Journalism and the Pulitzer Center.

Brazil Investigating $188 Million Tax Credit Fraud Scheme

18 Jun 2024  |  news.bloombergtax.com  |  English  |  Financial Crime

The Brazilian government is investigating a tax credit fraud scheme valued at over 1 billion reales ($188 million), allegedly orchestrated by a fraudulent consultancy. The operation involved police raids on seven properties across Brazil, with the Finance Ministry's cooperation, to gather evidence of fraud, document falsification, and money laundering. The Finance Ministry likened the consultancy's operations to piracy, highlighting the widespread impact across various regions.

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Financial Crime Tax Fraud

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Onur Erdoğan is a journalist based in Mersin, Turkey. He started out as a foreign desk reporter at CNN Turk in 2002. He then worked at TRT Turk first as an editor then as the Baghdad Correspondent and Bureau Chief. Later he worked for Fox TV Turkey as the foreign desk chief. In 2011 he started to ...

How Türkiye is tackling growing issue of illegal betting

13 Nov 2024  |  Türkiye Today  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Türkiye is intensifying its efforts to combat illegal betting, which poses significant economic and social risks. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is targeting illegal betting organizations operating on social media, while the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) has identified extensive use of bank accounts for illegal betting collections. Legal betting in Türkiye is strictly regulated, with severe penalties for violations. Illegal betting is linked to organized crime, financial risks, and lack of consumer protection. Authorities have restricted access to thousands of illegal betting websites, and high-profile individuals have been implicated in promoting these activities. Despite these efforts, illegal betting remains pervasive, with operations often disguised as legitimate international corporations.

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Financial Crime Illegal Betting Gambling Regulations

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I’m currently working with Geo Television Network and The News International as Special Correspondent in Islamabad, Pakistan. I’m also contributing for The Washington Post and CNN International in Islamabad. I do cover important issues ranging from war on terrorism to politics and human rights in ...

Profile accused in billions of rupees alleged money laundering case

20 Oct 2023  |  HUM News  |  English  |  Financial Crime

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore has summoned Sabir Hameed, also known as Mithu, in an alleged money laundering case involving suspicious transactions totaling over Rs5 billion. The inquiry, initiated by the FIA's Anti Money Laundering Wing, follows a report flagging these transactions as potentially illicit. Mithu, who has been formally notified, is required to provide a detailed account of the transactions. The investigation has revealed 19 accounts linked to Mithu, including 14 domestic and five foreign accounts. Family members claim all assets and bank details have been declared to the Federal Board of Revenue. The inquiry is ongoing, with further details expected to emerge.

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Financial Crime Money Laundering

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Andrew is a Doha based journalist covering Business and Finance, Middle Eastern affairs, and the Aviation industry. He regularly contributes to The Daily Caller and Airways Magazine, and has bylines in Lone Conservative, International Policy Digest, The Georgetown Gazette, and several other outlets.

Under Their Noses: US Postal Worker Stole $24 Million in Checks in 4 Months, Feds Allege

03 Nov 2023  |  The Gateway Pundit  |  English  |  Financial Fraud

A U.S. Postal Service employee, Nakedra Shannon, along with Donnell Gardner and Desiray Carter, allegedly stole checks worth at least $24 million and sold them through a Telegram channel. The scheme, which lasted from April to July 2023, involved stealing incoming and outgoing checks at a Charlotte postal processing center. The trio faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit financial institution fraud and theft of government property. The investigation was conducted by several federal and local agencies, leading to the unsealing of the federal indictment and the release of the accused on bond.

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Crime Financial Fraud

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I am a finance journalist and editor, with almost 4 years' experience across full-time and freelance roles, based in London, United Kingdom. I've written about equitiies, commodities, finance, investing and emerging markets extensively. 

Currently, I'm a business reporter at Euronews. I've ...

Financial crime compliance: Trends to watch in 2024

03 Jan 2024  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Financial crime compliance is increasingly critical amid geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars, leading to heightened concerns about money laundering and cybercrime. Key trends for 2024 include the importance of real-time monitoring, the strategic use of data and analytics, and the resurgence of wildlife trafficking. Changing international sanctions necessitate dynamic risk assessments, while identifying Ultimate Beneficiary Owners (UBOs) becomes crucial to combat fraud. Artificial intelligence continues to aid in risk assessment and fraud detection, though high implementation costs may hinder widespread adoption. Businesses face a balancing act between compliance costs and customer experience demands.

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Financial Crime Compliance Cybercrime Wildlife Trafficking

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Pesha Magid is a freelance journalist currently based out Baghdad.

ZRA Demands K14.5 Billion in Tax From FIC Cases

30 Oct 2024  |  efficacynews.africa  |  English  |  Financial Crimes

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has issued a K14.5 billion tax demand based on cases of suspected illicit financial flows reported by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). In 2024, ZRA investigated 510 cases, concluding 157, marking an 823.5% increase from the previous year. This efficiency is attributed to the new Financial Crimes Unit and a New Operating Model. The 2025 budget introduces new tax policies, including a 15% Advance Income Tax on certain remittances and exports, and an expanded Export Proceeds Tracking Framework. These measures aim to enhance tax compliance and revenue generation, with ZRA emphasizing the importance of collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies to combat tax evasion.

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Financial Crimes Tax Evasion Zambia Revenue Authority

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I am a Romanian journalist based in Chisinau, Moldova, since 2015. My area of expertise is politics and investigations. However, I wrote features, analysis, interviews and news in English for several foreign media outlets from Europe and Caucasus. I covered also economics and social topics.

Fugitive Moldovan Oligarch Platon Accused of Smuggling Billions from Russia

15 Oct 2024  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Veaceslav Platon, a Moldovan oligarch, is accused by Russia's Interior Ministry of illegally withdrawing 480 million euros from Russia between 2013 and 2014. Platon, who fled to the UK in 2021, is also wanted in Moldova for multiple charges, including large-scale fraud. Despite a 20-year prison sentence in Russia, Moldova has not initiated extradition proceedings. Platon is linked to the Russian Laundromat scheme, which laundered over $21 billion from Russia. He allegedly coordinated with Renato Usatii and Vladimir Plahotniuc in the latest fraud scheme. Platon's legal troubles continue as he seeks political asylum in London.

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Financial Crime Extradition International Law

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Chika Onyesi is a journalist based in Abuja, Nigeria.

NDIC solicits return of depositors’ funds recovered by EFCC

25 Mar 2024  |  Daily Post Nigeria  |  English  |  Financial Crimes

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has reaffirmed its dedication to investigating and prosecuting those responsible for bank failures. NDIC Managing Director Bello Hassan, during a visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, urged the EFCC to return recovered funds to facilitate depositor reimbursements. Hassan highlighted the NDIC's role in combating financial crimes and the importance of its partnership with the EFCC. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede stressed the link between criminal activities and bank failures, calling for increased oversight by the NDIC and the Central Bank of Nigeria to prevent such risks.

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Financial Crimes Banking Sector

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Richard Orange is a journalist based in Malmö, Sweden.

The answer to solving financial crime lies in data

16 Nov 2023  |  www.finextra.com  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Financial institutions are continuously combating financial crimes such as money laundering, bribery, fraud, terrorist financing, and corruption, which cost the global economy around $2.1 trillion annually. The complexity of the financial system and regulatory environment generates vast amounts of data, which institutions often struggle to manage due to manual processes and outdated systems. However, the key to mitigating financial crime risks is effective data management and utilization, with data engineering, data science, and cloud engineering playing crucial roles. Global spending on financial crime prevention is projected to surpass $28 billion by 2027.

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Financial Crime Economic Impact

Josh Poyser is a freelance journalist and photographer based in Leeds, United Kingdom.

An interview with Adam Famularo, CEO of WorkFusion

08 Apr 2024  |  Fintech Intel  |  English  |  AI in Financial Services

WorkFusion, led by CEO Adam Famularo, is an AI digital workforce solutions company that automates complex tasks for financial institutions, focusing on anti-money laundering compliance. Famularo emphasizes the importance of AI in improving efficiency and risk management in the financial sector. WorkFusion's AI Digital Workers, like Evelyn, help banks manage compliance challenges and reduce labor costs. Famularo envisions WorkFusion as essential technology for combating financial crime, with a focus on customer-driven product development and the integration of advanced AI models. The company aims to address staffing challenges and enhance customer experiences in the financial industry.

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Financial Crime Compliance AI in Financial Services Automation

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Petrus Riski is a journalist based in Surabaya, Indonesia.
I like coverage of the environmental, socio-cultural and innovation fields.
Covering features and in-depth news is my specialty in news writing. I know Surabaya and East Java very well. If my skills are needed to cover the East Java ...

Loan Sharks and Fraudulent Investments: Easy Money That Becomes a Threat

31 Oct 2024  |  www.voaindonesia.com  |  Indonesian  |  Digital Crime

The rise of digital crimes, particularly illegal online loans and fraudulent investments, poses a significant threat to society. Driven by urgent economic needs and lifestyle demands, these activities lead to financial fraud and economic entrapment.

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Illegal Financial Activities Digital Crime

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Jeff Stein has covered the spy agencies, military affairs and foreign policy in Washington for nearly 40 years. From 2013 to 2019, he was Newsweek's national security correspondent and SpyTalk columnist. His SpyTalk column originated in 2005 at Congressional Quarterly, where in 2003 he was the ...

Why the U.S. put a $1 million bounty on a Russian yacht’s alleged manager

12 Mar 2024  |  Washington Post  |  English  |  Financial Crime

U.S. authorities have placed a $1 million bounty on Vladislav Osipov, accused of managing a Russian yacht owned by sanctioned billionaire Viktor Vekselberg. The case highlights the U.S. strategy to target intermediaries aiding Russian oligarchs in evading sanctions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Justice and Treasury Departments are intensifying efforts to disrupt Russian financial networks, with recent sanctions and criminal charges against individuals facilitating these evasions. The article underscores the broader implications of these actions on U.S.-Russia relations and the enforcement of international sanctions.

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Financial Crime Sanctions War in Ukraine

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Senanu Tord is a video journalist and a documentary filmmaker who reports on a wide range of issues across Africa. He is originally from Ghana and reports in English but speaks and understands basic French. He has worked in many English-speaking African countries and some francophone countries ...

Journalists trained to help stop Africa’s $90 billion lost to financial crime

28 Oct 2024  |  www.voanews.com  |  English  |  Financial Crime

Africa faces an annual loss of nearly $90 billion due to financial crimes such as corruption, tax evasion, and environmental crime. An initiative is underway to train journalists to investigate and expose the connections between these financial crimes and other illegal activities, aiming to curb the significant financial drain.

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Financial Crime Corruption Journalism Training

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