This Crazy Crypto Heist Is the Story of Our Time

Billionaire Snatched! Georgia’s shadow ruler accused in shocking kidnapping plot Reported by Philip Shishkin (Summary version featured below. To read full report, go to: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/opinion/bitcoin-georgia-ivanishvili-bachiashvili.html) In a tale straight out of a spy movie, George Bachiashvili, a dashing 40-year-old crypto whiz once trusted by Georgia’s most powerful man, was grabbed off the streets of Abu […]

FINRA probes real estate firm Douglas Elliman over Anywhere bid

Reported by Anirban Sen (Excerpt shared below. To read full report, go to: https://www.reuters.com/world/us-watchdog-probes-real-estate-firm-douglas-elliman-over-anywhere-bid-2025-09-24/)  A Wall Street watchdog is probing trading activity ahead of a failed takeover bid for Douglas Elliman (DOUG.N) and has asked the luxury real estate brokerage who knew about the offer before it became public in late May, according to letters seen by […]

U.S. Treasury pushes AML compliance into the AI era

Reported by FinTech Global (Excerpt shared below. To read full report, go to: https://fintech.global/2025/10/01/u-s-treasury-pushes-aml-compliance-into-the-ai-era/) The U.S. Treasury Department has signalled sweeping changes to the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime, with a vision designed to prioritise outcomes and embrace technology. According to Workfusion, the announcement came during the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists […]

It’s way past time to hit China’s money laundering banks

Reported by GORDON G. CHANG (Excerpt shared below. To read full report, go to: https://thehill.com/opinion/international/5519522-china-money-laundering-fentanyl/amp/) At the conclusion of talks this month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called money laundering “the result of fentanyl sales,” and said “both the People’s Republic of China’s government and the U.S. government and citizens are hurt” by it.  “We discussed ways we […]

Criminal networks dismantled for drug trafficking and money laundering via trade in gold bars

Reported by Eurojust (Excerpt shared below. To read full report, go to: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/news/criminal-networks-dismantled-drug-trafficking-and-money-laundering-trade-gold-bars) A joint French–Italian investigation team has dismantled two linked organised crime groups (OCGs) involved in trafficking illicit drugs and large-scale money laundering. One of the networks laundered money for the other OCG and other criminals through an elaborate gold trading system.  In […]

USD 439 million recovered in global financial crime operation

Reported by Interlol (Excerpt shared below. To read full report, go to: https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2025/USD-439-million-recovered-in-global-financial-crime-operation) An INTERPOL-coordinated operation across 40 countries and territories has resulted in the recovery of USD 342 million in government-backed currencies, along with USD 97 million in physical and virtual assets. Operation HAECHI VI (April – August 2025), targeted seven types of cyber-enabled […]

UK money laundering crackdown continues, as art dealer faces a fine of more than £150,000

Reported by Riah Pryor (Excerpt shared below. To read full report, go to: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/09/23/money-laundering-crackdown-continues-as-dealer-faces-a-fine-of-more-than-£150000) The UK art market is facing a notable escalation in anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement, as the latest round of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) penalties signals a shift from punishing simple registration failures to more deeply scrutinising operational compliance. On 10 […]