Compliance

Digital wealth, physical harm: The rise of crypto kidnapping
AFC Challenges, Compliance, Global Financial Crime Review, Practical Solutions, September – November 2025

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During the past year, there has been a dramatic increase in physical violence toward individuals within the crypto industry or associated with crypto wealth. This new variant of kidnapping for ransom During the past year, there has been a dramatic increase in physical violence toward...
Risks and romance: What the dating industry can learn from financial crimes compliance
AFC Challenges, Compliance, Fraud, September – November 2025

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In the financial services industry, money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions regulations require financial institutions to implement governance frameworks for managing risks, accountability and public trust. In the financial services industry, money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions regulations require financial institutions (FIs) to implement governance...
Fighting fentanyl: OFAC and FINCEN trends in financial services and beyond
AFC Policy, Compliance, Global Financial Crime Review, September – November 2025

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Disclaimer: Nothing herein is intended to be legal advice and should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice. On January 20, 2025, Inauguration Day, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 14157 promising to implement policies designed to achieve the “total elimination” of certain...
Enterprise risk management techniques to strengthen due diligence controls
AFC Policy, Compliance, Practical Solutions, September – November 2025

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Financial institutions (FIs) are often exposed to various risks during the course of their operations. However, the risks arising from instances relating to financial crimes and anti-money laundering (AML) are the most detrimental. Such risks not only expose FIs to heavy financial penalties but can...
The transparency imperative: The power of full disclosure in AML/CTF reviews
Compliance, Exclusive, Practical Solutions, September – November 2025

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Independent anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) and sanctions reviews required under the Bank Secrecy Act are more than compliance exercises. Their strategic value lies in their capacity to reveal vulnerabilities, affirm control effectiveness and validate governance. But their utility hinges on transparency. Financial institutions must treat...
The exploitation gamble: Financial sextortion of minors
AFC Challenges, Compliance, Global Financial Crime Review, Practical Solutions, September – November 2025

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The headlines are horrifying. It seems every week another teenager has committed suicide as a result of financially motivated sextortion. The loss of life rightly captures the headlines, but the business model of blackmailing kids with explicit images can no longer escape the limelight. But...