Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Epizodai

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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 286 04.10.2026 19min

  Welcome to episode 286 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury has targeted the Tren de Aragua cyber-fraud network, Cuban trade restrictions, and the "A7 Network" shadow banking system, while the UK has enacted 31 new Russia-related designations, extended the Sakhalin-2 oil price cap exceptions, authorised LNG maritime transport to Japan and South Korea, and initiated its annual frozen assets reporting review. On fraud, National Trading Standards in the UK has launched an AI Scam Watchlist, while US authorities have prosecuted an $80 million federal procurement set-aside fraud scheme, and a $620,000 gang-related mail theft and bank fraud ring. On bribery and corruption, federal prosecutors indicted a former restaurant supply cooperative executive in an $80 million kickback scheme, and the United States has formally notified the Council of Europe of its withdrawal from the anti-corruption monitoring body, GRECO. Finally, the episode covers SEC insider trading charges against a former pharmaceutical executive, ESMA's proposed regulatory revisions to strengthen the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, and there is a £1.8 million Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation order against a former UK National Crime Agency officer following a dark web Bitcoin theft.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 285 01.10.2026 26min

  Welcome to episode 285 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, there are UK arms brokering convictions and updated UN and UK sanctions listings. On money laundering, there are AML mutual evaluation reports from MONEYVAL and the FATF concerning Canada, Türkiye, and Gibraltar. Enforcement authorities across the United States and the United Kingdom have advanced significant fraud actions, and there is a bilateral UK-Cambodia agreement targeting online scam compounds. Finally, there are anti-corruption reports from GRECO and some Ukrainian case-law analysis, SEC insider trading prosecutions, referral conflict penalties, FCA enforcement action against offshore CFD firms and crypto fraudsters, and international cyber defence responses to active digital infrastructure threats.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 284 27.09.2026 13min

  Welcome to episode 284 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, OFSI has established a "presumption of denial" policy for licence applications involving five designated Iranian banks, while OFAC has consolidated its Sanctions Penalty Regulations and updated Syria-related rules. On money laundering, a FCA multi-firm review has urged institutions to strengthen defences against multi-account money mule networks. On fraud enforcement, US federal and state actions secured convictions and indictments involving multi-state tax fraud, a business email compromise proceeds forfeiture, and a $12.2 million stolen Treasury cheque scheme. In broader financial crime, the NCA has launched its 2026 Strategic Assessment, highlighting rising online fraud, crypto laundering, and proposed police reforms. Finally, on cybercrime, the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) have warned of operational vulnerabilities stemming from AI-driven cyber threats, quantum computing risk, and dependencies on non-EEA technology service providers.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 283 24.09.2026 14min

  Welcome to episode 283 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, OFAC designates Iranian digital asset exchange BitBank, and terminates Ethiopia emergency sanctions alongside updated Russia-related Lukoil authorisations. The UK revokes maritime sanctions on the oil tanker ASTRA. On money laundering and regulatory oversight, the UK FCA has opened an enforcement investigation into Euro Exchange Securities, and announced its plan to assume anti-money laundering supervision. Finally, the FATF has issued global red-flag guidance on emerging illicit finance risks in gaming and gambling. On bribery and corruption, former Vitol trader receives a custodial sentence, while GRECO's President urged closer institutional alignment with the EU. Finally, on fraud and cybercrime, a former Puerto Rican bank CEO is sentenced for wire fraud and Venezuela sanctions evasion conspiracy, and the UK National Cyber Security Centre releases scheme guidance for its Cyber Adversary Simulation assurance framework.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 282 20.09.2026 16min

  Welcome to episode 282 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on money laundering and financial integrity, a FinCEN Exchange targets Iranian illicit finance networks, a RUSI commentary evaluates the effectiveness of the global FATF architecture, and the UK government unveils a £550 million Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy. In corruption enforcement, a former French Minister stands trial over alleged lobbying payments. Addressing fraud, UK regulators and oversight bodies have released joint guidance clarifying telecoms data-sharing protocols. In cryptoassets, there is joint UK enforcement actions against unregistered peer-to-peer trading operations, alongside key outcomes from the 10th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets. Finally, on cybercrime, the UK regulator has launched an industry engagement initiative examining the capabilities and security risks of AI in telecommunications cyber defence.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 281 17.09.2026 16min

  Welcome to episode 281 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the US has designated Russian financial institution VTB Bank, while OFSI has issued clarified guidance on crediting interest to frozen accounts. Under money laundering enforcement, the UK government has launched a £500 million strategy recruiting 500 specialist investigators, and former Venezuelan Minister Alex Saab has pleaded guilty in the US to bribery-linked money laundering charges. In corruption and lobbying reforms, Ukraine and the Council of Europe have evaluated the first year of national lobbying legislation. On fraud, US authorities advanced major enforcement actions, including Abbott Laboratories' $384 million False Claims Act settlement, pandemic relief fraud convictions, and extraditions targeting the Black Axe criminal network. On market abuse, developments include insider dealing proceedings against a UK City lawyer, securities fraud charges against a New York hedge fund founder, and guilty pleas in a $3.7 billion insider trading scheme. Finally, in asset recovery and legal sector enforcement, a court has extended a £10 million Account Freezing Order on Premier League royalty funds tied to the Sorare gambling prosecution, and the FCA has banned a former law firm manager following a £28 million client money misappropriation.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 280 13.09.2026 17min

  Welcome to episode 280 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the UK has introduced expanded statutory controls targeting Iranian economic sectors, while the US Department of the Treasury designates procurement networks supporting Kata'ib Hizballah and Lebanese Hizballah. On money laundering and corruption enforcement, HMRC released its list of non-compliant businesses penalised for AML supervision failures, and a third Puerto Rico Treasury employee has pleaded guilty in a $6.77 million tax bribery scheme. On fraud, FinCEN reports $17.5 billion in suspicious activity linked to U.S. healthcare fraud, while the US DOJ Scam Centre Strike Force seized illicit Telegram infrastructure and cryptocurrency. Finally, on market abuse, the SEC has secured a final judgment in an insider trading scheme, and ESMA has highlighted market integrity risks in prediction markets.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 279 10.09.2026 29min

  Welcome to episode 279 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the US has expanded measures targeting Cuban elites, a Turkish financial network, and Iran's commercial aviation sector, while the UK has enacted new designations against West Bank human rights abuses, Hizballah financial entity Al-Qard Al-Hasan, and a compound settlement has been agreed for sanctions breaches. On money laundering, there are indictments in the US, a joint Italian-German operation disrupts a sports association scheme, and AUSTRAC deregisters 45 remittance and crypto providers. Finally, Ukraine's Prosecutor General resigns amid bribery allegations, and in the UK there is a Fraud Strategy from the Ministry of Justice, and annual reports from the City of London Police and the NECC.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 278 06.09.2026 19min

  Welcome to episode 278 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the UK makes several administrative corrections, and there is a term of imprisonment in the US for an individual who smuggled semiconductors to Russia. On money laundering, there is a prison sentence for a money laundering conspiracy, and on bribery and corruption, the UK SFO settles the ENRC civil litigation. On fraud, there are convictions for a Danish researcher, and sentences for three Ethical Forestry Limited directors. On market abuse and regulatory enforcement, charges are brought in a pre-IPO scheme, and in the UK the FCA has proposed a ban and fine against a financial adviser. Finally, on cybercrime, an international public-private coalition has disrupted the two-decade-old Sality peer-to-peer botnet.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 277 03.09.2026 21min

  Welcome to episode 277 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US expands "Operation Economic Outcast", and the UK issues a joint flash alert on the Russian "A7" sanctions evasion network. On money laundering, a prison sentence is handed to a Nigerian money launderer in the US, and the UK Gambling Commission takes enforcement action against two companies. On fraud, there are federal charges in an alleged long-running fraud scheme, and the Five Eyes alliance endorses international measures against global scam networks. On market abuse, a White House teleprompter operator is ordered to pay $172,000 for prediction market insider trading, and on cyber, the UK warns of the targeting of internet-exposed operational technology, and a cyberattack compromises the data of 8.7 million airport customers.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 276 30.08.2026 15min

  Welcome to episode 276 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, OFAC has issued new counter-terrorism designations and updated Russia-related diamond import licences. In the UK, the FCDO has made corrections to UK sanctions, and OTSI has published its first annual review. On money laundering, the UK NCA has forfeited funds from a company over suspected money laundering and sanctions evasion. On fraud enforcement, in the US, there are indictments for an alleged benefit fraud scheme, sentencing of three in a fraud conspiracy, and federal indictment for coordinated deed theft and vehicle title fraud schemes. Finally, the UK FCA has fined and banned former senior executives for operating an artificial £35.5 million investor visa circumvention scheme.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 275 27.08.2026 11min

  Welcome to episode 275 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, US has lifted Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and launched a range of secondary sanctions targeting Iran. On fraud, in the US, there is a Social Security and pension fraud sentencing, as well as one for an ATM jackpotting conspiracy. There is the conviction in relation to a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme and, finally, the US DoJ has launched the National Fraud Detection Centre to eliminate silos in federal benefit oversight. In the UK, a director has been disqualified for nine years for pre-insolvency asset transfers, and INTERPOL has announced early outcomes from a coordinated operation against cyber-fraud.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 274 23.08.2026 16min

  Welcome to episode 274 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK has issued a sanctions alignment following amendments by the UN, and the US has issued sanctions against Cuban officials and a Turkish-led Hizballah cash-smuggling network. Finally, the International Criminal Court has responded to the US sanctions imposed on two of its members. On enforcement news, the UK Gambling Commission has settled anti-money laundering and terrorist financing compliance failures against a gambling company, and the US has indicted a senior executive for alleged insider trading. Finally, the FCA has brought enforcement action against two individuals, APRA has published its 2026–27 Corporate Plan, and collaborative guidance has been proposed by the UKFIU to streamline reporting and reduce duplicative SARs filings for fraud victims.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 273 20.08.2026 15min

  Welcome to episode 273 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the UK Foreign Office updates counter-terrorism designations, and the US government sanctions members of the ICC. On money laundering, there is a 15-year sentence for a Chinese money launderer. Moving to fraud and bribery, there is the arrest of a public official over alleged pandemic relief fraud, the conviction of a former New Mexico State Representative and her associate for bribery and money laundering, and charges in an alleged subprime auto loan securitisation fraud. Finally, the Maldives ICO has a new five-year strategic plan, the UK FCA issues permanent bans and fines against former asset management executives for fabricating a €200 million bond portfolio, and there is a cyberattack on the French tax agency.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 272 16.08.2026 12min

  Welcome to episode 272 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions developments, a US manufacturer has settled an apparent Iran sanctions violation with OFAC, while the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has amended and extended its Lukoil General Licences. On money laundering enforcement, the US Treasury Department has repealed the beneficial ownership reporting rule for domestic businesses, while on market abuse the SEC has brought charges in respect of an affinity fraud targeting Orthodox Jewish communities. On cybercrime, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) reprimanded the ACRO Criminal Records Office over system vulnerabilities which exposed sensitive personal data, while Taiwan has disclosed an automated, AI-driven hacking campaign against state targets. Finally, the US government has authorised vetted private sector firms to engage in offensive digital operations under federal supervision.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 271 13.08.2026 15min

  Welcome to episode 271 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on money laundering, we look at the English Court of Appeal’s decision in R v Osmond concerning the tipping-off offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. On bribery and corruption, we look at the agreement between the DoJ and Veloxis Pharmaceuticals. On market abuse, the US Securities and Exchange Commission brings charges against Adit Ventures Management LLC, and some associated with it. Finally, a new book exploring the ethical failures at the Post Office in the UK has been published.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 270 26.07.2026 13min

  Welcome to episode 270 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK amends its Russia sanctions list with administrative variations and corrections for three individuals, while OFAC designates individuals and entities associated with Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood financial networks. Concurrently, the European Union adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia, expanding them across all fronts. Finally, in economic crime developments, a University of Manchester study published in the Journal of Economic Criminology examines the National Economic Crime Centre, highlighting how systemic tensions, digital infrastructure gaps, and multi-agency resource constraints continue to hamper the UK's coordinated response to financial crime.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 269 23.07.2026 19min

  Welcome to episode 269 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, there are major global developments across sanctions, money laundering, fraud, regulatory enforcement, and cyber security. In sanctions developments, OFAC clarified deposit requirements for Venezuelan earthquake relief, OFSI has updated its basic needs licensing guidance, and the EU has designated Russia's ABS Electro Group. On money laundering, the FATF has issued a targeted update warning of criminal exploitation of virtual assets, while on fraud, a businesswoman has been sentenced for pandemic loan fraud, and a major overhaul of the UK’s fraud prosecution system is urged. In Europe, BaFin has fined TeamViewer SE €240,000 for delayed cyberattack disclosure, and the European Commission published its seventh annual Rule of Law Report. The Serious Fraud Office in the UK has released its 2025-26 annual accounts highlighting operational and asset recovery milestones, and the Prudential Regulation Authority has fined HDI Global SE £4,165,000 for inaccurate data reporting. Finally, the BIS has warned of the asymmetric cyber threats posed by autonomous frontier AI models to the global financial system.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 268 19.07.2026 18min

  Welcome to episode 268 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the United Nations Security Council has blacklisted two entities and six armed group commanders operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while the US Treasury designated over 50 targets and shipping vessels linked to the multi-jurisdictional oil network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. Money laundering enforcement saw the US Department of Justice prosecute a $43 million Chinese "pig butchering" scam network and sentence two former TD Bank insiders for taking bribes to open fraudulent accounts, as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released a report warning of sophisticated criminal exploitation of virtual assets, decentralised finance (DeFi), and proprietary stablecoins. In fraud developments, US federal courts sentenced individuals across three unrelated government contracting, scrap metal, and COVID-19 tax credit schemes, while the UK's National Crime Agency secured convictions in a pandemic nitrile glove procurement fraud and collaborated with Nigerian authorities to arrest six celebrity-impersonating scammers. Finally, United Nations agencies are supporting anti-corruption programmes in Haiti and Kyrgyzstan through school integrity clubs and digital public sector solutions, as global authorities deploy coordinated indictments and prison terms, including cyberattack sentences for members of the "Scattered Spider" collective, to disrupt resilient cybercrime infrastructure and state-backed networks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay. 
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  Financial Crime Weekly Episode 267 16.07.2026 20min

  Welcome to episode 267 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, there is significant global enforcement actions, regulatory updates, and compliance developments. In sanctions enforcement, the US has targeted Iranian financial networks, blocked state-owned Cuban entities, and made cyber designations. Concurrently, the UK expanded its sanctions to target Russian GRU officers, cybercriminals operating the "Lumma Stealer" malware, and staff of the Rybar media company, while also freezing Iranian-linked groups, and modifying sanctions for those with Russian ties. The UK has also extended the operation of a licence for sanctioned brokerages, while a study examines Russian fossil fuel exports. In other news from the UK, the three financial regulators have initiated joint supervisory oversight of major cloud infrastructure providers. In the US, there is the conviction of a Massachusetts man for illegally exporting sensitive dual-use microelectronics to Iran, the unsealing of a US indictment against three Russian nationals, and a guilty plea of a former media company Chief Financial Officer. Finally, the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry report details approximately £10 billion in wasted PPE procurement and alleged favouritism in the VIP supply lanes.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial. The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.