U.S. Sanctions Mexico-Based Human Smuggling Network
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday blacklisted a Mexican human-smuggling ring, imposing sanctions against four individuals and 16 companies it says helped illegally migrate to the United States. The Cancun-based Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization has illicitly transported thousands of people from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia […]
Al Qaeda-Linked Militants Could Soon Control Mali’s Capital
Al Qaeda’s West Africa affiliate is edging toward a historic first: control of a national capital. JNIM have tightened a monthslong blockade of Bamako, choking off fuel and food in a strategy European security officials describe as a creeping takeover rather than an all-out assault.
Portugal Probes More Than 20 People in Second Novo Banco Raid of 2025
Portuguese authorities are examining more than 20 individuals linked to a Novo Banco SA real-estate transaction after a fresh round of raids on the bank, according to multiple news reports.
AUSTRAC Fines Crypto ATM Operator as Scam Concerns Grow
Australia’s financial crimes watchdog has fined a second crypto ATM provider in a widening crackdown on machines increasingly linked to money laundering and scams, the country’s ABC News reported.
Mexico’s Banks Look to Tighten AML Controls after U.S. Crackdown
Mexico’s banking lobby is urging lenders to adopt tougher rules on illicit finance that go beyond current law, after U.S. authorities moved to sever three Mexican firms from the American financial system for allegedly laundering money for fentanyl traffickers, according to Bloomberg.
Ex-Director of U.S. Defense Contractor Pleads Guilty to Selling Trade Secrets
A former director at Trenchant, an L3Harris Technologies subsidiary that develops offensive cyber tools, pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing and reselling trade secrets worth $35 million to a Russian broker whose clients include the Russian government, Bloomberg reported.
Colombia says ELN Laundered $225 Million through Front Companies
Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office accused the National Liberation Army (ELN) of running a two-decade money-laundering network that washed more than $225 million (COP 885 billion) in illicit proceeds through a web of shell and front companies across the country, according to a statement cited by Colombia Reports.
How a NZ Maritime Insurer Purportedly Helped Provide Cover for Banned Oil Sales
A New Zealand–based marine insurer played a pivotal role in keeping a fleet of tankers carrying Iranian and Russian oil moving to Asian markets despite Western sanctions, according to a Reuters investigation that has prompted scrutiny from authorities in Wellington.
After Years of Compliance Curbs, JPMorgan to Resume Dollar-Clearing in Angola
JPMorgan Chase will provide U.S.-dollar clearing services in Angola, becoming the first major American lender to reengage with the African nation following major corruption scandals and years of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance restrictions, Bloomberg reported.
Growing Mafia Power Puts Belgium at Risk of Becoming ‘Narco-State’: Judge
Belgium is in danger of evolving into a “narco-state” as organized crime penetrates key institutions and exploits Antwerp’s giant port to smuggle cocaine into Europe, an investigating judge warned in an open letter cited by the Financial Times.