Illicit Finance

Photo: “Citibank main tenant of MacDonald House, Singapore” by Jnzl’s Photos, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (CC BY 2.0). Source: Flickr photo page. Changes: edited for publication (cropped/toned)

Ex-Citi Banker Jailed in Singapore for Laundering Funds Linked to Chinese Syndicate

A former Citibank relationship manager has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to two years in jail for helping a Chinese criminal network launder money in Singapore, the Financial Times reported. 

“Capitol Hill Hearing (26916954048)” by Maryland GovPics (2018), via Wikimedia Commons (original on Flickr). Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Changes made: edited for publication

Senate GOP Bill Would Raise BSA Reporting Thresholds and Tie Them to Inflation

Proposed legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would increase dollar-thresholds triggering reporting requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act for the first time since 1970 and require periodic adjustments to account for inflation, Republican lawmakers said.  The “Streamlining Transaction Reporting and Ensuring Anti-Money Laundering Improvements for a New Era Act”, or STREAMLINE Act, would raise the […]

Louvre Jewel Heist Probed for Money-Laundering Motive

French investigators are treating Sunday’s smash-and-grab at the Louvre as a potential money-laundering operation, after four masked thieves stormed the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon and escaped with eight pieces of royal jewelry. 

“Challenger (53949598280).jpg” by Airwolfhound (Tim Felce), via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Challenger_(53949598280).jpg License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Bank Compliance Slow Services for Some in Europe’s Growing Defense Sector

European lenders are re-engaging with defense companies but smaller firms in the sector’s supply chain are running into hurdles clearing bank compliance requirements, according to new reporting by The Banker. 

“Frosinone Calcio – Benito Stirpe – vs Genoa (14 May 2023) — Luca Mazzitelli” by Antonio Fraioli, via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited (cropped and color-corrected)

U.S. Charges 777 Partners Co-Founder Over Alleged $500-Million Fraud

Federal prosecutors on Thursday unsealed an indictment charging Josh Wander, co-founder of collapsed investment firm 777 Partners, with wire fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy, alleging he fabricated financial records and misled lenders and investors in a scheme worth up to $500 million. The 17-page filing in Manhattan federal court says Wander used bogus documents and […]