The Financial Action Task Force, the global standard-setter in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, has revised the Recommendations after more than two years of efforts by member countries. The Recommendations are used by more than 180 governments to combat these crimes.
Identifying counterfeit euros – consultation decision HM Treasury (HMT) have published the results of their consultation on the UK’s implementation of European Union (EU) Regulations 44/2009 and 45/2009, requiring Currency Exchange Offices and Money Transmitters to have procedures in place selectively to check euro notes and coins using an approved method. Following the consultation, the […]
Richard Braysher of 2 High Road, Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 2EW, the Investigation Committee made an order that the member be severely reprimanded, fined £5,000 and pay costs of £1,280
Shah v HSBC: Court of Appeal Says the Identity of Staff Making SARs in Good Faith is Not Disclosable
The Court of Appeal in London ruled on 13 October that HSBC Private Bank did not have to disclose the identity of employees who had made internal reports which had led to suspicious activity reports (“SARs”) being filed with the authorities unless there was a firm suggestion on bad faith on their part.
The judgment is the result of satellite litigation arising from the more famous 2010 case of Shah v HSBC, in which the Court of Appeal ruled that parties which had suffered loss as a result of SARs being filed were entitled to demand proof from the regulated institution responsible that the suspicion on which the SAR was founded existed.
Andrew Meeson, the former President of the Association of Taxation Technicians and three of his business associates who administered a pension scheme, have been charged with stealing £5million through a tax fraud targeting the pension industry.
As part of its review of the Money Laundering Regulations and in order to ensure its effective and proportionate implementation by businesses in the UK, the Treasury has reviewed the risk of money laundering and terrorist finance with HMRC and the Institute of Licensed Trade Stock Auditors.
A Henley-on-Thames based solicitor is serving a 16 month prison sentence for abusing his professional position.
James Thorburn-Muirhead was sentenced on 29th June after a SOCA investigation revealed his links to a drug dealer, his involvement in the theft of clients’ monies and his failure to disclose information under the Suspicious Activity Reports regime.
HM Treasury published its response to the review of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007. It is a consultation document requiring responses to be submitted by 30August 2011.
I have just attended the 8th annual conference of IMLPO where two of the key speakers, Edward Garnier QC MP, Solicitor General and Hugh Burns, Head of Financial Crime Team HM Treasury, gave interesting updates to both the international and UK regimes and a time table for new changes.
At a Disciplininary Council meeting a Mr P R Honeywell FCA was found to have failed to comply with Money Laundering Regulations 2007 in that, following a practice assurance visit, he failed to:
(i) document a client due diligence review; and
(ii) identify clients for whom his firm, Honeywell (Monmouth) Limited, provides payroll services.