On 14 February 2014 the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published two statements identifying jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter financing regimes.
The Money Laundering Regulations 2007 require regulated entities to put in place policies and procedures in order to prevent activities related to money laundering and terrorist financing.
Recent developments in the Middle East have highlighted the need for businesses to be vigilant and have robust systems and controls for dealing with actual or potential politically exposed persons. Your business needs to consider the possible impact these events may have on patterns of financial activity when assessing risks related to particular customers and flows of funds.
The Government recognises the crucial importance of individual giving and charitable donations at times of humanitarian crisis such as the Pakistan floods and therefore understands and values people’s desire to give money. This underlines the importance of knowing that money sent with best intentions is not inadvertently finding its way into the wrong hands.
The Charity Commission, the independent charity regulator for England and Wales, has published advice for people who want to support those affected by the floods in Pakistan, whether by fundraising or by making a personal donation.
HM Treasury today issues a Statement on Money Laundering controls in Overseas Jurisdictions
The notice constitutes advice issued by HM Treasury about risks posed by unsatisfactory money laundering controls in a number of jurisdictions.
The Money Laundering Regulations 2007 require firms to put in place policies, procedures or systems in order to prevent money laundering or terrorist financing. Regulated businesses are also required to apply enhanced customer due diligence and enhanced ongoing monitoring on a risk-sensitive basis in certain defined situations and in “any other situation which by its nature can present a higher risk of money laundering or terrorist financing”.
SOCA publish The UK threat assessment of Organised Crime
The UK threat assessment of Organised Crime has been published on the Serious Organised Crime ( SOCA) website
Gangs are stealing taxpayers’ passwords and submitting claims for tax refunds to be paid to them, HM Revenue and Customs has warned.
A series of attempted fraudulent claims through the self-assessment repayments system has been discovered.
Investigation shows Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan get money from extortion, crime and drugs
Taliban refer to extortion money as tolls, taxes or zakat
PESHAWAR: For the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, money is coming mostly from extortion, crime and drugs, an AP investigation claims
This guidance is being sent to Money Service Businesses (MSBs) with a copy of the first direction issued under the Counter Terrorism Act 2008 Schedule 7 which affects them and will shortly be included in Public Notice MLR8: Preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.
All UK businesses regulated under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, whether Money Service Businesses or other regulated persons should treat transactions associated with Iran as situations that by their nature can present a higher risk of money laundering or terrorist financing