In part two of our Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) episode, our panellists discuss the impact on economies, biodiversity and legitimate wildlife trade. They also talk about predicate crimes associated with IWT and the importance of international co-operation, such as that garnered during Project Anton, in tackling it. Information regarding the Statement of Principles, announced by the Prince of Wales at the United for Wildlife Global Summit in November, can be found here: https://unitedforwildlife.org/news/international-statement-of-principles-announced For the subtitled version of this episode ..read more

In part one of our episode on the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT), we are joined by panelists from Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) and the UK’s National Wildlife Crime unit (NWCU). Our panelists discuss the roles of their organisations and outline the differing threats between their respective countries, but highlight the similar typologies used by serious organised crime groups. Reporters can access key messages and information on IWT related SARs using the following link: https://fintrac-canafe.canada.ca/intel/operation/oai-wildlife-eng For the subtitled ..read more

In this episode, panellists from accountancy sector supervisory bodies discuss Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance within the sector. This includes specific cases where a firm may have AML concerns during Know Your Customer (KYC) and Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) practices. The panellists use their extensive knowledge to provide their perspectives on the sector as a whole and specifics relating to their areas of focus, from large accountancy firms to individual bookkeepers. There is also information on opportunities for firms to approach the UKFIU’s Reporter Engagement Team (RET) to impr ..read more

In this episode, panellists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) discuss the issue of money mules, including key indicators of money muling, types of money mules and strategies used to recruit potential money mules. For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/bTSKvCIYq90 Acronyms used in this podcast: SARs: Suspicious Activity Reports Time Stamps: 00:11 Introduction 01:09 Money muling explanation 02:27 Money mule account explanation 04:19 How big a problem is money muling and how much is laundered via this? 06:28 Types of money ..read more

In this episode, panellists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (UAEFIU) discuss the nature of MSBs and exchange houses in the UK and UAE, the risks of money laundering associated with both sectors, patterns of criminality, how this type of financial service has changed and why there is still a need for them in an increasingly cashless world. For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/zSHK63hIugU Acronyms used in this podcast: MSB: Money service bureau or money service business SME: Subject-matter expert SARs: Suspicious Activity Re ..read more

We continue our series of podcasts focused on fraud. In this podcast we will be looking at fraud intensification. In 2022 the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC)  with assistance from the City of London Police, implemented a period of intensification of activity across law enforcement.  There were a number of objectives of this intensification: to increase public confidence that law enforcement is committed to tackling fraud offending in the UK; to act as a deterrent through the promoting of successful initiatives to arrest or interview under caution suspects of fraud; to seize the ..read more

In this edition we speak with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, examining the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and how red flags can be potentially identified through Suspicious Activity Reports. IWT is a significant business, long reported as being the fourth largest crime in the world, and believed to generate approximately GBP 15 billion a year ..read more

Episode 9 looks at how the UKFIU works with overseas partners, ensuring that intelligence on money laundering and financial crime is effectively shared with international partners and includes John O’Sullivan (UKFIU International manager) and USA ILO Mike Manley as panellists. Topics discussed are: ·  Demystifying some of the UKFIU international terms used in the SARs Annual Reports ·  Intelligence sharing with global partners ·  An explanation of the ILO network ·  Close working between the UK and US ·  How the ILO network works with the UKFIU ·  Why SARs are so ..read more

In this edition we examine virtual assets – what they are, how they work, complexities faced by law enforcement and the role SARs and reporters can play. We hear from the NECC, the National Police Chiefs’ Council cybercrime programme and the reporting sector, and examine the impact of the fifth money laundering directive regulations on SARs regime stakeholders. Note: value based analysis of cryptocurrency/virtual assets referenced in the podcast was accurate at the time of recording. For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jjf9JBWllk&list=PLvYg7_Lx ..read more

Did you know that SARs are a valuable source of financial information for safeguarding potentially vulnerable members of society? Or that the UKFIU identifies and fast-tracks such SARs to police forces who will, in many cases, arrange visits by local officers to offer advice to prevent fraud or further losses? In this podcast we speak to reporters and law enforcement to learn the value of such fast-tracking and hear the measures they’re taking to help safeguard communities to prevent fraud. For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJk4VvWxKxs&list=PL ..read more