Aram Sheibani: International drugs boss with luxury lifestyle jailed – BBC News

‘A man who was the “very head” of a large-scale international drugs conspiracy with links to Colombia has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 10th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

FCA launches proceedings against NatWest over alleged money laundering – The Guardian

Posted March 16th, 2021 in banking, financial regulation, money laundering, news, prosecutions by tracey

‘The City watchdog has begun criminal proceedings against the taxpayer-owned lender NatWest for allegedly failing to prevent money laundering, the first prosecution brought under money laundering regulations introduced in 2007.’

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The Guardian, 16th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Romance fraud on rise in coronavirus lockdown – BBC News

Posted February 10th, 2021 in coronavirus, fraud, identity fraud, internet, money laundering, news, statistics by sally

‘Romance fraud – scamming someone out of money by pretending to want a relationship – has been on the rise during lockdown.’

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BBC News, 10th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

People smugglers jailed for total of 78 years over deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants – The Independent

‘Four people-smugglers have been jailed for a total of 78 years over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants, whose bodies were found in a lorry container in Essex in October 2019.’

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The Independent, 23rd January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Extensions to the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Regime – Family Law Week

‘Matthew Moore, director of Infolegal, advises family lawyers of their obligations under anti-money laundering regulations following changes [to the] wording of what constitutes taxation advice.’

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Family Law Week, 24th November 2020

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Unexplained Wealth Orders: Suspected money launderer gives up £10m of property – BBC News

‘Around £10m of property has been surrendered in a major victory against some of northern England’s most dangerous criminals. The apartments and homes were given up to the National Crime Agency by a Leeds businessman who investigators suspect of being a major money-launderer.’

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BBC News, 7th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Furlough Fraud – The Coming Storm – 33 Bedford Row

Posted July 30th, 2020 in coronavirus, fraud, money laundering, news, remuneration, tax evasion by sally

‘On the 8th of July 2020 the first reported arrest took place in the West Midlands of a 57-year-old man suspected of “furlough fraud”. The arrest and search of his property has been reported widely in the national media. It was reported that following arrest the man had his computers, digital devices and documents seized in relation to an alleged £495,000 fraud. His bank accounts have been frozen.’

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33 Bedford Row, 27th July 2020

Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk

Lawyers have become “de facto agents of Russian state” – Legal Futures

‘Lawyers have become “de facto agents of the Russian state” by helping to smooth the way of Russian money entering the UK, according to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd July 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Commerzbank fined £38m by UK watchdog for money-laundering failings – The Guardian

Posted June 18th, 2020 in banking, financial regulation, fines, money laundering, news by sally

‘The UK’s financial regulator has fined Commerzbank £38m for money-laundering failures, including an “out-of-control” system for checking clients.’

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The Guardian, 17th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Corporate failure to prevent abuses – Law Society’s Gazette

‘While debate rumbles on over the extension of ‘failure to prevent’ offences into the broad spectrum of financial crime, including fraud and money laundering, some have called for their introduction into an altogether different sphere: human rights.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 6th April 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Gambling firm Betway hit with record £11.6m penalty – BBC News

Posted March 13th, 2020 in consumer protection, fines, gambling, money laundering, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Online betting firm Betway has been hit with a record penalty of £11.6m for failings over customer protection and money-laundering checks.’

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BBC news, 12th March 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Unexplained Wealth Order focuses on London mansion – BBC News

Posted March 10th, 2020 in money laundering, news, unexplained wealth orders by tracey

‘A high-security mansion on one of London’s most exclusive roads is the target of the UK’s latest use of Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs).’

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BBC News, 10th March 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tommy Adams ordered to repay £1.24m for dirty cash laundering operation – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 28th, 2020 in assets recovery, money laundering, news, proceeds of crime by tracey

‘Thomas “Tommy” Adams has been ordered to repay £1,243,270.75 for his part in a dirty cash laundering network. Adams ran a money laundering operation with his associates, which was foiled in 2014 when undercover police heard him discussing the illicit activity at a central London café.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 27th February 2020

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

“The Magnitsky Act – What Now for the Future in the UK” An Article by Lesley Manley – Church Court Chambers

Posted February 26th, 2020 in chambers articles, human rights, money laundering, news by sally

‘The “Magnitsky Act” is a trailblazing piece of legislation enacted by the United States. Lesley Manley looks at developments thus far in the UK and considers how the UK jurisdictions will proceed following the withdrawal from the European Union.’

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Church Court Chambers, 26th February 2020

Source: churchcourtchambers.co.uk

SRA money laundering supervision to extend to tax advice – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) could face a cash shortage if the new anti-money laundering (AML) rules increase the number of firms it supervises, it has warned.’

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Legal Futures, 18th February 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Lessons learned from account forfeiture proceedings (NCA v Vlad Luca Filat) – 5 SAH

Posted January 16th, 2020 in bribery, corruption, forfeiture, money laundering, news by sally

‘The Crown Court dismissed Vlad Luca Filat’s appeal against the decision to forfeit £500,000 held in three bank accounts in his name. The court held that the money derived from bribery and corruption offences committed by the appellant’s father, the former prime minister of Moldova, and was obtained by money laundering. The case was the National Crime Agency’s first contested account forfeiture application. James Fletcher, barrister at 5SAH Chambers, who appeared for the National Crime Agency, suggests that these types of applications are likely to be deployed more and more often.’

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5 SAH, 14th January 2020

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

UK courts “under attack” from Russian manipulation – Litigation Futures

Posted January 14th, 2020 in international relations, money laundering, news, reports, rule of law, Russia by sally

‘The corrupt leaders of Russia are manipulating courts and tribunals around the world – with a particular focus on the UK – with “blatant lies, forged documents, and utterly implausible explanations”, it was claimed today.’

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Litigation Futures, 13th January 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Four days to comply with new money laundering rules – Legal Futures

‘Lawyers have until just this Friday to ensure they comply with the Fifth Money Laundering Directive, the government announced just before Christmas.’

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Legal Futures, 6th January 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Jailed solicitor must repay £3m or face more prison time – Legal Futures

‘A jailed solicitor involved in the UK’s biggest ever tax fraud must repay £3m of his ill-gotten gains or face a further nine years in prison, a judge at the Old Bailey has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 18th December 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Criminal Finance Act 2017: Crime still doesn’t pay – 5SAH

‘Financial gain provides the motivation behind all serious and organised crime. Billions of pounds are laundered through the UK every year. Understandably, it has long been the government’s policy to implement effective legislation to tackle this issue.’

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5SAH, 2nd December 2019

Source: www.5sah.co.uk