In Finland, Rising Concerns Over the Risks of Russian Real-Estate Buys
Finnish authorities are tightening scrutiny of real-estate purchases after a series of Russian-linked property deals raised fears that land and buildings near military facilities and critical infrastructure could be used for espionage or sabotage.
FinCEN Levies Sec. 311 Against Switzerland’s MBaer Bank
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) on Thursday proposed a Section 311 “special measure” that, if finalized, would cut MBaer Merchant Bank AG off from the American financial system.
UK Issues Raft of New Sanctions on Anniversary of Russo-Ukrainian War
The UK unveiled its biggest Russia sanctions package in years on Tuesday, targeting Moscow’s shadow fleet and the key networks and infrastructure that have helped keep crude exports flowing since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Binance Said to Fire Staff Who Found Iran Moved $1bn Through Exchange
Binance fired members of its internal compliance investigations team after they raised concerns that Iran-linked entities may have moved more than $1 billion through the crypto exchange, according to new reporting by Fortune.
Athletics Academy Violated Sanctions by Taking Drug Money
A Florida company that offers elite sports training will pay $1.72 million to settle potential civil liability for allowing the children of suspected Mexican drug traffickers to take part in its programs.
Paxful to Pay $4 Million for Helping Sex Traffickers and Money Launderers
Paxful Holdings Inc., a peer-to-peer virtual currency trading platform, was sentenced on Tuesday to pay a $4-million criminal penalty after pleading guilty to conspiracies tied to illegal prostitution, anti-money-laundering failures and transmitting criminal proceeds.
Australian Banks and Businesses Tackle Financial Abuse Together
A newly formed group of businesses and organizations in Australia are set to team up to fight financial abuse as part of a new program that encourages collaboration to address major social and economic ills.
Uzbek Mining Giant Awards $200m in Tenders to Secretive Network of Foreign Firms
Uzbekistan’s state-owned mining giant Almalyk Mining-Metallurgical Complex (AMMC) has awarded more than $200 million in procurement tenders to 10 foreign firms whose ownership and business activity are murky, including companies that reported themselves as “dormant” or “inactive,” OCCRP reported.
How a U.K. Loophole Hands the Kremlin Tens of Millions of Pounds Each Month
A senior Labour lawmaker is urging the British government to close a sanctions loophole that allows jet fuel and other refined oil products derived from Russian crude oil to enter the U.K., Politico reported.
Stepping Back from Military Threats, U.S. Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Iran
The White House imposed new sanctions on Iran even as the Trump administration appeared to step back from its threat of military action in response to Tehran’s ongoing crackdown on Iranian protestors, according to The Wall Street Journal.