To Bypass Russia Sanctions, Newly Sold Foreign Cars Often Take a Detour in China
Tens of thousands of foreign-brand cars are reaching Russia via China through gray-market channels that often circumvent sanctions and automakers’ pledges to exit the Russian market.
European Commission Raided by Police Over Real-Estate Irregularities
Belgian police raided European Commission offices in Brussels on Thursday as part of an investigation into potential irregularities in the sale of EU real estate assets.
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.
Council of Europe Ends Immunity for Former Leader Ahead of Epstein Probe
The Council of Europe has agreed to remove the diplomatic immunity granted to Thorbjoern Jagland, clearing the way for Norwegian police to investigate the former secretary general’s newly uncovered relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
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.
How Dirty Crypto Gets Cleaned in a Gig Economy
Drug cartels and other criminal groups are increasingly using cryptocurrencies and a growing “gig” workforce of freelance brokers and couriers to launder cash and evade law enforcement, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.
HSBC and Barclays Face $12bn Lawsuit Linked to Epstein and Jersey Trust
HSBC and Barclays are facing a $12-billion civil lawsuit involving a now-defunct Jersey trust that has been linked in proposed U.S. legislation to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, The Times reported.
OFAC Lets U.S. Firms Supply Equipment and Tech for Venezuela Oil
The Trump administration on Tuesday authorized U.S. companies to supply Venezuela with equipment, technology, and other support for oil and gas production, issuing a new general license that expands what American firms can do in the country’s energy sector.
Mayor of Ecuador’s Biggest Port City Accused of Money Laundering and Tax Evasion
The mayor of Ecuador’s largest port city was arrested Tuesday on charges of money laundering and tax evasion, as prosecutors widened a case that also swept up his brother and other members of his inner circle, the Associated Press said.
Stalled Corruption Case Ties El Salvador’s Leader to Suspect PDVSA Payments
El Salvador’s top prosecutor has effectively halted a money-laundering investigation into a Venezuela-financed oil venture whose funds flowed into bank accounts linked to President Nayib Bukele.