Russia’s Sanctions-Busting Crypto Firm A7 Expands African Footprint
A Russian cryptocurrency payments network founded by sanctioned actors is expanding into Africa as Moscow seeks new channels to move money around western restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
A Timor-Leste Firm Links Trump’s World Liberty to a Sanctioned Fraud Syndicate
A politically connected blockchain project that partnered with the Trump family’s crypto firm promoted a proposed resort in Timor-Leste involving three people later sanctioned by the United States for ties to the Prince Group, an alleged Southeast Asian scam syndicate.
Three Greek Cabinet Ministers Resign amid EPPO Fraud Probe
Three Greek cabinet ministers resigned on Friday as a European Union investigation into alleged farm subsidy fraud widened, in a case that has intensified political pressure on the government and added to unrest in the country’s farming sector.
How the ‘Panama Papers’ Changed (and Didn’t Change) Offshore Secrecy
Ten years after the Panama Papers exposed the offshore financial system exploited by tax cheats and criminals around the world, prosecutions and transparency reforms tied to the landmark investigation are still unfolding.
U.S. Removes Venezuela Leader Delcy Rodríguez from SDN List
The Trump administration on Wednesday lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, removing a key barrier that had prevented Americans from doing business with her and potentially clearing the way for fresh U.S. investment in the country.
Ex-Malaysian PM Razak Ordered to Pay $1.3 Billion to 1MDB Unit
A Malaysian court on Tuesday ordered jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak to pay $1.3 billion to SRC International, a former unit of scandal-linked state fund 1MDB, after finding him liable for losses incurred by the company.
Hungary Secretly Worked with Russia to Water Down EU Sanctions
Hungary’s foreign minister privately shared sensitive European Union discussions with Russia and worked with Moscow to try to remove sanctioned Russian individuals, banks, and companies from EU blacklists.
Hungary Continues to Fall Short on Investigating Fraud, EU Data Shows
Hungary has recovered and returned less than a fifth of EU funds flagged for potential fraud over the past decade, according to data from the bloc’s anti-fraud watchdog reported by the Financial Times.
Trial Begins in France for Alleged ‘Magnitsky Affair’ Money Launderer
The trial of Russian businessman Dmitry Klyuev, accused by French prosecutors of laundering proceeds of the $230 million Magnitsky Affair fraud through luxury purchases in France, opened in Paris on Monday.
FTC Tells Payment Processors that ‘Debanking’ Could Lead to Penalties
The Federal Trade Commission has warned four of the largest payment processors against denying customers access to financial services because of their political or religious views.