Hello, and welcome to episode 98 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. It is yet another busy week for financial crime, so I think we’ll just get on with it. Lots to get through, so let’s crack on.

As usual, I have linked the main stories flagged in the podcast in the description. These are:

Bailiwick of Guernsey Financial Intelligence Unit, Annual Report 2023.

Companies House, Companies House begins phased roll out of new powers to tackle fraud.

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Statement Regarding the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare.

Department of Justice (Office of Public Affairs), Commodities Trading Company Will Pay Over $661M to Resolve Foreign Bribery Case.

Department of Justice, Leesburg man pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud scheme.

Department of Justice, Brooklyn Woman Sentenced To 33 Months In Prison For Multifaceted COVID-19 Fraud Scheme.

Department of Justice, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy convicted at trial of COVID-19 relief fraud.

Department of Justice, Man Charged for $10M COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme.

Department of State, Sanctioning Human Rights Abusers and Corrupt Actors, and Termination of Zimbabwe Sanctions Authority.

Department of the Treasury, Treasury Sanctions Zimbabwe’s President and Key Actors for Corruption and Serious Human Rights Abuse.

Eurojust, Support to halt money laundering in Italy via tax fraud and fake invoices.

European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Annual Report 2023: EPPO warns that serious organised crime continues to feast on EU revenue.

European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Annual Report 2023.

Federal Communications Commission, FCC & U.K. Ofcom to Partner in Fight Against Scam Calls & Texts.

Financial Conduct Authority, FCA warns firms over anti-money laundering failings (press release).

Financial Conduct Authority, Dear CEO Letter: Annex 1 Firms.

Financial Conduct Authority, High Court allows the FCA to pause civil case against WealthTek LLP.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Policy paper – Post-Legislative Scrutiny Memorandum: Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.

Home Office, Biggest ever crackdown on money mules in the UK.

Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Financial Sanctions Notice: Russia.

Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Sanctions Members of the Intellexa Commercial Spyware Consortium.

Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Targets Companies and Vessels Facilitating Qods Force and Houthi Commodity Shipments.

UK legislation, The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2024 SI No 269.

National Cyber Security Centre, Connected Places Cyber Security Principles.

National Cyber Security Centre, New 'Connected Places' infographic published.

Serious Fraud Office, SFO secures conviction of former MoD official for taking £70k in secret kickbacks.

Spotlight on Corruption, Acquittal of two men for making corrupt payments on UK-Saudi arms deal must lead to full independent inquiry into UK government’s role.

White House, Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on U.S. Sanctions on Zimbabwean Individuals and Entities.

Wolfsberg Group, Publication of the updated Country Risk FAQs.

Wolfsberg Group, Country Risk Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).