The UKFIU Podcast

In the second part of this two-part series focusing on Op MACHINIZE 2, panellists discuss how the operation went, the positive outcomes of law enforcement action, including reflections for future operations. This episode includes panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and Nationwide (representing the banking sector).

Op MACHINIZE 2 was a multi-agency law enforcement operation focusing on money laundering through cash intensive businesses on the highstreet.

Acronyms

CBML – Cash Based Money Laundering

ROCUs – Regional Organised Crime Units

PCSOs – Police Community Support Officer

For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/fZvFgkDI4hE

In the first part of this two-part series focusing on Op MACHINIZE 2, panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), Companies House, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the NCA’s data fusion team discuss the work that went into planning the operation. Op MACHINIZE 2 focused on money laundering through cash intensive businesses in the highstreet and this required a multi-agency approach with intelligence and coordination from multiple teams. Listen to learn how this was achieved.

Acronyms

ROCU – Regional Organised Crime Units

SARs – Suspicious Activity Reports

SOC – Serious and Organised Crime

For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/fZvFgkDI4hE

In this episode, panellists from the NCA, Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and City of London Police (CoLP) discuss the fraud and corruption landscape in the UK and overseas, typical indicators of bribery and corruption and outline how their organisations are working to tackle these threats. This episode also features an opening introduction from Baroness Hodge, the government’s Anti-Corruption Champion.

The guidance mention within this podcast which may be of interest to listeners can be accessed via the following links:

Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences: update July 2025 (Jonathan Fisher KC Part 2 Review) – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-disclosure-and-fraud-offences-part-2-updates/independent-review-of-disclosure-and-fraud-offences-update-july-2025

Indicators of Foreign Bribery Guidance - https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/783-indicators-of-foreign-bribery/file

Acronyms

NGOs – Non-governmental organisations

HMG - His Majesty’s Government

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

KC – King’s Counsel 

FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation

DPA’s – Deferred Prosecution Agreement

AFP – Australian Federal Police

PEPs – Politically Exposed Person

MP – Member of Parliament

NDA – Non-disclosure agreement

For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/HtjRjcOqzFg

In this episode, panellists from the UKFIU, HMRC and a real estate agency address money laundering and suspicious activity in the real estate and letting agency sector. The podcast includes discussions of potential red flags for reporters in the sector and positive law enforcement outcome that have resulted from Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs)

HMRC have published guidance that may be of use to professionals within the real estate and letting agency sector. These can be accessed via the following link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-money-laundering-communication-resources?&utm_source=fiu&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=amls

Acronyms

NRA – National Risk Assessment

For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/k_ISeiJisuY

In this episode, panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) and legal sector discuss the issue of Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF) in the legal sector, with a specific focus on legal professionals involved in conveyancing. This includes how PDF can impact the legal profession, and the collaboration and work of this sector and law enforcement in minimising and combatting this crime.

NECC PDF factsheet - https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/764-payment-diversion-fraud-infosheet

For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/zzPkLb_VXNQ

WARNING: This post contains references to child sexual abuse

In this episode, panellists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and NatWest Group discuss Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) livestreaming. This includes the actions being taken by law enforcement and reporters to combat this crime, potential indicators, and how to report if you have suspicions of CSA or money laundering linked to CSA.

For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/z_FVVGoZNok

Reporting child sexual abuse

If you are concerned that a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.

Concerns of child sexual abuse should be reported to Police by calling 101.

Under 18 year olds can also report online sexual abuse or grooming to the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Safety Centre: www.ceop.police.uk

Support services

Under 18 year olds can talk to Childline confidentially, at any time, by calling 0800 1111 or chat online to a counsellor by visiting www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/

Adults who experienced sexual abuse as child and would like to talk to someone about it can contact the National Association for People Abused in Childhood on 0808 801 0331 or by visiting https://napac.org.uk

Survivors UK runs the National Male Survivors Online Helpline – a webchat and SMS service for men, boys and non-binary people who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives. www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/

If you are concerned about your own sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviour towards children, speak in confidence to Stop It Now by visiting www.stopitnow.org.uk or contacting their confidential helpline on 0808 1000 900

In this episode, panellists from the UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) discuss the UK’s assumption of the CARIN presidency, the role of CARIN and the processes of UKFIU and CARIN in working with law enforcement in UK and CARIN member states.

CARIN - Camden Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network

ARIN – Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network

FATF – Financial Action Task Force

MLA – Mutual Legal Assistance

ILOR – International Letter of Request

UKCA – UK Central Authority

For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/zZmPCR3jBtc

Episode 24

Organised Immigration Crime: Illicit Finance

In this episode, panellists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) address the illicit finance angle of Organised Immigration Crime (OIC). Panellists explain the current threat picture, how Informal Value Transfer Systems (IVTS) play a role in enabling this crime and the actions being taken by the NCA to disrupt organised crime groups involved in OIC.

Read the special OIC SARs in Action issue - https://bit.ly/465AS37 

OIC - Organised Immigration Crime

MSHT - Modern Slavery Human Trafficking 

IVTS - Informal Value Transfer Systems 

MLRs - Money Laundering Regulations

KRI - Kurdistan Region of Iraq

JMLIT – Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce

MSB – Money Service Business

For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibH5650JxXQ

In this episode, this issue of virtual squatting is discussed by panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Companies House. Panellists address what is virtual squatting and the role it plays in economic crime, potential signs that professionals should be aware of, and the positive outcomes that resulted from public-private partnership.

JMLIT – Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce

ICAEW – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

SAR – Suspicious Activity Report

EDD – Enhanced Due Diligence

For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ORYT3HHqDg

In this episode, panellists from the Egmont Group and the UK Financial Intelligence Unit’s (UKFIU’s) International team discuss the role of international collaboration in combatting money laundering and terrorist financing. Egmont plays a key role in facilitating UKFIU cooperation with other Financial Intelligence Units and in turn, the UKFIU aims to contribute to the success of the group. Topics discussed include an overview of the structure and role of the Egmont group by the group’s chair, Elżbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz, the projects the UKFIU has been involved in, and the future strategic goals of the Egmont Group.

AML – Anti-Money Laundering

CFT – Combatting Financing for Terrorism

EC – Egmont Committee

ECOFEL - Egmont Centre of FIU Excellence and Leadership

EGS - Egmont Group Secretariat

ESW – Egmont Secure Web

For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_3HOAfK-g4