Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Hosted by Christopher Kirkbride

Episodes

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Welcome to the Financial Crime UK Weekly podcast. I’m Chris Kirkbride and I lecture law. This is an introductory podcast to give you a guide as to the sort of things which we will be looking at on this podcast in the first week of every month. However, there will be specials and additional podcasts out of this sequence if something happens which is significant and deserves a special episode. So, what are the sort of things we’ll be talking about? Well, we will cover news, events, legal developments, and anything else that relates to financial crime, in the UK – obviously, because that is in the podcast title – but also in other jurisdictions. No man is an island and financial crime certainly does not respect national borders. Broadly, the coverage will be all aspects of: Fraud | Bribery | Market abuse and insider dealing | Money laundering and terrorist financing | Data and information theft | Cybercrime (phishing / smishing) and the challenges generated by fintech in terms of finance crime threats. While these might be financial crimes, strictly speaking, but that is not all. It is necessary to reflect on the responses to financial crime which the state adopts. While this is less about fines and imprisonment, we will focus on confiscation and recovery schemes, sanctions imposed on those who have committed financial crimes, together with arrangements designed to allow the offender to avoid/defer prosecution, namely, deferred prosecution agreements. Consideration will also be given to the regulatory architecture of financial crime, both domestic and international – as stated, financial crime does not respect borders – together with regulatory enforcement and aspects of the compliance industry – the industry which helps commercial entities stay on the right side of the law. Finally, and this is a particular interest of mine, but I am fascinated by the interface between criminal and civil law where the facts of an event could lead to prosecution or civil action. Consequently, while this is a financial crime podcast, we will also consider those situations where the civil law might bring about a robust response to financial wrongdoing. So, that’s it from me for now except to say that the podcast is available from the usual places, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iTunes, and others.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

18 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 289

Welcome to episode 289 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, UK OFSI guidance regarding specific financial licences post-delisting, a new UK property lease general licence alongside autonomous sanctions against two Iranian nationals, OFAC designations targeting Cartel del Noreste's commercial and horse racing networks, and the EU's largest-ever sanctions package against Russia. On fraud and money laundering, there is a guilty plea by a former US postal carrier in a $34 million mail theft scheme, over $1.9 billion in combined US regulatory penalties against Bank of America for Bank Secrecy Act, AML, and sanctions violations, and the arrest of Alvaro Pulido Vargas in connection with $1.6 billion in Venezuelan bribery and money laundering schemes. In market abuse and regulatory updates, there are joint FCA and NCA arrests targeting an organised insider dealing ring, the court-ordered winding up of UK firm Ellan NW Ltd for subverting insolvency procedures to evade creditor claims, updated Serious Fraud Office corporate self-reporting guidance, and a major UK government consultation on whistleblowing reform and a proposed SFO economic crime informant reward scheme. Finally, on cybersecurity, cyber incidents impacting Italy's Foreign Ministry, retailer Asos, and Swiss pension fund Publica, alongside a joint international advisory exposing China-based Integrity Technology Group for supporting global cyber-attacks. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

17 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 288

Welcome to episode 288 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the UK delists a Swiss entity following a UN Security Council decision, extends the Maritime Mutual general licence, and imposes new designations, while the US takes more action under Operation Economic Outcast. On fraud and money laundering prosecutions, the DoJ launches Phase Three of the Western Union victim compensation scheme, and announces the conviction of Jonathan Spalletta. There is also the guilty plea of Oleg Korniev for managing a cybercrime money mule network, and a fine for American Express over BSA/AML deficiencies. On bribery, corruption, and market abuse, GRECO outlines strategic priorities and closes Denmark's fourth-round evaluation, the Court of Appeal quashes more LIBOR and EURIBOR convictions, and BaFin fines Volkswagen AG for market disclosure breaches. Finally, Europol warns of quantum computing risks to cryptocurrency wallets and "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" data threats. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

16 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 287

Welcome to episode 287 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the UK FCDO makes vessel designations, and revokes restrictions against a former Syrian minister, while the US targets a $2 million France-based Hamas financing network, and delists 125 entities. On US fraud enforcement, there is a $65 million Brooklyn Medicaid kickback plea, a prison sentence in a $37 million fraud, and a Delaware bankruptcy fraud conviction, while in the UK, Report Fraud's national passkey campaign follows £6.3 million in account hacking losses. On money laundering prosecutions, authorities addressed a £30 million bulk cash smuggling ring operating between the UK and the UAE, and a $597,000 government impersonation courier scheme. Finally, a former TD Bank employee pleads guilty to accepting bribes for laundering, and there is the 10-nation "Operation KillSwitch" disruption of the KillSec ransomware network. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

19 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 286

Welcome to episode 286 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury has targeted the Tren de Aragua cyber-fraud network, Cuban trade restrictions, and the "A7 Network" shadow banking system, while the UK has enacted 31 new Russia-related designations, extended the Sakhalin-2 oil price cap exceptions, authorised LNG maritime transport to Japan and South Korea, and initiated its annual frozen assets reporting review. On fraud, National Trading Standards in the UK has launched an AI Scam Watchlist, while US authorities have prosecuted an $80 million federal procurement set-aside fraud scheme, and a $620,000 gang-related mail theft and bank fraud ring. On bribery and corruption, federal prosecutors indicted a former restaurant supply cooperative executive in an $80 million kickback scheme, and the United States has formally notified the Council of Europe of its withdrawal from the anti-corruption monitoring body, GRECO. Finally, the episode covers SEC insider trading charges against a former pharmaceutical executive, ESMA's proposed regulatory revisions to strengthen the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, and there is a £1.8 million Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation order against a former UK National Crime Agency officer following a dark web Bitcoin theft. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

26 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 285

Welcome to episode 285 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, there are UK arms brokering convictions and updated UN and UK sanctions listings. On money laundering, there are AML mutual evaluation reports from MONEYVAL and the FATF concerning Canada, Türkiye, and Gibraltar. Enforcement authorities across the United States and the United Kingdom have advanced significant fraud actions, and there is a bilateral UK-Cambodia agreement targeting online scam compounds. Finally, there are anti-corruption reports from GRECO and some Ukrainian case-law analysis, SEC insider trading prosecutions, referral conflict penalties, FCA enforcement action against offshore CFD firms and crypto fraudsters, and international cyber defence responses to active digital infrastructure threats. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

13 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 284

Welcome to episode 284 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, OFSI has established a "presumption of denial" policy for licence applications involving five designated Iranian banks, while OFAC has consolidated its Sanctions Penalty Regulations and updated Syria-related rules. On money laundering, a FCA multi-firm review has urged institutions to strengthen defences against multi-account money mule networks. On fraud enforcement, US federal and state actions secured convictions and indictments involving multi-state tax fraud, a business email compromise proceeds forfeiture, and a $12.2 million stolen Treasury cheque scheme. In broader financial crime, the NCA has launched its 2026 Strategic Assessment, highlighting rising online fraud, crypto laundering, and proposed police reforms. Finally, on cybercrime, the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) have warned of operational vulnerabilities stemming from AI-driven cyber threats, quantum computing risk, and dependencies on non-EEA technology service providers. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

14 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 283

Welcome to episode 283 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, OFAC designates Iranian digital asset exchange BitBank, and terminates Ethiopia emergency sanctions alongside updated Russia-related Lukoil authorisations. The UK revokes maritime sanctions on the oil tanker ASTRA. On money laundering and regulatory oversight, the UK FCA has opened an enforcement investigation into Euro Exchange Securities, and announced its plan to assume anti-money laundering supervision. Finally, the FATF has issued global red-flag guidance on emerging illicit finance risks in gaming and gambling. On bribery and corruption, former Vitol trader receives a custodial sentence, while GRECO's President urged closer institutional alignment with the EU. Finally, on fraud and cybercrime, a former Puerto Rican bank CEO is sentenced for wire fraud and Venezuela sanctions evasion conspiracy, and the UK National Cyber Security Centre releases scheme guidance for its Cyber Adversary Simulation assurance framework. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

16 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 282

Welcome to episode 282 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on money laundering and financial integrity, a FinCEN Exchange targets Iranian illicit finance networks, a RUSI commentary evaluates the effectiveness of the global FATF architecture, and the UK government unveils a £550 million Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy. In corruption enforcement, a former French Minister stands trial over alleged lobbying payments. Addressing fraud, UK regulators and oversight bodies have released joint guidance clarifying telecoms data-sharing protocols. In cryptoassets, there is joint UK enforcement actions against unregistered peer-to-peer trading operations, alongside key outcomes from the 10th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets. Finally, on cybercrime, the UK regulator has launched an industry engagement initiative examining the capabilities and security risks of AI in telecommunications cyber defence. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

16 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 281

Welcome to episode 281 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the US has designated Russian financial institution VTB Bank, while OFSI has issued clarified guidance on crediting interest to frozen accounts. Under money laundering enforcement, the UK government has launched a £500 million strategy recruiting 500 specialist investigators, and former Venezuelan Minister Alex Saab has pleaded guilty in the US to bribery-linked money laundering charges. In corruption and lobbying reforms, Ukraine and the Council of Europe have evaluated the first year of national lobbying legislation. On fraud, US authorities advanced major enforcement actions, including Abbott Laboratories' $384 million False Claims Act settlement, pandemic relief fraud convictions, and extraditions targeting the Black Axe criminal network. On market abuse, developments include insider dealing proceedings against a UK City lawyer, securities fraud charges against a New York hedge fund founder, and guilty pleas in a $3.7 billion insider trading scheme. Finally, in asset recovery and legal sector enforcement, a court has extended a £10 million Account Freezing Order on Premier League royalty funds tied to the Sorare gambling prosecution, and the FCA has banned a former law firm manager following a £28 million client money misappropriation. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.

17 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 280

Welcome to episode 280 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, on sanctions, the UK has introduced expanded statutory controls targeting Iranian economic sectors, while the US Department of the Treasury designates procurement networks supporting Kata'ib Hizballah and Lebanese Hizballah. On money laundering and corruption enforcement, HMRC released its list of non-compliant businesses penalised for AML supervision failures, and a third Puerto Rico Treasury employee has pleaded guilty in a $6.77 million tax bribery scheme. On fraud, FinCEN reports $17.5 billion in suspicious activity linked to U.S. healthcare fraud, while the US DOJ Scam Centre Strike Force seized illicit Telegram infrastructure and cryptocurrency. Finally, on market abuse, the SEC has secured a final judgment in an insider trading scheme, and ESMA has highlighted market integrity risks in prediction markets. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial . The photograph on the podcast cover art is by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels, and the stinger sample between each news section is ‘Ben Logo 1’ by BenKirb from Pixabay.