Financial industry research and analysis to help you understand key trends and issues facing financial institutions.
BlogSolutions for SAR/STR Filing: Best Practices for Crypto CompaniesNovember 7, 2022 by Verafin Virtual currencies are swiftly becoming the currency of choice for fraudsters – the rate of Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR) filed including cryptocurrency is rapidly rising. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), from 2017-2020, the number of SARs referencing... |
BlogRising U.S. & International Wire Fraud ThreatsJuly 29, 2022 by Verafin The high dollar value and irrevocable nature of many wire transfers make them inherently risky and a prime target for criminals. With fraudsters unrelenting, financial institutions must remain informed of growing wire fraud threats, both domestically and internationally. Our experts... |
BlogAssessing AML/CFT Compliance Risks for Crypto CompaniesJuly 26, 2022 by Verafin Companies that operate cryptocurrency exchanges or crypto ATMs in the U.S. must be registered as MSBs with FinCEN, and meet all AML/CFT compliance requirements, including identifying and reporting potentially suspicious activity. Recently released guidelines from the MSBA, ETA, INFiN, and... |
BlogCombating Human Trafficking with Verafin’s Data-Driven Financial Crime Management PlatformJuly 5, 2022 by Verafin Generating an estimated $150 billion per year, human trafficking is one of the most profitable and heinous international crimes. Human trafficking and human smuggling was identified in the AML/CFT National Priorities as one of eight “predicate crimes that generate... |
BlogKeeping Pace with the Changing AML/CFT Landscape: Virtual Currency Payment RisksJune 8, 2022 by Verafin The use of Convertible Virtual Currency (CVC) is increasing, offering an alternative transaction channel for consumers and a new transaction channel for criminals to exploit. Virtual currency activity is relevant to all financial institutions, even those that do not offer... |
BlogU.S. Court Case: 60 Funnel Accounts Used by Heroin Trafficking OrganizationSeptember 27, 2017 by Denise Hutchings “Narcotics traffickers will attempt to create elaborate financial networks in an effort to launder illegal drug proceeds.” (James Dorsey, Acting Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation, June 2017) Heroin Trafficking Organizations Targeted by OFAC In May 2017, Treasury Secretary... |
BlogU.S. Court Case: 9 Banks and 50 Bank Accounts Exploited by Human Trafficking RingFebruary 21, 2017 by Denise Hutchings “Follow the money and you will find the trafficker… Financial investigation plays a crucial role in successful investigation of trafficking in persons.” An outstanding financial investigation which was conducted in the recent prosecution of a U.S. based human trafficking ring... |
BlogU.S. Bank Account Information Sold on Dark Web MarketplaceAugust 25, 2016 by Denise Hutchings A recent online post under the “Fraud” category of a Dark Web marketplace read as follows: “High Balance [redacted bank name] Logins 30K-150K Available…I bring you freshly hacked [redacted bank name] Bank Account Logins. The accounts are notorious for having... |
Blog314(b) Information Sharing Practices Should Adapt the Four COCs of a Fusion CenterMay 23, 2016 by Denise Hutchings “A Fusion Center is an effective and efficient mechanism to exchange information and intelligence, maximize resources, streamline operations, and improve the ability to fight crime and terrorism by analyzing data from a variety of sources.” (Source: U.S. DOJ Global Justice... |
BlogThousands of Human Trafficking Arrests in the U.S. Plus Recent Money Flow to Human Smuggling HubsApril 5, 2016 by Denise Hutchings “Human trafficking is not a problem that law enforcement can tackle alone. It requires the close collaboration with many concerned groups looking at this crime through different lenses.” (Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.) Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance advocates... |
