FINANCIAL CRIME NEWS

Fresh Perspectives on Financial Crime Trends, Risks, and Real-World Challenges

Insightful articles that keep financial crime professionals informed on the latest trends, risks, and real-world challenges, delivering timely analysis that helps you navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.

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9/29/2026 - By Dr. Joshua Sinai

Insider Risks: A Diagnostic Tool to Detect and Preempt Non-Violent and Violent Insiders During Pre-Incident Phases

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4/23/2026 - By Rizwan Khan

How Launderers Exploit Retail Jewelry, Bullion Trading, and Refineries, and What FInancial Institutions Can Do About It

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4/02/2026 - By Kenneth J. Hines

From Skepticism to Proof: Distinguishing Between a Traditional Audit and a Forensic Investigation

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1/21/2026 - By Erin O'Loughlin

Op-ed: Fraud is Not a Paper Crime. It is a National Security Threat.

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A glowing scale of justice above law books.

12/15/2025 - By Jacqueline Kitzes

Op-ed: How Proactive Digital Detection Is the New Frontline Against Financial Crime

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11/25/2025 - By Jara Kider

Op-ed: When it Comes to Oversight of Securities Space, are Regulators Ready for AI-Enabled, Algorithmic Financial Crime?

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11/04/2025 - By Kenneth J. Hines

Gambling and Fraud: When Addiction Fuels Embezzlement, Occupational Fraud, and Elder Financial Exploitation

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10/06/2025 - By Kenneth J. Hines

Modern Money Laundering: Evolving Beyond the Classic Three Stages

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06/10/2025 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Olagoke Sayeed Salawu

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A surreal depiction of a human head filled with cosmic imagery and colors.

3/28/2025 - By Brian Monroe

ACFCS' Future of FInCrime Skills 2025 Virtual Summit

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3/20/2025
By Kevin Metcalf and Doug Gilmer

Strengthening the Fight Against Human Trafficking: The Critical Need for Data Alignment, Sharing, and True Collaboration

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A close-up of eyes behind a chain-link fence.

1/11/2025 - By Brian Monroe

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month 2025 Update

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11/25/2024 - By Joseph Blanka

Balancing the Risks and Rewards of Cryptocurrency Adoption

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11/04/2024 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Malgosia Slominski

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07/22/2024 - Ervin Zubic

Bitcoin Tracking for Law Enforcement - A Guide to Crypto Investigations

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6/19/2024 - By Shayna Grife

A Compliance Approach to Mitigating AI Risks to Personal Privacy

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5/1/2024 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Arthur Mueller

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1/31/2024 - By Brian Monroe

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month 2024 Update

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11/13/2023 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Graham Bailey

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11/1/2023 - By Brian Monroe

Unraveling a Complex Web: A primer on Hamas funding sources,
Iranian support

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09/14/2023 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Pamela Clegg

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08/14/2023 - By Brian Monroe

ACFCS’ Fourth Annual Fincrime Virtual Week: dogged detectives dedicated to deducting, deterring dirty money

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06/14/2023 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Uri Rivner

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06/08/2023 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Ruud Grotens

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04/20/2023 - By Brian Monroe

EU passes landmark crypto regulation, MiCA, in lock step after cementing decried, dreaded virtual value AML 'travel rule'

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01/31/2023 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Martin Markiewicz

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01/26/2023 - By Sachin Shah

Digitizing Customer Life Cycle Management to Tackle Financial Crime

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01/18/2023 - By Brian Monroe

U.S., EU authorities crush crypto exchange Bitzlato as $700 million Russian laundering hub

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01/11/2023 - By Brian Monroe

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month 2023 Update

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12/29/2022 - By Adam McLaughlin

2023 Compliance Forcast: Data Privacy, Protection Challenges and Risk Management

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A road leading to a sunset with

12/22/2022 - By Sujata Dasgupta

Top 5 Trends to Watch in 2023

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12/20/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Chrissy Park

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12/15/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Rajaram Vadapandeshwara

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11/04/2022 - By Brian Monroe

FinCEN sees SAR surge tied to ransomware attacks, more than doubling in number in a year

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10/31/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Regional Report: Danske Bank books nearly $2 billion to settle investigations by authorities

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10/26/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Fintech neobank beats Dutch regulator in ‘landmark’ case to use AI to strengthen AML program

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10/17/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Deleep Nair

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10/11/2022 - By Brian Monroe

FinCEN, OFAC fine crypto exchange Bittrex nearly $30 million on AML, sanctions failings

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10/07/2022 - By Brian Monroe

After devastation left by Hurricane Ian, victims now must contend with new wave of misery: scammers

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09/29/2022 - By Brian Monroe

In FinCEN final rule on beneficial ownership, quest to close longstanding fincrime loophole ‘misses the mark,’ say lawmakers

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09/27/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Katie Conroy

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09/19/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The Inside Track: In DOJ corporate enforcement update

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09/13/2022 - By Brian Monroe

With SEC criticizing crypto sector, exchanges, AML risks rise for banks holding accounts

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09/09/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Dalit Amitai

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09/06/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Career Tips and Tricks: Keys to breaking into compliance field

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08/31/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Enforcement Spotlight: With AML fine against CEO, OCC completes rare C-suite Sweep at Rabobank

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08/25/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Jessica Abell

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08/17/2022 - By Brian Monroe

FVW Snapshot: In flurry of fraud, synthetic IDs rising, swarming from digital data graveyard

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08/08/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Vikas Agarwal

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07/26/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The Inside Track: In new action against bank, OFAC eschews fine in favor of teachable moment

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07/08/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Joint Statement By Regulators On The AML Risk-Based Approach Provides More Confusion Than Clarity

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06/27/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Adam McLaughlin

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06/24/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Banks struggling on compliance staffing due to soaring sanctions

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06/21/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Career Tips and Tricks: Want to rise in your compliance career?

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06/15/2022 - By Erin O'Loughlin

The Front Lines - The Investigations Series: Human Trafficking Detection from the Russia-Ukraine War

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06/15/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022

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06/14/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Emerging Risks Interview Series: Human trafficking, brothels and laundering models, unique red flags from Latin America to Asia

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06/08/2022 - By Brian Monroe

CrypTech Writings: Lawmakers unveil landmark crypto oversight bill with SEC, CFTC splitting regulatory duties

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06/03/2022 - By Brian Monroe

CrypTech Writings: DOJ indicts former employee of NFT marketplace OpenSea with insider trading

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06/01/2022 - By Brian Monroe

CrypTech Writings: EU regulators offer detailed parameters for'serious' AML breaches that could result in the loss of license

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05/27/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The Inside Track: When working to comply with rising Russian sanctions, uncover opacity-enabled oligarchs, use tax IDs to connect cronies

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05/24/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The View from the Top: Sanctions Response 2022 - A Guide to Leveraging Your Own Data to Mitigate Risks Following the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

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05/19/2022 - By Erin O'Loughlin

Emerging Risks Interview Series: Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk: The New Risk Frontier?

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05/17/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Career Tips and Tricks: What are the keys to compliance career success?

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05/06/2022 - By Brian Monroe

SEC, FATF criticize crypto, U.S., EU tick sanctions higher against Russian banks

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05/03/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Dharm Patel

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04/29/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The Inside Track: To bolster fincrime compliance training, learn how to see big picture, explain small details and profit from understanding roles

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04/26/2022 - By Ted Sausen

Wolfsberg Guidance on Customer Lifecycle Risk Management and Identity Verification

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04/21/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The View from the Top: Getting started in compliance - be proactive

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04/04/2022 - By Erin O'Loughlin

Emerging Risks Interview Series: Ukraine and Human Trafficking

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04/01/2022 - By Erin O'Loughlin

Emerging Risks Interview Series: Decentralized Fundraising - From Canada to Russia

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03/31/2022 - By Jon Elvin

The Inside Track: Decisions, Implications and Humans - A Thank you from the trenches to the frontline

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03/28/2022 - By Dev Odedra

Lack of system tuning, human training leads to cascade of low grades, unsustainable system alert backlogs, missed deadlines in $140 million USAA AML penalty

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03/23/2022 - By Erin O'Loughlin

Risk and Russia - What Are We Missing?

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03/21/2022 - By Brian Monroe

FinCrime Career Investigative Tips and Tricks: Be quizzical, skeptical, triangulate answers to anticipate lies

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03/16/2022 - By Erin O'Loughlin

The Front Lines – The Investigations Series: Charity Scams Amid International Turmoil

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03/14/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Deutsche Bank admits breach of 2021 DOJ DPA tied to ESG reporting failures, has current compliance monitor extended to 2023

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03/09/2022 - By Brian Monroe

In new U.S. crypto executive order, tethers to fincrime compliance, global investigations, sanctions busting, cyber-fraud - and potential preview of digital dollar dominance

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03/04/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Last Month Today: Sanctions soar as Russia invades Ukraine, with U.S., EU, U.K. banding together in global coalition, and more

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03/02/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The View from the Top: In mad scramble to comply with updated U.S., global Russian designations, don't forget guidance to implement five core components of sanctions compliance program

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02/28/2022 - By Brian Monroe

As Russia pounds Ukraine on ground, reticence relents for U.S., EU allies to unsheathe sanctions'nuclear option' SWIFT-ly

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02/24/2022 - By Brian Monroe

As Russia formally invades Ukraine, sanctions, AML, cyber risks soar in cascade of global condemnation, uproar

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02/18/2022 - By Brian Monroe

The Future of Fincrime Skills: Our Four-Day event to broaden knowledge, sharpen expertise is over, but the fight against financial crime must go on

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02/09/2022 - By Dev Odedra

ACFCS Special Contributor Report: It Starts with Art - NFTs, money laundering and terrorist financing

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01/31/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Special ACFCS Video Financial Crimecast: NICE Actimize's Stephen Taylor talks conquering compliance with consortium, federated learning, training tips to boost effectiveness regionally, globally and more

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01/24/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Career Tips and Tricks: How do you conquer compliance? Be an ‘information sponge’ beyond AML to look at broader fincrime investigation, prevention, deterrence fields

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01/19/2022 - By Brian Monroe

Former FATF head Lewis lands at Kroll, with parting shots at AML watchdog’s ability to argue over minor details in reports, but miss big picture challenges

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01/11/2022 - By Brian Monroe

FCC Training Corner: Tackling Human Trafficking - Boosting investigative skills, enhancing compliance knowledge, effectiveness in rules, roles, results

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01/03/2022 - By Brian Monroe

With updated U.S. Action Plan, key pillar of National AML priorities, Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month commands more attention, focus from fincrime compliance teams

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12/23/2021 - By Brian Monroe

From regtech ruminations to historic fincrime regulations, readers seek knowledge on compliance effectiveness, even as countries broadly struggle to practice prevention

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12/17/2021 - By Sujata Dasgupta

Special contributor report: RegTech in AML & FinCrime - Top 5 Trends to Watch in 2022

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12/15/2021 - By Ahsan Habib

AFC 2021 Lookback - Banks managed rising criminal, reputational risks in historic leaks, social media scams, cyber-enabled fraud soared, fueled by crypto paydays

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12/13/2021 - By Erin O'Loughlin

The Front Lines - The Investigations Series: The Importance of Leadership in a Compliance Program

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12/08/2021 - By Camilla Oliva

Special ACFCS Contributor Op-Ed: Lessons from Theranos – Culture, board responsibility and accountability: When Will We Learn?

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11/23/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Stelios Tachtatzis

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11/18/2021 - By Brian Monroe

ACFCS Fincrime Canada Summit Snapshot: Counterfeiting is not a ‘victimless’ crime, with ties to deadly terror attacks, drug overdoses

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11/16/2021 - By Brian Monroe

ACFCS Cryptocrime Workshop Takeaways Day Two: With crypto value surge, pandemic scams, ransomware attacks, more banks, exchanges reporting on aberrant activity

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Man pointing at a Sanctions Chart Illustration

11/09/2021 - By Brian Monroe

OFAC, Fed, NYDFS penalize Mashreq bank $100 million for sanctions failures, just three years after $40 million fine for similar issues

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11/04/2021 - Posted By Brian Monroe

ACFCS Special Contributor Report: AML Regulations Are Really About Protecting People – see the big picture to bridge gap between rules, results

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11/01/2021 - By Brian Monroe

In DOJ corporate compliance update, expect less leeway for leniency in high-profile failures, more pressure to name, shame individuals

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10/27/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Craig Fetterman

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10/21/2021 - By Brian Monroe

To capture success in fincrime compliance career, don’t search for specific job, research topics that ignite interest, spark curiosity to court opportunity

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10/18/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Jim Dinkins

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10/13/2021 - By Brian Monroe

As crypto transactions soar into trillions of dollars, risks rise for bank AML oversight, more customers could be exchanges in disguise

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10/08/2021 - By Yumi E. Suzuki

ACFCS Special Contributor Report for Cybersecurity Awareness Month: If it’s phishy, don’t take the bait – Basic safety measures against phishing emails

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Text on a glass surface displaying the acronym

10/05/2021 - By Brian Monroe

With reported resignation of FATF head, world’s most influential AML watchdog faces questions about independence, integrity, successes, succession

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09/30/2021 - By Erin O'Loughlin

The Front Lines – The Investigations Series: How to Transition from Public to Private Sector

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09/28/2021 - By Brian Monroe

In R. Kelly conviction, a victory for victims, with tethers to tackling trafficking, lessons for fincrime compliance teams

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09/24/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Career Tips and Tricks: To rise in field, knowledge of rules must pair with practical tools, regulations align with investigations, practice innovation through association

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09/21/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Phil Cotter

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09/17/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Basel AML Index 2021: An ounce of prevention worth a pound of effectiveness when it comes to countering criminals, championing compliance

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09/13/2021 - By Brian Monroe

ACFCS Fincrime Virtual Week 2021 Lookback: Through the eyes of an attendee – Day Two highlights, trafficking weapons, humans, synthetics, AI and AML, and more

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09/11/2021 - By Brian Monroe

A fincrime compliance journey and message to honor the fighters, the first responders, the fallen and all those who still bear the physical and emotional scars from 9/11

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09/07/2021 - By Brian Monroe

ACFCS Fincrime Virtual Week 2021 Takeaways: Through the eyes of an attendee – Day one highlights, investigations, cyber and sanctions

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08/31/2021 - By Brian Monroe

After scathing parliamentary AML inquiry, Austrac takes aim at quality, quantity of suspicious matter reports in quest to bolster fincrime effectiveness

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08/30/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Career Tips and Tricks: A ‘happy accident’ opens door to countercrime compliance career, fueled by ‘What If’ scenario to stop Ponzi powerhouse

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08/25/2021 - By Erin O'Loughlin

Special ACFCS Report: The Front Lines – The Investigations Series: ‘OSINT Investigations’ Part 2 of 2, negative news, SARs and controlling the narrative

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08/15/2021 - By Erin O'Loughlin

ACFCS Exclusive Report: The Fall of Afghanistan – The Past is Prologue, a Preview of Terror 3.0

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08/13/2021 - By Brian Monroe

On heels of EU AML overhaul, EBA releases draft guidance, expectations for compliance officers, requirements for pan-bloc oversight, accountability, authority

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08/09/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Member Spotlight: Omri Kletter

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08/02/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Virtual Week Takeaways Day One: The power of data, public-private partnerships, the challenges of sanctions compliance, key updates under the U.S. AMLA

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07/30/2021 - By Brian Monroe

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2021: ACFCS offers key tips, tactics, resources to counter criminals, empower fincrime compliance teams

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07/27/2021 - By Brian Monroe

How to launder $1 million easily, quickly and quietly: a view into global AML vulnerabilities through the eyes of ‘The Infiltrator’

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07/22/2021 - By Brian Monroe

In aggressive AML overhaul, EU unsheathes new fincrime compliance authority, stronger rules to illumine crypto, stamp out ownership opacity

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07/20/2021 - By Erin O'Loughlin

Special ACFCS Report: The Front Lines – The Investigations Series: Information Overload – What is OSINT, part 1 of 2

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07/13/2021 - By Brian Monroe

Fincrime Career Tips and Tricks: To grow, rise in field, look for knowledge gaps, niches to specialize, set yourself apart

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07/08/2021 - By Mackenzie Martinez

Special ATII Report - How Human Traffickers Exploit International Economics: Cryptocurrencies, Banks, and Credit Cards (Part 2 of 2)

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What everyone is saying...

The CFCS tests the skills necessary to fight financial crime. It's comprehensive. Passing it should be considered a mark of high achievement, distinguishing qualified experts in this growing specialty area.

KENNETH E. BARDEN 

CFCS, Washington, DC

The exam tests one's ability to apply concepts in practical scenarios. Passing it can be a great asset for professionals in the converging disciplines of financial crime.

DANIEL DWAIN

CFCS, Chief Compliance Officer, Cidel Bank & Trust Inc. New York, NY

The Exam is far-reaching. I love that the questions are scenario based. I recommend it to anyone in the financial crime detection and prevention profession.

BECKI LAPORTE
CFCS, Principal - AML Strategy and Innovation, FinScan, Atlanta, GA

This certification comes at a very ripe time. Professionals can no longer get away with having siloed knowledge. Compliance is all-encompassing and enterprise-driven.

KATYA GOZIAS
CFCS, Los Angeles, CA

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