Russian customs data shows that countries most actively facilitating circumvention of wartime sanctions by Russia include China, Turkey, Cyprus and the UAE, according to analysis by the Free Russia Foundation (FRF). Western allies are responding by calling on jurisdictions to… Read More ›

UAE
Companies in several jurisdictions sanctioned by US for facilitating business with Iran
Companies in several jurisdictions have been sanctioned by the US for facilitating the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum products to buyers in East Asia. This latest tranche of sanctions underlines the determination… Read More ›
Banks caused to violate sanctions to launder millions of dollars for Russian oligarchs and proscribed entities
US banks were caused to process tens of millions of dollars in schemes to evade sanctions and export controls applicable to Russia according to an indictment charging five Russian nationals and two oil traders with global sanctions evasion and money… Read More ›
MENA trade-based financial crime reference guide launched
With a long tradition of trade, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region shares trade-based financial crime (TBFC) typologies with other global trading hubs, according to a new guide published by the MENA chapter of the Global Coalition to… Read More ›
Financial sanctions imposed on six UAE banks for non-compliance
Six banks operating in the UAE have been fined for failing to comply with the OECD’s Multilateral Administrative Agreement for Automatic Exchange of Information and Common Reporting Standard (CRS) according to a Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) statement. The… Read More ›
US urges financial institutions in UAE and Turkey to be vigilant in relations with Russia
The US has reminded banks in the UAE and Turkey to be mindful of international efforts to combat Russian sanctions evasion amidst concerns in Washington that locations such as the Gulf and Turkey could harbour illicit cash linked to the… Read More ›
IWT Financial Flows Toolkit launched to support financial institutions
A toolkit aimed at supporting financial institutions in addressing and reporting suspicious transactions relating to the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) has been launched. Developed by the UK Serious Organised Crime Network in collaboration with the UAE government, WWF, TRAFFIC and… Read More ›
UAE added and Pakistan kept on FATF grey list
The UAE is the only new jurisdiction to have been put on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘grey list’ of countries at the global financial watchdog’s plenary meetings last week. The emirates are now actively working with the task… Read More ›