NEWS: Australia is ‘economically vulnerable’ to dirty money says FinCrime expert

Regulatory Watch News

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  FinCEN Analysis: Financial Institutions Flagged Nearly $5 Billion Linked to Suspected Human Smuggling

  FinCEN

  August 13, 2026

  WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Financial Trend Analysis showing that financial institutions flagged nearly $5 billion linked to suspected human smuggling over a three-year period. The report, which analyzed patterns and trends identified in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) data between 2023 and 2025, identified several consistent indicators, including unverifiable relationships between originators and beneficiaries, transactions sent along common migration routes, and excessive cash activity conducted along the southwest border of the United States.

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  New online form for inviting OFSI to participate in events

  OFSI

  August 13, 2026

  Today OFSI has launched a new GOV.UK online form for organisations wishing to invite OFSI to speak at, attend, or participate in events.  The form provides a single route for submitting invitations and helps ensure requests are directed to the appropriate team with the information needed for consideration.  What does this mean? 

  • The new form is now the preferred route for submitting invitations to OFSI. 

  • It can be used for conferences, webinars, workshops, roundtables and other engagement activities. 

  Why are we introducing the form? 

  • To provide a simple and consistent process for submitting invitations. 

  • To make it easier for organisations to engage with OFSI. 

  • To support more efficient handling of requests. 

  Access the form  The form is available on GOV.UK  

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  Bulgaria: Vineyard owner indicted for attempted €348 000 EU subsidy fraud

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  August 13, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 13 August 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria) has filed an indictment against a vineyard owner suspected of attempting to obtain €348 231.64 in EU funding on the basis of false information. The investigation concerns an application for financial support submitted in November 2023 under the “Restructuring and Conversion of Vineyards” intervention, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF).