Anti-Financial Crime & Financial Crime Compliance
Regulatory Intelligence Leadership | Insight | Network

aml, Financial Crime, Fraud, US

ANALYSIS: Why falling AML fines in the US risk emboldening human traffickers’ financial networks

Premium June 4, 2026

Victims of scam centers who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar, stuck in limbo at a compound inside the KK Park, a fraud factory, and a human trafficking hub on the border with Thailand-Myanmar after a multinational crackdown on the compounds run by criminal gangs, operated by the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) in Myawaddy, Myanmar, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Premium

INSIGHT: AMLA & AMLR – How companies should interpret the EU’s new compliance framework

 Premium

NEWS: Russia sanctions 17-year-old schoolboy for exposing crypto money laundering

 Premium

NEWS: Fake ID ‘factory’ linked to migrant smuggling dismantled in Spain

U.S. regulators collected just under $1.7 billion in fines for money laundering and sanctions breaches in 2025, a 61% decline from the $4.3 billion imposed the year before, according to figures reported by the Financial Times.

The paper linked the drop to a more business-friendly enforcement posture and pullbacks from some investigations. Whatever the drivers, the swing changes how risk is priced. You can guarantee that criminal networks are paying attention.

AML Intelligence
Subscribe now to have unlimited access

With our membership subscription, you will have unlimited access to the AML Intelligence site, updated daily with the latest analysis, opinion, and breaking news across the sector, newsletter delivered twice per week, access to our Global Bank Fines & Penalties database, free access to Boardroom Series and more!

View subscription optionsIf you have an account, log in
Premium

INSIGHT: AMLA & AMLR – How companies should interpret the EU’s new compliance framework

 Premium

NEWS: Russia sanctions 17-year-old schoolboy for exposing crypto money laundering

 Premium

NEWS: Fake ID ‘factory’ linked to migrant smuggling dismantled in Spain

Regulatory Watch News

  • 4th annual OLAF Expenditure Conference takes place in Cyprus

    OLAF

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), in cooperation with the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union and AFCOS Cyprus1 , hosted the 4th annual OLAF Expenditure Conference this week in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. The conference brought together high level representatives from European institutions, Member States and specialised anti-fraud authorities to discuss the protection of the European Union’s financial interests and the future of the EU anti-fraud framework in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 to 2034.

  • Fake document factory dismantled in Spain: around 800 IDs seized

    Europol

    A French-led investigation, supported by Spain and Europol, led to the dismantling of a counterfeit document production facility in Alicante, Spain. The investigation involved the French National Police (Police Nationale/OLTIM) and the Spanish National Police (Policía National/UCRIF). The operational actions on 27 May 2026 led to one arrest and the seizure of approximately 800 forged European documents, document-production equipment, digital devices, a vehicle, and EUR 1 580 in cash. The search of the apartment, rented under a false name, uncovered a fully operational counterfeit document workshop, highlighting the industrial-scale production methods increasingly used by organised crime groups involved in document fraud.

  • Football clubs warned about questionable sponsorship deals with unauthorised financial firms

    Financial Conduct Authority

    According to the FCA, a number of unauthorised firms, including crypto businesses and trading platforms, are using sponsorship to target unwitting football fans. These unauthorised firms may be breaching UK financial services laws by providing financial services in the UK without authorisation. Fans using these firms risk losing all their money. The FCA has written directly to football clubs, mainly in the Premier League, to warn about their relationships with these firms and remind them of their responsibilities to fans. Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments at the FCA, said: 'Millions of football fans trust their club’s badge. Clubs should not let unauthorised financial firms exploit that loyalty by putting potentially dodgy products in front of millions of fans. 'A logo on a shirt means one thing: that firm paid for it. Fans should always check the firm using our Firm Checker tool before buying a financial product and help us show the red card to those that would risk your money.'

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Contact Us