NEWS: US firms flag nearly $5bn linked to suspected human smuggling

Regulatory Watch News

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  Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald Issues Memorandum on the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Enforcement Priorities

  US Department of Justice

  August 13, 2026

  The Fraud Division has a clear mission: to prosecute fraud in the United States, no matter its size or complexity. This mission is critical to restoring public confidence in the federal government’s ability to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars. The Government Accountability Office recently estimated that the federal government loses between $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud — with other models showing even higher annual losses. Accordingly, Fraud Division personnel will work tirelessly to bring to justice individuals and corporations who have defrauded the public fisc, and threaten the health, safety, security, and prosperity of Americans.

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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