Claim OwnershipFinancial Crime Weekly Podcast
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Welcome to the Financial Crime UK Weekly podcast. I’m Chris Kirkbride and I lecture law.
This is an introductory podcast to give you a guide as to the sort of things which we will be looking at on this podcast in the first week of every month. However, there will be specials and additional podcasts out of this sequence if something happens which is significant and deserves a special episode.
So, what are the sort of things we’ll be talking about? Well, we will cover news, events, legal developments, and anything else that relates to financial crime, in the UK – obviously, because that is in the podcast title – but also in other jurisdictions. No man is an island and financial crime certainly does not respect national borders.
Broadly, the coverage will be all aspects of:
Fraud | Bribery | Market abuse and insider dealing | Money laundering and terrorist financing | Data and information theft | Cybercrime (phishing / smishing) and the challenges generated by fintech in terms of finance crime threats.
While these might be financial crimes, strictly speaking, but that is not all. It is necessary to reflect on the responses to financial crime which the state adopts. While this is less about fines and imprisonment, we will focus on confiscation and recovery schemes, sanctions imposed on those who have committed financial crimes, together with arrangements designed to allow the offender to avoid/defer prosecution, namely, deferred prosecution agreements.
Consideration will also be given to the regulatory architecture of financial crime, both domestic and international – as stated, financial crime does not respect borders – together with regulatory enforcement and aspects of the compliance industry – the industry which helps commercial entities stay on the right side of the law.
Finally, and this is a particular interest of mine, but I am fascinated by the interface between criminal and civil law where the facts of an event could lead to prosecution or civil action. Consequently, while this is a financial crime podcast, we will also consider those situations where the civil law might bring about a robust response to financial wrongdoing.
So, that’s it from me for now except to say that the podcast is available from the usual places, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iTunes, and others.
253 Episodes
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Welcome to episode 235 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury designates a 16-member network accused of diverting funds to Hizballah, and there is a guilty plea from a former bank CEO involving a multimillion-dollar fraud. In the UK, the NCA reports on the outcome of Operation Henhouse, and there is a new global public-private framework aimed at strengthening fraud prevention. The FCA has launched a formal investigation into the collapse of Market Financial Solutions, and announced a trial of Palantir technology for financial crime analysis. Finally, there is an international operation to dismantle a fraudulent dark web network, and a Dutch penal order issued against Fleurette for foreign bribery in the DRC.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 234 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, a landmark ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the classification of insider list notifications as "inside information" and the National Crime Agency’s latest strategic assessment on the tech-driven "criminal ecosystem". In the US, the Department of Justice has reached a resolution in a foreign bribery case involving medical device sales, while in the EU, there is a new collaborative effort between EU and African investigators to target transnational procurement and customs fraud. Finally, there have been a seizure of Iranian-linked domains used for cyber-enabled psychological operations.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 233 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, INTERPOL and the UNODC raise the problem of the "industrialisation of fraud." In England, the High Court has ruled that the tort of conversion cannot be used to recover stolen cryptocurrency, and the Environment Agency is to have police powers to address waste crime. The Council of the European Union has imposed new sanctions targeting malicious cyber activities and Russian hybrid threats. In the US, an Executive Order creates a task force to coordinate a national strategy against fraud, and the DOJ has seized $14.9 million linked to a trade-based money laundering scheme.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 232 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US designates four non-profits in Türkiye and Indonesia for allegedly funding Hamas, and takes action against a DPRK IT worker fraud network. In the UK, OFSI updates guidance on evaluating the "reasonableness" of legal fees in sanctions licensing, and it varies the Russia sanctions list concerning a close associate of Alisher Usmanov. The FATF has warned that offshore crypto service providers are creating critical blind spots for global AML enforcement, while a probe in Jersey is investigating whether the £2.4 billion proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC constitute proceeds of crime. Finally, there is the international dismantling of the 'SocksEscort' proxy network, and the sentencing of a UK national over an illegal sale-and-rent-back scheme which exploited vulnerable homeowners.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 231 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK Government unveils a £250 million Fraud Strategy and a new Online Crime Centre. In the US, the Treasury has released its 2026 National Risk Assessments, while the DOJ seeks to forfeit over $15 million tied to an Iranian oil-evasion network. We look at the UK's new unified strategic approach to sanctions enforcement, and an international police operation which dismantled a global drug-trafficking and money-laundering ring spanning four continents. Finally, the US Department of Justice’s first department-wide corporate enforcement policy aimed at standardising misconduct remediation, as well as the global 'Custos Viridis' operation, which targeted environmental crime and waste trafficking networks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 230 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the FCA has fined John Wood Group plc for publishing misleading financial statements, while banning orders have been issued against directors for fraud linked to NHS contracts. On international enforcement, a Spanish police operation has dismantled a money-laundering ring, and there has been a takedown of both the LeakBase data marketplace and a major phishing-as-a-service platform. On sanctions, the UK has issued new detailed licensing guidance for Belarus sanctions, while in other financial crime news, Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz argues for multilateral financial integrity as a vital tool against global inequality and corruption.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 229 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, there is major US civil forfeiture action targeting an oil tanker and 1.8 million barrels of crude oil linked to illicit trade between Iran and Venezuela. The FATF has warned that stablecoins accounted for 84% of illicit virtual asset volume in 2025, alongside an OPBAS report flagging persistent enforcement weaknesses in the AML supervision of professional services firms. In the EU, the EPPO reveals that VAT and customs fraud drove over €45 billion in estimated damages last year, while the NCA’s 2025-2026 Annual Plan shifts resources toward disrupting high-level corrupt elites and professional enablers. Finally, AUSTRAC has briefed the legal sector on upcoming AML/CTF obligations and the NCSC has warned UK organisations to harden cyber defences amid ongoing Middle East instability.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 228 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, significant enforcement actions as the US Treasury sanctions Iran’s "shadow fleet" and procurement networks, while FinCEN moves to cut Swiss bank MBaer off from the American financial system. In the UK, Transparency International’s report on £5.9 billion in trade between UK Overseas Territories and Russia, alongside the SFO’s first use of Unexplained Wealth Orders and its successful £283,000 confiscation order against Harlequin fraudster David Ames. Furthermore, we examine Europol’s dismantling of a multinational cocaine laundering network and a new UNODC report exposing the $18 billion global waste trafficking industry. Finally, we cover the appointment of Graham McNulty as Interim Director of the SFO and the strategic highlights from the FATF’s 2024–2025 Annual Report.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 227 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the UK government’s most extensive sanctions package against Russia since 2022, targeting nearly 300 entities and vessels, alongside a prison sentence for a UK director who illicitly exported military-grade rifle sights to Hong Kong. In enforcement news, the SFO has secured a prison term for the perpetrator of a global aircraft parts fraud, while a Washington man has admitted to laundering nearly $100 million for an international investment scam. We also consider the FCA’s action against seven social media influencers for unauthorised financial promotions and the ICO’s landmark legal victory in the Court of Appeal regarding data security. Furthermore, we look at a new FATF report on the rise of cyber-enabled fraud and a significant poll showing that a majority of NATO publics view cyberattacks on critical infrastructure as acts of war. Finally, we cover the appointment of the EU’s new AMLA Vice-Chair and a warning from the NCA’s AI lead regarding potential bias risks in predictive policing technology. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 226 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we cover a significant international enforcement push by INTERPOL, while the US Treasury targets a CJNG−linked timeshare fraud network. We also look at US sanctions imposed on Sudanese RSF commanders and MONEYVAL’s praise for Latvia’s significant AML/CFT progress. In legal developments, we cover the conviction of a Chinese national in a gift-card laundering scheme, and the Upper Tribunal’s decision to uphold FCA penalties against company directors. Finally, we examine ESMA’s new consultation to streamline market abuse disclosure rules. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 225 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at the outcomes of the FATF Plenary, the UK government’s call for evidence on sanctions ownership and control rules, and the FCA issuing a fine to the former Carillion CEO. In the US, the Treasury has launched a new confidential whistleblower portal, and FinCEN has warned of the rise of relationship-investment scams. Finally, we examine the World Economic Forum’s analysis of strengthening financial crime defences in the Gulf States, and a major UK government study concerning cyber attacks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 224 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the US Treasury has sanctioned a Hizballah-linked gold and shipping network operating across the Middle East and Russia, alongside a $1.72 million OFAC fine against IMG Academy for tuition-related violations of Mexican counternarcotics sanctions. In the UK, the FCA’s first-ever enforcement action against a global crypto exchange, HTX, for illegal UK promotions, while Transparency International warns that the UK’s new Representation of the People Bill still allows "mega-donors" to exert outsized political influence. We also look at the UK SFO’s conclusion that legacy e-discovery technical issues have not compromised past convictions, and the UK leads a 2,500-person multinational cyber-defence exercise in Singapore. Finally, we look at the alarming weaponisation of AI in cyber-espionage, highlighting a sophisticated campaign by state-sponsored hackers which marks an historic shift toward machine-speed autonomous attacks.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 223 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, the major story is the stark warning from Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, which highlights a global decline in public sector integrity and significant backsliding in established democracies like the UK and US. In sanctions enforcement, the US has designated a network of 14 "shadow fleet" vessels and multiple entities involved in trading Iranian oil, while the EU prepares its 20th sanctions package. We also examine the UK’s launch of a world-first framework to identify gaps in deepfake detection, alongside a warning from Google that state-sponsored hackers are increasingly targeting individual defence-sector employees via personalised phishing. Finally, we cover the federal indictment of a US Department of Defense employee for allegedly laundering millions for an overseas fraud network, the FCA’s latest fines for insider dealing, and the launch of OFAC’s new online portal to streamline voluntary self-disclosures.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 222 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a light flurry of UK sanctions activity, including the designation of six individuals under the Sudan regime and an update to general licensing following the merger of Bank FC Otkritie, while a new analysis explores how cryptocurrency is being leveraged to sustain Russia’s war economy. In fraud developments, we cover a nationwide US marriage-fraud and bribery indictment and in the UK a warning regarding AI voice cloning used to hijack direct debits. We also examine a Home Office evaluation of the National Fraud Squad, and a MONEYVAL assessment of Serbia. Finally, the CCRC has referred five City-trader convictions back to the Court of Appeal, and a significant shift in US policy toward lighter-touch financial regulation and expanded leniency for cooperative corporations.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 221 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a coordinated international push against Iranian repression, while in the US the Treasury has opened a path for established firms to resume Venezuelan oil exports. In the UK, the Upper Tribunal has upheld FCA findings of a lack of integrity against Rangecourt SA and its former executives, and the FCA has also warned that modernising the UK's payment landscape must include enhanced protections and reimbursement schemes for victims of authorised push payment APP scams. Finally, we cover the federal conviction of an Ohio fraud and bribery conspiracy and a multi-year effort by the US and Indonesia to strengthen asset recovery.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 220 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with a major escalation in international sanctions, as the EU targets 15 individuals and six entities in Iran for human rights abuses and military support for Russia, while the UK’s OFSI announces a sweeping overhaul of its enforcement framework. In the fraud and money laundering sectors, the National Audit Office has criticised the Ministry of Defence for recovering just 48p for every £1 spent on counter-fraud efforts, and HMRC has published a list of hundreds of businesses fined for anti-money laundering breaches. Finally, we cover significant legal milestones in the U.S., including the first-ever $1m anti trust whistle-blower reward involving a car auction bid−rigging scheme and the federal seizure of over $400 million linked to the Helix darknet crypto mixer.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 219 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with the UK government’s proposal to establish a new National Police Service, dubbed a "British FBI." In sanctions news, the US Treasury has designated nine vessels linked to Iran’s "shadow fleet," OFSI has fined Bank of Scotland for Russia-related breaches, and a UN expert has urged the US to lift sanctions against International Criminal Court officials. We also consider significant enforcement action, including an 18-year sentence for a fraud courier, a 46-month sentence of a Chinese national for money laundering, and bribery charges unsealed against a former NATO procurement official. Furthermore, we look at a £5.6 million confiscation order against a professional launderer tied to a massive Bitcoin fraud and a landmark report warning that fraud may soon constitute half of all crime in England and Wales. Finally, we cover the EU’s progress on a new Anti-Corruption Directive and the FCA’s warning to consumers regarding the risks of high-risk securities under the new public offers regime.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 218 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at decisive action from the US Treasury targeting a hidden Hamas support network using nonprofit fronts and a major Costa Rica-based cocaine trafficking and money laundering operation. In the UK, the City of London Police launched the "Report Fraud" service, and the SFO has charged two former executives following the collapse of the prepaid funeral provider. We also look at significant global compliance shifts, including a former TD Bank employee’s guilty plea in a $26 million laundering scheme and MONEYVAL reports highlighting strengthened AML frameworks in Azerbaijan and Estonia. Finally, we look at the IMF’s new governance diagnostic for Nepal and the transition to the UK Sanctions List as the sole authoritative source for domestic designations. A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 217 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with the US Treasury sanctioning 21 entities and individuals involved in Houthi oil smuggling and weapons procurement, while the EU marks a historic structural shift as the European Banking Authority transfers all AML/CFT mandates to the new AMLA. We examine the SFO’s conviction of three directors in a £70 million "ethical forestry" fraud and the FCA’s £309,843 fine against a consultant for repeated insider dealing. Furthermore, we discuss South Africa’s legislative push to close FATF gaps via its updated 2025 Amendment Bill, and a stern warning from a UK Treasury Select Committee that regulators are moving too slowly to address the systemic risks posed by the rapid integration of AI. Finally, we consider the industrialisation of cybercrime, the NCSC’s warning regarding escalating pro-Russian DDoS attacks on UK infrastructure, and new research into how youth cybercrime often begins with everyday online risk-taking.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
Welcome to episode 216 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we lead with significant sanctions updates as the UK and EU lower the oil price cap on Russian crude to $44.10 per barrel, and the US Treasury targets Iranian shadow-banking networks and security officials linked to illicit financing. We also analyse major domestic and international enforcement, including the UK SFO’s £300 million bribery and fraud probe into Home REIT, Spain’s record €30 million AML penalty against CaixaBank, and the sentencing of a Massachusetts man to 15 years for international money laundering. Furthermore, we look at Transparency International’s warning regarding the erosion of US anti-corruption leadership and the EU's decision to remove South Africa from its list of high-risk jurisdictions. Finally, we cover MONEYVAL’s latest progress reports on a number of nations and a new transnational coalition of financial intelligence units meeting in Washington to disrupt global organised crime.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.
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