Financial Crime Weekly Podcast - podcast cover

Financial Crime Weekly Podcast

Christopher Kirkbrideredcircle.com

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.

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Episodes

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 167

Hello, and welcome to episode 167 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This episode covers a wide-ranging set of developments across the sanctions, fraud, market abuse, and cybercrime landscapes. Highlights include new UK sanctions guidance for non-UK businesses, the lifting of long-standing US sanctions on Syria, and a revealing review of the UK’s evolving sanctions strategy. We also cover OFAC’s fresh regulations targeting the International Criminal Court, Spain’s takedo...

Jul 03, 202516 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 166

Hello, and welcome to episode 166 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This episode covers a breadth of developments across the financial crime landscape—from a push to reform UK sanctions oversight and new MONEYVAL progress reports on North Macedonia and Romania, to the FATF’s latest warnings on illicit finance risks in the virtual asset sector. It also features FinCEN’s landmark action against Mexico-based banks linked to fentanyl trafficking, a UK textile trader sentenc...

Jun 29, 202518 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 165

Hello, and welcome to episode 165 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast – midweek edition – I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at the sweep of global enforcement actions, including expanded US sanctions targeting Iran’s defence networks and the Houthi oil smuggling operation, alongside EU measures against Syrian elites for human rights abuses. We cover FATF’s push to align financial inclusion with AML priorities and examine how scammers are exploiting funeral livestreams. You'll also ...

Jun 26, 202519 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 164

Hello, and welcome to episode 164 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at developments across the sanctions, money laundering, and cybercrime landscapes. From the UK’s sanctions update delisting Slobodan Tešić and targeting a Ugandan ISIL facilitator, to the US Treasury’s action against CJNG cartel leaders. We look at the FATF’s enhanced standards for cross-border payments, the EU’s evolving anti-corruption strategy, and a significant legal review ...

Jun 22, 202522 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 163

Hello, and welcome to episode 163 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at new sanctions imposed by OFAC on illicit financial networks, a landmark Justice Department decision on voluntary disclosure in sanctions violations, and the latest geopolitical tensions affecting global enforcement efforts. We also look at China’s potential easing of sanctions on UK lawmakers, the UK’s intensified measures against Russian entities, and OFSI’s latest assessmen...

Jun 19, 202523 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 162

Hello, and welcome to episode 162 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we look at developments in global financial crime enforcement, including the UK Information Tribunal's affirmation of OFSI's "Neither Confirm Nor Deny" approach to sanctions licence confidentiality, calls to strengthen UK whistleblower protections for sanctions enforcement, and the EU's latest sanctions against Russia. We also examine regulatory shifts, such as the Netherlands' ban on l...

Jun 15, 202532 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 161

Hello, and welcome to episode 161 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast – midweek edition – I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this first midweek episode, we cover significant developments in global sanctions, money laundering enforcement, and anti-corruption efforts. From the US imposing sanctions on ICC judges and Iran’s shadow banking network to a global coalition imposing sanctions on two Israeli politicians. We also look at Argentina’s Anti-Corruption Office clearing President Milei in the LIBRA scand...

Jun 12, 202522 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 160

Hello, and welcome to episode 160 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, we look at fresh developments in sanctions enforcement, money laundering crackdowns, and fraud investigations. The UK government is pressuring Roman Abramovich over £2.5 billion in frozen funds from Chelsea FC’s sale, while OFAC targets Guyanese and Colombian drug traffickers using narco-subs and secret airstrips. We explore how Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are strengthenin...

Jun 08, 202535 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 159

Hello, and welcome to episode 159 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, we cover developments in global financial crime enforcement, sanctions policy shifts, and emerging regulatory challenges. In the US, the Treasury has provided sanctions relief for Syria, while the EU has made a parallel decision. Switzerland has proposed an overhaul of money laundering laws, while India is making a diplomatic push for Pakistan’s reclassification on the FATF grey ...

Jun 01, 202527 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 158

Hello, and welcome to episode 158 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, we begin with the UK’s latest sanctions enforcement strategy, including new measures targeting Russia’s financial networks, extremist settler groups in the West Bank, and corruption in Moldova and Georgia. We then cover the UK’s 100 new sanctions in response to Russia’s largest drone attack on Ukraine, alongside updates on whistleblowing protections for trade sanctions violations...

May 25, 202534 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 157

Hello, and welcome to episode 157 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, the UK’s OFSI has published a blog post after it issued its first penalty for failing to respond to a statutory Request for Information, reinforcing compliance expectations. Meanwhile, Mozambique has met FATF requirements for removal from the grey list, signalling progress in financial transparency. The FCA continues its crackdown on insider trading, warning against strategic lea...

May 18, 202540 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 156

Hello, and welcome to episode 156 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. In this week’s episode, we explore major developments in financial crime and global enforcement. The European Union is advancing its 17th sanctions package against Russia, coordinating with the US amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, while OFAC targets cyber scam operators and tightens sanctions on Iranian oil importers. The UK has amended export controls, reinforced financial penalties, and sanctioned...

May 11, 202528 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 155

Hello, and welcome to episode 155 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This week’s episode covers key developments in global sanctions enforcement, corporate transparency, and financial fraud. We look at China’s potential easing of sanctions on MEPs, concerns over UK professionals enabling Russian sanctions evasion, and OFSI’s latest amendments to Russian designations and Syria-related licences. The episode also dives into OFAC’s expanded counter-terrorism measures, the UK...

May 04, 202533 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 154

Hello, and welcome to episode 154 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This week's edition looks at global developments in financial crime enforcement, sanctions, and regulatory updates. We explore the Yemen International Bank's response to US sanctions, new measures targeting Iranian LPG facilitators, and adjustments to UK sanctions on Syria. Additionally, we look at the evolving landscape of anti-money laundering compliance, including responses from the American Bankers ...

Apr 27, 202532 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 153

Hello, and welcome to episode 153 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This week's episode covers the latest global developments in financial crime, sanctions, fraud, market abuse, and cyber threats. In this episode, we delve into the controversy surrounding US sanctions on the International Criminal Court, escalating restrictions on Russian financial networks, and covert Iranian oil transactions. We also cover major money laundering arrests in the Netherlands, new anti-co...

Apr 20, 202537 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 152

Hello, and welcome to episode 152 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This week's episode covers a range of topics, including sanctions, money laundering, fraud, bribery, corruption, market abuse, and cybercrime. Highlights include new sanctions imposed by the US and China, updates on anti-money laundering reforms in Switzerland, and significant fraud investigations in the EU and US. The episode also discusses the UK's first conviction for breaching Russia-related sanctio...

Apr 13, 202546 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 151

Hello, and welcome to episode 151 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. After a few quiet weeks, the news has increased this week. On sanctions, new designations aimed at the usual targets in the US, as well as enforcement news. The UK has amended some licences, as well as having issued new designations. On money laundering AUSTRAC has made a number of updates to its website, and Transparency International reflects on anti-money laundering reform in Switzerland. On fraud ne...

Apr 06, 202528 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 150

Hello, and welcome to episode 150 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. The sanctions news this week brings new designations from the US and UK, as well as a host of amendments to designations and licences in the UK. The money laundering news brings a Hawala warning from HMRC in the UK, and of the need for public-private collaboration from the FATF. On bribery and corruption news, the UNDP has updated on its collaborative efforts in Samoa, and the OECD puts Belgium into the...

Mar 30, 202522 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 149

Hello, and welcome to episode 149 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. The sanctions news this week probably accounts for the bulk of the news. New sanctions from the EU, UK, and US, as well as the monthly report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clear Air. In the UK, the National Crime Agency has published its SARs Reporter Booklet for March, and on bribery news, more on the corruption investigation relating to people connected to the European Parliament, and the...

Mar 23, 202519 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 148

Hello, and welcome to episode 148 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, threats to Russia from the US, minor changes to the UK sanctions regime, and a couple of pieces of reading I wanted to share. On money laundering, a crypto exchange take-down in the US, while on bribery and corruption, activity in the EU against alleged corruption. On fraud, interesting stories from the US with warnings of fraud and the scale of fraud committed against citizens. On other f...

Mar 16, 202517 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 147

Hello, and welcome to episode 147 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. Once more this week, we have seen an uptick in financial crime news. On sanctions, broad changes to the UK sanctions regime, while the US has focused its sanctions activity on the Houthis. On money laundering, more FATF Consultations and, in the US, it has been announced that the beneficial ownership elements of the Corporate Transparency Act will not be enforced in some circumstances. On fraud news, th...

Mar 09, 202518 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 146

Hello, and welcome to episode 146 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. The weeks are getting busier again, which is never a good sign. On sanctions, the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has spurred the European Union and the UK to issue further sanctions. On money laundering news, the FATF concluded its Paris plenary with updates to the ‘grey list’, changes to its Recommendations, and an opening to a consultation. The anti-corruption news comes from Ukr...

Mar 02, 202521 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 145

Hello, and welcome to episode 145 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. A reasonably busy week this week. On sanctions, new designations from the UK, EU, and US, while the UN has agreed a sanctions extension on Sudan. On money laundering, AUSTRAC and Europol announce action against remitters and digital currency exchanges and a money laundering gang. On market abuse, the Financial Conduct Authority has announced action against Mako Financial Markets Partnership for failings...

Feb 23, 202514 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 144

Hello, and welcome to episode 144 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. A reasonably busy week this week. On sanctions, changes to various regimes from the UK, including a shift in approach on Syria. On money laundering, MONEYVAL issues a report on Guernsey, and the FATF trails its upcoming plenary. The bribery and corruption news comes from the US with a range of stories, while on fraud, arrests in Europe relating to a multi-million-euro investment fraud. On market abuse, ...

Feb 16, 202519 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 143

Hello, and welcome to episode 143 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. The news is certainly starting to pick up now. There has been an increase in designations, principally from the US, though also from Australia. On money laundering news, MONEYVAL has issued an update on Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the FATF has published its Annual Report. On bribery and corruption news, the former Chief Operating Manager of Trafigura has been sentenced for his part in bribery, and GRE...

Feb 09, 202516 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 142

Hello, and welcome to episode 142 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. The news is starting to pick up now after the Christmas and New Year lull. On sanctions, additions to the Belarus financial sanctions regime by the UK, and the Council of Europe has made additions to its Russia financial sanctions regime. On money laundering, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced an indictment over money laundering by a criminal syndicate, and French authorities are to i...

Feb 02, 202517 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 141

Hello, and welcome to the first episode 141 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This week has been a quiet week, which in some cases will be due to the collective holding-of-breath following the change of administration in the US. That said, there have been some sanctions designations from the US, and money laundering warnings issued by the regulator in the UK. There is a fine for Danske Bank issued by the Norwegian financial services regulator for market manipulation, an...

Jan 26, 202510 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 140

Hello, and welcome to the first episode 140 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I’m Chris Kirkbride. This week, the sanctions have increased across a range of the usual suspects: Russia, Sudan, and North Korea. The US and UK have published a new memorandum of understanding, and the UK Supreme Court has heard an appeal against designation by Eugene Shvindler. On bribery and corruption, the US forfeits funds from a Venezuelan national, and agreed to repatriate forfeited funds to Nigeria. There ...

Jan 19, 202518 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 139

Hello, and welcome to the first episode of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast of 2025 – episode 139 – I’m Chris Kirkbride. The end of the calendar year and the beginning of the new calendar year offers some respite for the typical deluge of financial crime stories, and so it is with this episode. The sanctions news has the usual range of sanctions additions, amendments, and licences, with the big news from the UK where a new sanctions regime against people smugglers has been announced. On money ...

Jan 12, 202510 min

Financial Crime Weekly Episode 138

Hello, and welcome to the final episode of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast for 2024 – episode 138 – I’m Chris Kirkbride. On sanctions, new designations from the US and UK, and enforcement action against an alleged conspirator. MONEYVAL has been active in its work, publishing reports on Monaco, Croatia and Georgia, while AUSTRAC has been updating its website. Global Anti-Corruption Day has kept the Council of Europe, Transparency International, and OSCE busy this week, but news also comes from...

Dec 15, 202416 min
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