The Top 10  Most Difficult Countries for Identity Verification

The Top 10  Most Difficult Countries for Identity Verification

Download Report

    n-img-roi-cross

    Before You Go, Schedule Your Free Demo Today

    Valid Invalid number


    Note: Fields marked with an asterisk(*) are mandatory.

    n-exit-img-roi-cross

    Thank you for your demo request

    We appreciate your interest and look forward to discussing how our solution can meet your needs. Expect to hear from us shortly with scheduling details.

    Close

    Europol Arrests 106 Suspects in Money Laundering, Online Fraud Case

    arrests

    The organised crime operation involved phishing scams and numerous business email compromise attacks.

    A joint operation led by Europol, the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), the Italian National Police (Polizia di Stato), and Eurojust has resulted in the arrest of 106 suspects that were spread across Spain and Italy. 

    According to Europol, the criminal gang used phishing scams, SIM swapping techniques, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks to defraud individuals, mounting to profits worth USD 11.7 million (€10 million) throughout 2020. 

    Labelled as “very well organised”, the criminal gang included computer crime experts that were tasked with the execution of phishing scams and other cyber fraud plans. Cryptocurrency experts, money mules, and money launderers were also found to be involved in the criminal network. 

    Reports suggest that the crime group originated from the Canary Islands, Spain, and were tricking victims – mostly from Italy – into sending substantial amounts of funds into dedicated bank accounts, before laundering those funds through money mules and shell companies. 

    According to a 2019 report by the FBI, BEC is one of the most lucrative types of cybercrime, leading to losses worth billions in recent years. 

    On top of the 106 arrests, the joint operation also led to the freezing of 118 bank accounts along with the seizure of a number of devices, including 224 credit cards, SIM cards and point-of-sale terminals.  

    Europol had been investigating the group for over a year prior to these arrests. As part of the operation, Europol deployed two analysts and one forensic expert to Tenerife, Spain and one analyst to Italy. Europol also funded the deployment of three Italian investigators to Tenerife to support the Spanish authorities during the action day. 

    Suggested Read: AML Solutions: Eliminating the Risks of Money Laundering

    Related Posts

    News

    Financial regulators assure further assistance to the industry during COVID-19

    Global financial regulators guarantee to provide ease in the regulations to deal with the COVID-1...

    Financial regulators assure further assistance to the industry during COVID-19 Explore More

    News

    FinTech in Malaysia is Improving Due to Friendly Regulations

    Malaysia has taken a user-friendly approach to adapt to financial regulations as it is working to...

    FinTech in Malaysia is Improving Due to Friendly Regulations Explore More

    News

    Europol and EU Member States Launch Operation Targeting Assets of Sanctioned Entities

    Europol and EU member states along with Eurojust and Frontex have launched Operation Oscar to ass...

    Europol and EU Member States Launch Operation Targeting Assets of Sanctioned Entities Explore More

    News

    China Warns of Money Laundering Risks Arising from NFTs

    China has warned of the financial risks associated with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as three indus...

    China Warns of Money Laundering Risks Arising from NFTs Explore More

    News

    US Crypto Firms Reluctant Towards New KYC/AML Proposal by FinCEN

    The US crypto firm, Coinbase, sent a letter to FinCEN with a clear message, “There is no emergenc...

    US Crypto Firms Reluctant Towards New KYC/AML Proposal by FinCEN Explore More

    News

    Filipino crypto scammers are impersonating government officials for profit

    A Filipino finance entity warns against the supposed crypto Ponzi scheme Bitcoin Revolution, blam...

    Filipino crypto scammers are impersonating government officials for profit Explore More

    News

    1.6M Unemployment Claim Filers Exposed Due to Data Breach

    The Washington State Auditor’s Office has investigated an incident that has exposed the personal ...

    1.6M Unemployment Claim Filers Exposed  Due to Data Breach Explore More

    News

    Ransomware Attack Exposes 5.8 Million Pharmaceutical Records of PharMerica Corporation

    A breach notification was filed with the Maine Attorney General’s Office for the first time, reve...

    Ransomware Attack Exposes 5.8 Million Pharmaceutical Records of PharMerica Corporation Explore More

    News

    Atomic Wallet Hack Results in $35 Million Loss as Investigation Continues

    Atomic Wallet users have reported losing millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency. It was anno...

    Atomic Wallet Hack Results in $35 Million Loss as Investigation Continues Explore More

    News

    Deutsche Bank Pays $130M to Avoid Corrupt Payment Charges

    Deutsche Bank, a German investment bank, has agreed to pay the fine of $130 million to settle the...

    Deutsche Bank Pays $130M to Avoid Corrupt Payment Charges Explore More

    News

    SEC Updates Regulatory Disclosures for Chinese Issuers Amid Crackdown

    Chinese businesses, as per a ruling by the SEC, are directed to present additional disclosures re...

    SEC Updates Regulatory Disclosures for Chinese Issuers Amid Crackdown Explore More

    News

    Regulatory Authorities Fines TD Bank, Adelaide Casino, and SBI over $500 Million For AML Failings

    International financial watchdogs have imposed a fine of over $500 million on TD Bank, Adelaide C...

    Regulatory Authorities Fines TD Bank, Adelaide Casino, and SBI over $500 Million For AML Failings Explore More

    News

    Financial Watchdogs in Thailand Issue Strict KYC for New Crypto Accounts

    The government in Thailand plans to eliminate anonymity in the new crypto account creation by enf...

    Financial Watchdogs in Thailand Issue Strict KYC for New Crypto Accounts Explore More

    News

    Russian Government Bans New Crypto Website for ‘Promoting Money Laundering’

    The Russian government has banned the new website Bits.media for allegations of promoting illicit...

    Russian Government Bans New Crypto Website for ‘Promoting Money Laundering’ Explore More

    News

    SFC Imposed a HK$9 Fine on RIFA Future for KYC Failings

    RIFA Limited was charged by the domestic regulatory authority of Hong Kong, the Securities and Fu...

    SFC Imposed a HK$9  Fine on RIFA Future for KYC Failings Explore More

    News

    US Army to Adopt Facial Recognition Technology for Securing Military Base

    United States Army is looking to apply face recognition technology on their military base to imme...

    US Army to Adopt Facial Recognition Technology for Securing Military Base Explore More

    News

    Banks Warned about Cryptocurrency Risk Exposure by FinCEN Director

    During a virtual anti-money laundering conference by ACAMS in Las Vegas earlier this week, FinCEN...

    Banks Warned about Cryptocurrency Risk Exposure by FinCEN Director Explore More

    News

    Canada to Establish Beneficial Ownership Registry to Fight Financial Crimes

    The Candian Federal budget has brought good news for the supporters of anti-money laundering. The...

    Canada to Establish Beneficial Ownership Registry to Fight Financial Crimes Explore More

    News

    NAB, Largest Casinos Operators Caught in AUSTRAC’s Wrath

    National Australia Bank (NAB) and the two largest casino operators in Australia are under investi...

    NAB, Largest Casinos Operators Caught in AUSTRAC’s Wrath Explore More

    News

    Myanmar Promises Improvements after FATF’s Blacklisting

    Myanmar’s central bank has made promises of reforms and issued a warning against currency m...

    Myanmar Promises Improvements after FATF’s Blacklisting Explore More

    News

    Beverly Hills Store Pleads Guilty to Conspiring with Drug Money Launderers

     U.S. Private Vaults, Inc. has pleaded guilty to charges on its Beverly Hills store of conspiring...

    Beverly Hills Store Pleads Guilty to Conspiring with Drug Money Launderers Explore More

    News

    Digital euro successfully tested at the Bank of France

    On May 20, Banque de France announced that France has become the first country to successfully te...

    Digital euro successfully tested at the Bank of France Explore More

    News

    Turkey to Face FATF’s Gray List Over Inadequate AML Practices

    FATF is set to grey list Turkey over AML shortcomings, a move that is likely to affect the countr...

    Turkey to Face FATF’s Gray List Over Inadequate AML Practices Explore More

    News

    BBB Warns About the Potential Scams Fuelled by the COVID Vaccine Passports

    As people around the world are increasingly becoming vaccinated, the concern about the vaccine pa...

    BBB Warns About the Potential Scams Fuelled by the COVID Vaccine Passports Explore More

    News

    Canada’s Federal Government Announces Public Consultation Regarding a New Framework for Digital Identity

    Canada’s government announces public consultation for creating a federally regulated digital iden...

    Canada’s Federal Government Announces Public Consultation Regarding a New Framework for Digital Identity Explore More

    News

    Canada Financial Crimes Agency Questioned on Effectiveness of Anti-Fraud Measures

    Anti-fraud experts are reporting concerns regarding the Liberals’ newly announced Canada Financia...

    Canada Financial Crimes Agency Questioned on Effectiveness of Anti-Fraud Measures Explore More

    News

    ‘EU Has Fragmented Approach to Combat FinCrime’, Says ECA

    The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has identified weaknesses in the Anti-Money Laundering polic...

    ‘EU Has Fragmented Approach to Combat FinCrime’, Says ECA Explore More

    News

    Swiss Prosecutors Scrutinize Lebanon’s Central Bank for Money Laundering

    Prosecutors in Switzerland are carrying out investigations from the British Virgin Islands to Gen...

    Swiss Prosecutors Scrutinize Lebanon’s Central Bank for Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Leading Japanese Crypto Exchange Loses $100 Million to Hackers

    Liquid Global, a leading cryptocurrency exchange in Japan was hit by a hacking attack and the exc...

    Leading Japanese Crypto Exchange Loses $100 Million to Hackers Explore More

    News

    Ireland Mandates Registration of Crypto Firms Under AML Laws

    Ireland has taken new measures to regulate crypto businesses under the AML law for the first time...

    Ireland Mandates Registration of Crypto Firms Under AML Laws Explore More

    News

    Brazil’s financial regulator launches regulatory blockchain

    The Banco Central do Brasil (BC) recently declared the launching of a new blockchain platform cal...

    Brazil’s financial regulator launches regulatory blockchain Explore More

    News

    The number of Bitcoin ATMs has increased to 8,000

    The total number of Bitcoin ATMs across the world have crossed 8,000. The United States has more...

    The number of Bitcoin ATMs has increased to 8,000 Explore More

    News

    Banks in the UK Face Customer Frustration for Digital Identity Checks

    The global analytics software service provider FICO has reported that the banks in the United Kin...

    Banks in the UK Face Customer Frustration for Digital Identity Checks Explore More

    News

    Rapstar Captured for His Role in Wire Fraud Scheme

    A famous rapper from Chicago with his crew members was caught and charged in court for using the ...

    Rapstar Captured for His Role in Wire Fraud Scheme Explore More

    News

    German FinTech N26 Notches $100M Amid COVID-19 Uncertainty

    A funding deal for an extra $100 million has been closed by a German challenger bank N26 as it pr...

    German FinTech N26 Notches $100M Amid COVID-19 Uncertainty Explore More

    News

    Fiat is the Top Choice of Currency for Financial Criminals, Says US Treasury

    The US Treasury Department has released a three-year report on money laundering and terrorist fin...

    Fiat is the Top Choice of Currency for Financial Criminals, Says US Treasury Explore More

    News

    Turkey at Risk of Becoming a Haven for Russian Sanctions

    Turkey is facing rising pressure for compliance with sanctions imposed on Russia and to increase ...

    Turkey at Risk of Becoming a Haven for Russian Sanctions Explore More

    News

    The UK Law Firms Approve the Use of AI in AML Armoury

    The Legal Sector Affinity Group is the governing body of all the UK’s legal regulatory and repres...

    The UK Law Firms Approve the Use of AI in AML Armoury Explore More

    News

    Nexo to Sue Bulgarian State over Money Laundering Allegations

    The Bulgarian crypto lending bank, Nexo, revealed that it would file legal action against the Bul...

    Nexo to Sue Bulgarian State over Money Laundering Allegations Explore More

    News

    FinCEN and OCC Fine Texas Bank $9 Million for BSA-AML Violations

    A Texas community bank was fined by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Off...

    FinCEN and OCC Fine Texas Bank $9 Million for BSA-AML Violations Explore More

    News

    Latvia Struggles with Flow of Illicit Money Despite Regulatory Crackdown

    Latvia continues to face illicit financial flow despite the regulatory crackdown that shut down t...

    Latvia Struggles with Flow of Illicit Money Despite Regulatory Crackdown Explore More

    News

    EBA Issues Draft to Set up Central Database for AML and CFT

    On December 20, 2021, the European Banking Authority (EBA) issued its draft Regulatory Technical ...

    EBA Issues Draft to Set up Central Database for AML and CFT Explore More

    News

    Cambodian Minister of Justice Addresses AML Action Plan to Escape FATF’s Gray List

    The Minister of Justice Koeut Rith has advised all financial institutions to continue their coope...

    Cambodian Minister of Justice Addresses AML  Action Plan to Escape FATF’s Gray List Explore More

    News

    AML and Crypto Fines Surge to £4bn in Regulatory Crackdown

    The global AML fines surged 53% in 2022, while crypto fines rose over 90% as regulators cracked d...

    AML and Crypto Fines Surge to £4bn in Regulatory Crackdown Explore More

    News

    UAE Freezes Assets of Irish Crime Syndicate for Laundering Money Through Dubai

    The UAE has frozen the assets of Ireland’s Kinahan Crime Syndicate, mounting the pressure on an o...

    UAE Freezes Assets of Irish Crime Syndicate for Laundering Money Through Dubai Explore More

    News

    UAE Establishes Anti-Money Laundering Bodies to Enhance Global Monitoring

    The United Arab Emirates is enhancing its money monitoring system to combat illicit cash flows, m...

    UAE Establishes Anti-Money Laundering Bodies to Enhance Global Monitoring Explore More

    News

    Scammers Stealing Kids’ Identities By Offering ‘Free Child Safety Kids”

    The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning parents to be aware of ‘free child safety kits’ as sc...

    Scammers Stealing Kids’ Identities By Offering ‘Free Child Safety Kids” Explore More

    News

    FinCEN Proposes Extension in Suspicious Activity Reporting Rules

    The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM...

    FinCEN Proposes Extension in Suspicious Activity Reporting Rules Explore More

    News

    Financial gain surpasses espionage as a top motivator in cyber attacks

    NEW YORK – According to Verizon’s annual report on cybercrimes, money surpassed spying as t...

    Financial gain surpasses espionage as a top motivator in cyber attacks Explore More

    News

    UAE Issues a Total of $11 Million in Fines for AML Offenses in First Half of 2022

    UAE’s AML task force has imposed fines of over Dh41 million ($11m) in the first six months of 202...

    UAE Issues a Total of $11 Million in Fines for AML Offenses in First Half of 2022 Explore More

    News

    Japan: FSA Sets a Firm Deadline For FI to Ensure Full AML/CFT Compliance

    Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has strictly directed financial institutions to devise a ...

    Japan: FSA Sets a Firm Deadline For FI to Ensure Full AML/CFT Compliance Explore More

    News

    Guyana Strengthens Judicial Officers Ability to Combat Financial Crime

    Guyana’s government started asset recovery training for the judicial officers to boost their capa...

    Guyana Strengthens Judicial Officers Ability to Combat Financial Crime Explore More

    News

    Authorities Warn that the Current Crypto Landscape is Plagued with Scam

    According to the Connecticut State Police, the emerging virtual cryptocurrency market is prone to...

    Authorities Warn that the Current Crypto Landscape is Plagued with Scam Explore More

    News

    FinCEN Alerts FIs of Sanction Evasion by Russian Entities Implicated in U.S. Commercial Property Investments

    FinCEN alerted all the Financial Institutions warning about the risk of investment from sanctione...

    FinCEN Alerts FIs of Sanction Evasion by Russian Entities Implicated in U.S. Commercial Property Investments Explore More

    News

    Singapore Passes Stringent Regulations to Clamp Down on Money Mules

    Singapore has passed stringent regulations to clamp down on money mules and those who give contro...

    Singapore Passes Stringent Regulations to Clamp Down on Money Mules Explore More

    News

    Singaporean Regulatory Authority Imposes $7.8M Worth of AML Non-Compliance Fines

    The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed $7.8m fines on financial sector businesses,...

    Singaporean Regulatory Authority Imposes $7.8M Worth of AML Non-Compliance Fines Explore More

    News

    Australia DTA Consults on Upcoming “Trusted Digital Identity Bill”

    The consultation will facilitate the Trusted Digital Identity Bill, making digital identity syste...

    Australia DTA Consults on Upcoming “Trusted Digital Identity Bill” Explore More

    News

    Crypto Providers at Risk of Money Laundering & Terror Financing, Says FMA

    The Crypto industry was rated high-risk in the latest sector risk assessment (SRA) of the FMA, wh...

    Crypto Providers at Risk of Money Laundering & Terror Financing, Says FMA Explore More

    News

    FinCEN Highlights That AML/CFT Regulation Requires Transformation to Fight Modern Crimes

    The acting director of FinCEN has highlighted the fact that the existing AML/CFT regulatory frame...

    FinCEN Highlights That AML/CFT Regulation Requires Transformation to Fight Modern Crimes Explore More

    News

    South Africa’s Addition to FATF Gray List Causes Unforeseen Repercussions on Tax Law Implementation

    Tax Consulting SA’s report has revealed that greylisting has caused disquietude surrounding...

    South Africa’s Addition to FATF Gray List Causes Unforeseen Repercussions on Tax Law Implementation Explore More

    News

    “Online Trading Platforms to Become a New Hub for Investment Scams” Warns FCA

    FCA warns that investment scams are increasing in the UK via online means of trading platforms an...

    “Online Trading Platforms to Become a New Hub for Investment Scams” Warns FCA Explore More

    News

    Fed Board Issues Directives Restricting Member Banks Holding Crypto as Principal

    The US Federal Reserve rule cemented the Central bank’s caution about crypto asset activities, pr...

    Fed Board Issues Directives Restricting Member Banks Holding Crypto as Principal Explore More

    News

    ACCC Calls for Heavy Penalties to Make Tech Giants Scam-free

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has demanded severe penalties linked to...

    ACCC Calls for Heavy Penalties to Make Tech Giants Scam-free Explore More

    News

    Austrac Warns of Money Laundering Risks Unless More Prosecutions are Conducted

    Austrac has warned the law enforcement agencies in Australia that they must conduct more money la...

    Austrac Warns of Money Laundering Risks Unless More Prosecutions are Conducted Explore More

    News

    US Authorities Seize Bahamas Bank for Laundering $58 Million

    It’s rumoured that Deltec, a Bahamas-based bank popular with crypto clients, is linked to a...

    US Authorities Seize Bahamas Bank for Laundering $58 Million Explore More

    News

    UK Authorities Accuse Attorneys of Failure in Combating Financial Crimes

    The UK regulatory authorities asserted that new data revealed prosecutors inadequately comply wit...

    UK Authorities Accuse Attorneys of Failure in Combating Financial Crimes Explore More

    News

    The Age Verification Software Market to Experience Tremendous Growth by 2025

    The increasing number of scams in today’s virtual world needs a better verification system. Prote...

    The Age Verification Software Market to Experience Tremendous Growth by 2025 Explore More

    News

    US Crypto Industry Faces Pushback on Implementation of Crypto-Friendly Legislation

    The US crypto firms visited Capitol Hill to push their industry-friendly regulations however, thi...

    US Crypto Industry Faces Pushback on Implementation of Crypto-Friendly Legislation Explore More

    News

    UK’s Regulatory Agencies not Coming Slow Against Money Laundering

    HM Revenue & Customs carried out an extensive investigation on the UK’s real-estate agencies ...

    UK’s Regulatory Agencies not Coming Slow Against Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Deutsche Bank Subordinate DWS Fined $25 Million for AML Violations

    In the latest enforcement action, the Security Exchange Commission (SEC) has fined $25 million to...

    Deutsche Bank Subordinate DWS Fined $25 Million for AML Violations Explore More

    News

    Criminal Group in KSA Jailed 24 Years Over Money Laundering Offence

    Criminals in Saudi Arabia sentenced to 25 years imprisonment after getting caught in money launde...

    Criminal Group in KSA Jailed 24 Years Over Money Laundering Offence Explore More

    News

    Small Business Group Sues Treasury Department Over ‘Money Laundering Transparency Initiative’

    A small business lobbying group has sued the Treasury Department over asking more than 30 million...

    Small Business Group Sues Treasury Department Over ‘Money Laundering Transparency Initiative’ Explore More

    Take the next steps to better security.

    Contact us

    Get in touch with our experts. We'll help you find the perfect solution for your compliance and security needs.

    Contact us

    Request demo

    Get free access to our platform and try our products today.

    Get started