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

    us

    18.220.244.188

    FATF Claims Golden Visa Programs Raise Financial Crimes Activities

    n-img-fatf-claims

    The international regulatory body, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), reported that Citizenship by Investment (CBI), known as the “golden visa,” allows criminals to hide their laundered money and protect them from civil penalties and prosecutions

    According to FATF investigation findings, citizenship and residency programmes enhance the risks of financial crimes, such as money laundering, terrorist financing, and tax evasion. The probe found a lack of transparency in how the golden visa scheme works and a deficiency in collaboration with the member states. The FATF had urged members to comply with the AML regulations during the “golden passports” and “golden visa” programmes. In addition, they claimed the citizenship programme, including the residency scheme, is a “multi-dollar business” and assists launderers to evade corruption charges or access third countries. Admitting these programmes involve money laundering and other organised crimes, FATF president T. Raja Kumar stated, “they can and are being exploited by criminals and the corrupt, who want to launder their money, hide their identity and assets, or carry out further crimes. This report calls on governments operating these programmes to implement a variety of safeguards to ensure these programmes are administered in a risk-sensitive way.”

    The FATF also stressed that these permits make it easy for criminals to move from one country to another whilst hiding their identities by using shell companies in different nations. They emphasised the deficiencies in these programmes, such as insufficient risk assessment process, involvement of government bodies, and misuse of attorneys to help get citizenship. There are significant countries which offer citizenship programmes by the government. The first allowed business owners to invest a certain amount in a country to obtain a residency permit, and the second allowed them to get citizenship. 

    The amount depends on the countries and investment programme the business owner applied for. Although these programmes positively impact the country’s economy, these programmes are also involved in money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, and other financial crimes. The Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann, stated, “our joint FATF-OECD work identifies the risks and vulnerabilities around golden visa schemes and offers a series of mitigation measures to help policymakers and programme operators including appropriate due diligence, transparency, and integrity mechanisms.”

    According to the FATF research, although an adequate compliance process of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or Residency by Investment (RBI) initiatives benefits host nations and their citizens, there is a real risk of criminal activity when using them. Golden visa providers can utilise robust technology to verify the customer’s identity and compliance with the latest anti-money laundering obligations. It assists them in mitigating the risk of terrorism financing and other financial activities.  

    Suggested Reads: 

    FATF REMOVES CAYMAN ISLANDS AND PANAMA FROM INCREASED AML MONITORING LIST

    FATF DISCLOSES OUTCOMES OF OCTOBER PLENARY MEETING

    FATF WARNS MANY COUNTRIES CONTINUE TO FACE CHALLENGES IN MEETING VIRTUAL ASSET REGULATIONS

    Related Posts

    News

    Optus Data Breach Leaves Millions of Australians at Risk of Identity Theft

    The APF is investigating Optus’s data breach that involves millions of customers’ per...

    Optus Data Breach Leaves Millions of Australians at Risk of Identity Theft Explore More

    News

    Congress to Pass Urgently Needed AML & Whistleblower Protections Against Russian Oligarchs

    Congress is close to passing urgently required AML and whistleblower protections targeting Russia...

    Congress to Pass Urgently Needed AML & Whistleblower Protections Against Russian Oligarchs Explore More

    News

    FATF to Conduct Checks & ‘Gray List’ Countries to Enforce Crypto AML Regulations

    Global financial watchdog FATF has planned to perform checks and ‘grey list’ countries to ensure ...

    FATF to Conduct Checks & ‘Gray List’ Countries to Enforce Crypto AML Regulations Explore More

    News

    Hackers Leak Stolen Patient Data After Ransomware Attack on Medibank

    Medibank has warned its customers to be extra cautious after hackers started disclosing private m...

    Hackers Leak Stolen Patient Data After Ransomware Attack on Medibank Explore More

    News

    Cayman Island Businesses Urged to Maintain Beneficial Ownership Information

    Cayman companies are urged to maintain beneficial ownership information in accordance with intern...

    Cayman Island Businesses Urged to Maintain Beneficial Ownership Information Explore More

    News

    ABA House of Delegates Amends the AML Model Rule to Curb Financial Crimes

    The House of Delegates amended the ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16, which covers decl...

    ABA House of Delegates Amends the AML Model Rule to Curb Financial Crimes Explore More

    News

    FCA Advises Firms to Embed Data and Technology to Combat Financial Crimes

    Sarah Pritchard, the FCA executive director of markets, spoke at the Financial Crime Summit in Lo...

    FCA Advises Firms to Embed Data and Technology to Combat Financial Crimes Explore More

    News

    Bank of England Introduces New Regulatory Approach for Crypto

    The Bank of England is formulating the UK’s first regulatory framework for crypto assets and stat...

    Bank of England Introduces New Regulatory Approach for Crypto Explore More

    News

    Fake NFT Sold for £244k from Artist “Banksy’s” Website

    A fake link directed bidders to an online auction for Banksy’s NFT, which was posted on the now-d...

    Fake NFT Sold for £244k from Artist “Banksy’s” Website Explore More

    News

    BaFin Imposes $10M Fine on Deutsche Bank for Euribor Control Failing

    Deutsche Bank faces challenges as BaFin imposes a 10-million dollar fine for Euribor control fail...

    BaFin Imposes $10M Fine on Deutsche Bank for Euribor Control Failing Explore More

    News

    The Bicycle Hotel & Casino Fined $500K For Violating AML Laws

    The Bicycle Hotel and Casino will be paying $500K in fine as it failed to report Currency Transac...

    The Bicycle Hotel & Casino Fined $500K For Violating AML Laws Explore More

    News

    “Walk the Talk” – RUSI Calls On FATF to Promote Financial Inclusion

    RUSI has called out the FATF for not actively promoting financial inclusion as part of its primar...

    “Walk the Talk” – RUSI Calls On FATF to Promote Financial Inclusion Explore More

    News

    FCA Imposed a $1.05M fine on Barclays Bank for “Oversight Failings”

    The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on Monday revealed that it imposed a fine of 783,800 p...

    FCA Imposed a $1.05M fine on Barclays Bank for “Oversight Failings” Explore More

    News

    UK NCA Recovers $7.5 Million from Azerbaijani Laundromat Probe

    The UK’s NCA has recovered 5.6 million pounds ($7.5 million) from bank accounts in the country wh...

    UK NCA Recovers $7.5 Million from Azerbaijani Laundromat Probe Explore More

    News

    SEC Ramps Up Efforts to Tackle Identity Theft in the Captial Market

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has noted that the Identity Management System will d...

    SEC Ramps Up Efforts to Tackle Identity Theft in the Captial Market Explore More

    News

    Singapore to Strengthen Security Measures Against Phishing Scams

    Singapore is taking steps to introduce additional security measures to detect suspicious transact...

    Singapore to Strengthen Security Measures Against Phishing Scams Explore More

    News

    Hungary Becomes “Largely Compliant” with FATF Standards After Improving AML/CFT Measures

    The Anti-Money Laundering Body of the Council of Europe has stated that Hungary has improved its ...

    Hungary Becomes “Largely Compliant” with FATF Standards After Improving AML/CFT Measures Explore More

    News

    HMRC Fines Real Estate Agencies £500,000 for Anti-Money Laundering Violations

    HMRC has issued a total of  £519,645 in fines to 68 estate agents that failed to comply with rule...

    HMRC Fines Real Estate Agencies £500,000 for Anti-Money Laundering Violations Explore More

    News

    Colombia Releases New Regulations For Crypto Firms Operating in the Country

    The Colombian government passed new drafts for the local crypto organisations to continue operati...

    Colombia Releases New Regulations For Crypto Firms Operating in the Country Explore More

    News

    Chandigarh Cyber Cell Unit Arrested Criminals Involved in Overseas Money Laundering Activities

    A gang of a Chinese national and 20 other people got arrested by Chandigarh Police. Investigation...

    Chandigarh Cyber Cell Unit Arrested Criminals Involved in Overseas Money Laundering Activities Explore More

    News

    COVID Vaccine Certificate Fraud Leads to Suspension of GGD Employees

    A 20-year-old man arrested for being a part of Covid-19 certificate fraud. Many GGD employees are...

    COVID Vaccine Certificate Fraud Leads to Suspension of GGD Employees Explore More

    News

    Capital One Penalized $390M for ‘Willful’ Violation of the Bank Secrecy Act

    Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has imposed $390 million as penalty on Capital One ...

    Capital One Penalized $390M for ‘Willful’ Violation of the Bank Secrecy Act Explore More

    News

    Ireland’s Central Bank Found Gaps in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Practices

    Ireland’s Central bank has found that certain financial firms are lacking in regards to anti-mone...

    Ireland’s Central Bank Found Gaps in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Practices 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

    Swedish Biggest Bank Hosts Active Account for PKK Terrorist Group

    According to a local media source, the most prominent Swedish bank, SEB (Skandinaviska Enskilda B...

    Swedish Biggest Bank Hosts Active Account for PKK Terrorist Group Explore More

    News

    Crypto exchange owner admits laundering $1.8M in online auctions fraud

    Vlad-Calin Nistor and 14 other accused, including the owner of a car wash, have all entered guilt...

    Crypto exchange owner admits laundering $1.8M in online auctions fraud Explore More

    News

    UAE Central Bank Fines Firm $490,000 for Violating AML/CFT laws

    The UAE’s Central Bank has charged a financial firm Dh1.8 million ($490,000) over breaching the c...

    UAE Central Bank Fines Firm $490,000 for Violating AML/CFT laws Explore More

    News

    Feds Bust Columbian Drug Cartel’s Scheme to Launder “Millions” Through US Banks

    A Columbian drug cartel’s scheme was busted by the federal prosecutors who moved millions through...

    Feds Bust Columbian Drug Cartel’s Scheme to Launder “Millions” Through US Banks Explore More

    News

    Lake County Attorney Launches a Financial Crimes Unit to Combat Fraud

    Lake County state’s attorney announced a new Financial Crimes Unit to deal with money laundering,...

    Lake County Attorney Launches a Financial Crimes Unit to Combat Fraud Explore More

    News

    Financial Watchdogs Flags Crypto Mixer Stoking as a Potential Risk For Money Laundering

    Cryptocurrencies are highly criticized by financial watchdogs and governments for potential risk ...

    Financial Watchdogs Flags Crypto Mixer Stoking as a Potential Risk For Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Fraudsters are all set to exploit Black Friday sales. Beware!

    Criminals are aware that at this time of the year, shoppers are looking for discounted deals and ...

    Fraudsters are all set to exploit Black Friday sales. Beware! Explore More

    News

    US Government to Establish New Corporate Transparency Act Regulations to Verify UBOs

    The US government is ready to change the process of reporting beneficial ownership. The final rul...

    US Government to Establish New Corporate Transparency Act Regulations to Verify UBOs Explore More

    News

    Singapore: MAS Preparing Data Sharing Platforms to Combat FinCrime

    The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is creating a digital platform named Cosmic that will a...

    Singapore: MAS Preparing Data Sharing Platforms to Combat FinCrime Explore More

    News

    Ghana Records $4.33m Financial Losses to Cyber Fraud in Q1’23

    Ghana suffered direct financial losses of US $4.33 million due to cyber fraud activities between ...

    Ghana Records $4.33m Financial Losses to Cyber Fraud in Q1’23 Explore More

    News

    SRA Fines Oxfordshire Law Firm over Weak AML Controls

    The SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) has charged £20,000 to an Oxfordshire law firm after id...

    SRA Fines Oxfordshire Law Firm over Weak AML Controls Explore More

    News

    Chinese Banks Promise To Step Up Cryptocurrency Ban

    Some of the biggest banks in China have promised to refuse help to customers that trade with Bitc...

    Chinese Banks Promise To Step Up Cryptocurrency Ban Explore More

    News

    North Korean Hackers Attempt to Launder ETH Worth $27M from Harmony Bridge Attack

    North Korean hackers behind the Harmony Bridge attack continue to attempt to launder crypto funds...

    North Korean Hackers Attempt to Launder ETH Worth $27M from Harmony Bridge Attack Explore More

    News

    UAE Court Convicted 13 Indian Nationals and 7 Companies for Money Laundering Offenses

    Thirteen Indian nationals and seven companies were charged with money laundering by the Abu Dhabi...

    UAE Court Convicted 13 Indian Nationals and 7 Companies for Money Laundering Offenses Explore More

    News

    Insurance and Pension Sector in Zimbabwe Progressing in Anti-Money Laundering Efforts

    Both sectors in Zimbabwe are prone to money laundering, and the first target of the authorities i...

    Insurance and Pension Sector in Zimbabwe Progressing in Anti-Money Laundering Efforts Explore More

    News

    $8M seized, Four Arrested for Money Laundering Activities Across Sydney

    The Sydney law enforcement authorities seized more than $8 million in cash and arrested four crim...

    $8M seized, Four Arrested for Money Laundering Activities Across Sydney Explore More

    News

    N26 Banned by Italian Central Bank for Insufficient Money Laundering Controls

    The central bank of Italy has banned German digital bank N26 from onboarding Italian customers af...

    N26 Banned by Italian Central Bank for Insufficient Money Laundering Controls Explore More

    News

    Gambling Commission Fines Entain £17m for Social Responsibility & Anti-Money Laundering Failures

    Ladbrokes owner Entain has been fined £17m by the Gambling Commission for social responsibility a...

    Gambling Commission Fines Entain £17m for Social Responsibility & Anti-Money Laundering Failures Explore More

    News

    UAE Issues $1.048 Billion Worth of Fines for Money Laundering & Terrorism Financing

    UAE’s Executive Office to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing has claimed to collect ...

    UAE Issues $1.048 Billion Worth of Fines for Money Laundering & Terrorism Financing Explore More

    News

    EU Plans for New Anti-Money Laundering Agency

    European Union’s anti-money laundering agency plans are being developed in detail. A memo dated M...

    EU Plans for New Anti-Money Laundering Agency Explore More

    News

    Singapore: MAS Preparing Data Sharing Platforms to Combat FinCrime

    The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is creating a digital platform named Cosmic that will a...

    Singapore: MAS Preparing Data Sharing Platforms to Combat FinCrime Explore More

    News

    Brazil to Introduce Facial Recognition to Verify People Wearing Masks at Airports

    Countries across the globe are taking necessary steps to introduce facial recognition at the airp...

    Brazil to Introduce Facial Recognition to Verify People Wearing Masks at Airports Explore More

    News

    UK’s National Audit Claims FCA Takes Slow Crypto Enforcement Actions

    The UK’s National Audit stated that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has all the rights to c...

    UK’s National Audit Claims FCA Takes Slow Crypto Enforcement Actions Explore More

    News

    Saskatchewan Government Invests $1.66m to Support Fight Against Money Laundering

    The Government of Saskatchewan is spending $1.66 million on the Civil Forfeiture Program to back ...

    Saskatchewan Government Invests $1.66m to Support Fight Against Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    UK’s Victoria Gate Casino Fined $613K over AML Failings

    The Source of funds for 10 customers were left unidentified by UK’s Victoria Gate Casino, resulti...

    UK’s Victoria Gate Casino Fined $613K over AML Failings Explore More

    News

    Estonia’s New AML/CFT Regulatory Regime Sparks 80% Downfall in Licensed Crypto Firms

    Since May 2023, Estonia’s updated crypto AML/CFT regulations have resulted in an 80% reduction in...

    Estonia’s New AML/CFT Regulatory Regime Sparks 80% Downfall in Licensed Crypto Firms Explore More

    News

    Betting and Gambling Council Host AML Training for Gambling Industry

    During the Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training day on September 6th, the Bettin...

    Betting and Gambling Council Host AML Training for Gambling Industry Explore More

    News

    UK’s National Crime Agency Builds a Specialised Crypto Investigation Team

    The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is planning to establish a professional team to ...

    UK’s National Crime Agency Builds a Specialised Crypto Investigation Team Explore More

    News

    Ransomware attack on insurance MSP Xchanging affects customers

    DXC Technology, a global IT solutions provider reported a ransomware attack to the US Exchange Co...

    Ransomware attack on insurance MSP Xchanging affects customers Explore More

    News

    Morocco’s Parliament Unanimously Approves the Bill to Amend AML Regulations

    The House of Representatives of Morocco has unanimously agreed to pass the bill to amend the anti...

    Morocco’s Parliament Unanimously Approves the Bill to Amend AML Regulations Explore More

    News

    PayPal is hiring crypto engineers amid rumors of Bitcoin integration

    Crypto and blockchain experts are being hired by Paypal as rumors circulate that the global payme...

    PayPal is hiring crypto engineers amid rumors of Bitcoin integration Explore More

    News

    Job Seekers Face Concerns of Identity Theft Through Fake Employment Scams

    Fake employment advertisements defrauded many job seekers with theft of money and personal detail...

    Job Seekers Face Concerns of Identity Theft Through Fake Employment Scams Explore More

    News

    Westpac to Pay Penalties Totalling $113 Million for “Poor Compliance Culture”

    Australian corporate watchdog imposed $113 million fine on Westpac bank for charging dead people ...

    Westpac to Pay Penalties Totalling $113 Million for “Poor Compliance Culture” Explore More

    News

    Nigeria’s Senate Passes Bill to Tighten Money Laundering Rules

    Nigeria’s Senate has passed a bill that is aimed at improving the country’s money laundering regu...

    Nigeria’s Senate Passes Bill to Tighten Money Laundering Rules Explore More

    News

    The UK’s largest mobile operator EE has announced its Digital Identity platform

    EE, the UK’s largest mobile operator has announced its new Digital Identity platform to protect c...

    The UK’s largest mobile operator EE has announced its Digital Identity platform 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

    Giaba Trains BDC Operators for Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing

    GIABA (Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa) has started a thr...

    Giaba Trains BDC Operators for Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing Explore More

    News

    Australia to Ban Credit Cards for Online Gambling to Prevent Payment Fraud

    The Australian government will soon ban online gambling with credit cards. The government will in...

    Australia to Ban Credit Cards for Online Gambling to Prevent Payment Fraud Explore More

    News

    New US Legislation Implemented to Enhance Supervision of Cryptocurrency Transactions

    US lawmakers introduced a new bill, the “Off-Chain Digital Commodity Transaction Reporting Act,” ...

    New US Legislation Implemented to Enhance Supervision of Cryptocurrency Transactions Explore More

    News

    Investment Scams Rising Through Fake Celebrity Endorsements

    Financial fraud through celebrity endorsement is becoming a primary concern as one in six firms o...

    Investment Scams Rising Through Fake Celebrity Endorsements Explore More

    News

    EU Court of Justice Passes Judgement Against Provision of AMLD5

    EU Court of Justice has passed a judgment against the provision of the AMLD5, concluding that pub...

    EU Court of Justice Passes Judgement Against Provision of AMLD5 Explore More

    News

    BitMEX Founders Admit Violating Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

    Two of the co-founders of crypto exchange BitMEX Arthur Hayes and Benjamin Delo have pleaded guil...

    BitMEX Founders Admit Violating Anti-Money Laundering Regulations Explore More

    News

    AUSTRAC Has Published a New Guidance For Detecting “Cuckoo Smurfing”

    AUSTRAC’s guidance offers indicators for financial institutions, to allow them to detect suspicio...

    AUSTRAC Has Published a New Guidance For Detecting “Cuckoo Smurfing” Explore More

    News

    EU Lawmakers Propose New Bill to Combat Money Laundering through NFTs

    Members of the European Parliament have proposed a new bill to increase scrutiny of the NFT and D...

    EU Lawmakers Propose New Bill to Combat Money Laundering through NFTs Explore More

    News

    Another COVID-related lure: Phishing Scam Targeting Email Users

    Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, email users are constantly warned against fraudulent emails and scams...

    Another COVID-related lure: Phishing Scam Targeting Email Users Explore More

    News

    US Senators Urge CISA to Incorporate Rules for Ransomware Reporting

    US senators have urged the CISA to enforce new ransomware reporting rules amid a sharp increase i...

    US Senators Urge CISA to Incorporate Rules for Ransomware Reporting Explore More

    News

    Janet Yellen, US Treasury Secretary to be, Prioritizes AML Regulations

    Janet Yellen, incoming Secretary of the US Treasury has announced that AML legislation is the mos...

    Janet Yellen, US Treasury Secretary to be, Prioritizes AML Regulations Explore More

    News

    COVID at EURO 2020 Reinforced the Need for Digital COVID Pass

    With 2 infected players infiltrating the entire stadium, many are fearing the spread of COVID-19 ...

    COVID at EURO 2020 Reinforced the Need for Digital COVID Pass 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