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

    3.227.157.6

    FinCEN Pinpoints Bitzlato as “Primary Money Laundering Concern”

    FinCEN Pinpoints Bitzlato as “Primary Money Laundering Concern”

    FinCEN recognises Bitzlato Limited, a Hong-kong based virtual crypto exchange network, as a primary money laundering concern supporting Russian illicit Finance.

    The US Department of Treasury’s FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) has issued an identification order for Bitzlato Limited, a virtual crypto exchange platform, as a “primary money laundering concern” in alliance with illicit Russian finance.

    “Bitzlato poses a global threat by allowing Russian cybercriminals and ransomware actors to launder the proceeds of their theft,” said FinCEN Acting Director Himamauli Das. 

    “As criminals and criminal facilitators evolve, so too does our ability to disrupt these networks. We will continue to leverage the full range of our authorities to prohibit these institutions from gaining access to the U.S. financial system and using it to support Russian illicit finance.”

    In the issued order, FinCEN specified that Bitzlato is a financial institution operating outside the US which plays a crucial role in the laundering of CVC (Convertible Virtual Currency) through illicit transactions for ransomware running in Russia, including Conti.

    According to the order, Bitzlato offers P2P (Peer-to-Peer) services and maintains its significant operations connected to Russia and its Illicit finance network via the facilitation of deposits and funds transfers by ransomware groups or affiliates for transactions related to darknet markets. The FinCEN’s investigation found that these connections include, but are not limited to, transfers and transactions involving Conti and the Russian darknet market Hydra.

    Following Hydra’s closure in April 2022, the virtual exchange continued facilitating the trades for expanding Russia-connected darknet markets, such as BlackSprut and Mega.

    The move aims to enhance the US financial system through improved transparency by detecting illegal economic activity involving digital assets, including CVC. The action also indicates the use of available tools from the authority to target illicit financial activity and counter ransomware threats. FinCEN reports a majority of ransomware attacks from Russia, pinpointing Bitzlato as a part of a greater number of Russian cybercriminals allowed to operate with impunity in Russia. 

    Suggested Read:

    FinCEN Releases Final Rule to Implement Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements
    FinCEN to Expand GTOs on All-cash Real Estate Purchases to Stop Money Laundering
    FinCEN Calls in Bankers to Assess AML/CFT Risks in DeFi

    Related Posts

    News

    Jamaican Senate Approves Order to Combat Money Laundering

    The Jamaican Senate recently approved the Proceeds of Crime (DNFBPs)(TCSPs) Order, 2022, which is...

    Jamaican Senate Approves Order to Combat Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Cybercriminals Targeting Bitcoin ATMs to Launder Money – Says FBI

    The Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) revealed gaps in financial regulations as money laundering...

    Cybercriminals Targeting Bitcoin ATMs to Launder Money – Says FBI Explore More

    News

    Pakistan Launches Contactless Biometric Verification for Banking

    Pakistan has become one of the first countries in the world to implement biometric verification t...

    Pakistan Launches Contactless Biometric Verification for Banking Explore More

    News

    Uber joins lawsuits to exempt itself from California law

    California law effective from today, i.e. Jan 1 is all set to give equal protection to independen...

    Uber joins lawsuits to exempt itself from California law Explore More

    News

    Peru Set Rules For Virtual Assets Platforms Under Anti-Money Laundering Regime

    The Peruvian government ordered virtual assets service providers to report their activities to th...

    Peru Set Rules For Virtual Assets Platforms Under Anti-Money Laundering Regime Explore More

    News

    UK Gambling Commission Fines 888 with £9.4m for AML Failings

    Great Britain’s Gambling Commission has issued 888 with a fine of £9.4 million over a series of s...

    UK Gambling Commission Fines 888 with £9.4m for AML Failings Explore More

    News

    AUSTRAC Sues Star Casino for Alleged Anti-Money Laundering Breaches

    AUSTRAC has sued Star casino group with more civil penalties for doing business with ‘high-risk c...

    AUSTRAC Sues Star Casino for Alleged Anti-Money Laundering Breaches Explore More

    News

    Transparency International Declares South Sudan Second Most Corrupt Country

    In the East African region, South Sudan has been ranked as the most corrupt country in the world....

    Transparency International Declares South Sudan Second Most Corrupt Country Explore More

    News

    FATF Withdraws Switzerland From AML Enhanced Measures List

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Switzerland from the enhanced money-laundering com...

    FATF Withdraws Switzerland From AML Enhanced Measures List Explore More

    News

    UK Launches New Crypto Asset Promotion Rules

    The UK’s latest obligations on the promotions of the crypto service providers came into force thi...

    UK Launches New Crypto Asset Promotion Rules Explore More

    News

    Owner of RGCoins Rosen Iossifov Guilty of Crypto Money Laundering

    Iossifov was accused of two conspiracy counts; racketeering and money laundering. After a two-wee...

    Owner of RGCoins Rosen Iossifov Guilty of Crypto Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Vietnam Collaborates with UK to Enhance AML Law Enforcement

    The Vietnam Ministry of Public Security delegation, led by Deputy Minister Lieutenant General, Le...

    Vietnam Collaborates with UK to Enhance AML Law Enforcement Explore More

    News

    US Regulators to Sharpen AML Expectations For Crypto Sector

    The US regulators are increasing the AML compliance expectations within the crypto sector to ensu...

    US Regulators to Sharpen AML Expectations For Crypto Sector Explore More

    News

    Online Gambling Operator Penalized Over Failure to Meet Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

    Boylesports, an online gambling operation is facing £ 2.8 million in fines for violating the regu...

    Online Gambling Operator Penalized Over Failure to Meet Anti-Money Laundering Regulations Explore More

    News

    The UK Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register for Overseas Entities

    The implementation of the UK government’s Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill has ...

    The UK Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register for Overseas Entities Explore More

    News

    Cambridge University Hospital Breach Exposes Data of Cancer and Pregnancy Patients

    The Cambridge University Hospital admitted they mistakenly leaked over 22,000 pregnant women and ...

    Cambridge University Hospital Breach Exposes Data of Cancer and Pregnancy Patients Explore More

    News

    EU Money Laundering Overhaul Should Include NFT Platforms, Lawmakers Say

    The two crypto legislation adopted last week did not include unhosted wallets and decentralised f...

    EU Money Laundering Overhaul Should Include NFT Platforms, Lawmakers Say Explore More

    News

    Chinese Watchdog Taking Action Against Many in the Massive Bank Fraud

    The biggest bank fraud in China pushed the government to arrest hundreds of suspects. Regulators ...

    Chinese Watchdog Taking Action Against Many in the Massive Bank Fraud Explore More

    News

    Saudi’s SAMA Warns Clients of Upsurge in Financial Fraud

    SAMA urges clients to practice the highest degree of caution and prevents exposing any confidenti...

    Saudi’s SAMA Warns Clients of Upsurge in Financial Fraud Explore More

    News

    SEC Files Money Laundering Complaint Against Silverlion

    The Security Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a case against Silverlion Livestock Trading Corporat...

    SEC Files Money Laundering Complaint Against Silverlion Explore More

    News

    Customers warned of scams by the UK banking lobby amid COVID-19

    Banking customers should be aware of fraudsters who are exploiting the COVID-19 epidemic to carry...

    Customers warned of scams by the UK banking lobby amid COVID-19 Explore More

    News

    New European Legislative Proposals to Transform the Digital Platforms

    A new act is proposed by the European Commission to enhance digital spaces. A new set of rules ha...

    New European Legislative Proposals to Transform the Digital Platforms Explore More

    News

    Compliance Specialists Remind Letting Agents to Meet HMRC Deadline

    The real estate industry in the UK is being constantly reminded that the deadline for registering...

    Compliance Specialists Remind Letting Agents to Meet HMRC Deadline Explore More

    News

    Philippines Directs Efforts & Demonstrates Progress in Resolving AML Concerns

    The Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) has raised the Philippines’ rating from pa...

    Philippines Directs Efforts & Demonstrates Progress in Resolving AML Concerns Explore More

    News

    AML/KYC Non-compliance Penalties Drop by 40% in the Second Half of 2021

    KYC/AML non-compliance penalties have dropped by 40% in the second half of 2021. However, this do...

    AML/KYC Non-compliance Penalties Drop by 40% in the Second Half of 2021 Explore More

    News

    Hong Kong Customs Commissioner Urges to Enhance Supervision in Crypto Exchange

    Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Louise Ho Pul-shan, has urged to enhance the secu...

    Hong Kong Customs Commissioner Urges to Enhance Supervision in Crypto Exchange Explore More

    News

    UK Announces New Legislation to Regulate Crypto Assets Industry

    The UK’s government has developed its first legal framework for cryptocurrency trading and ...

    UK Announces New Legislation to Regulate Crypto Assets Industry Explore More

    News

    India and the United States Collaborate to Combat Financial Crime

    The US-India Dialogue on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism Financing, jointly chaire...

    India and the United States Collaborate to Combat Financial Crime Explore More

    News

    New Zealand to Introduce Digital IDs to Foster Trust in Online Transactions

    New Zealand is working towards a national law that would bring consistency to the country’s effor...

    New Zealand to Introduce Digital IDs to Foster Trust in Online Transactions Explore More

    News

    Deepfakes on TikTok raise new security concerns

    Deepfakes have started showing up on the popular video app TikTok, owned by ByteDance, a Chinese ...

    Deepfakes on TikTok raise new security concerns Explore More

    News

    Over $1 Billion Laundered Through Australia’s Pubs and Clubs Annually

    A joint report by media outlets has shown evidence of over AU$1 billion being laundered throughou...

    Over $1 Billion Laundered Through Australia’s Pubs and Clubs Annually Explore More

    News

    UK Parliament Legislates New Digital Identity Verification Services Bill

    On Wednesday, in the King’s Speech, the UK government presented a new Digital Identity Verificati...

    UK Parliament Legislates New Digital Identity Verification Services Bill Explore More

    News

    Cyprus Makes Progress in Implementing AML Measures

    There has been “slight progress” made by Cyprus in implementing anti-money laundering measures, b...

    Cyprus Makes Progress in Implementing AML Measures Explore More

    News

    FCA Issues Warning About 100+ Unregistered Crypto-asset Firms

    111 unregistered crypto-asset firms are operating from the UK. FCA warns consumers, banks, and pa...

    FCA Issues Warning About 100+ Unregistered Crypto-asset Firms Explore More

    News

    El Salvador’s Adoption of Bitcoin as Legal Tender Raises ML/TF Risks

    El Salvador has become the first country to accept Bitcoin as a legal tender.  On 8 June 2021, El...

    El Salvador’s Adoption of Bitcoin as Legal Tender Raises ML/TF Risks Explore More

    News

    FATF Report Highlights Weaknesses in South Africa’s AML Systems

    South Africa has a solid legal framework to combat money laundering and terrorist financing but h...

    FATF Report Highlights Weaknesses in South Africa’s AML Systems Explore More

    News

    Uganda at Risk of Getting Blacklisted by FATF Unless it Addresses 16 Issues

    Uganda is facing the risk of being added to a global blacklist for money laundering and terrorism...

    Uganda at Risk of Getting Blacklisted by FATF Unless it Addresses 16 Issues Explore More

    News

    B.C. Real Estate Company Fined $230K for Multiple AML Violations

    Nu Stream Realty Inc. has been fined $230,423 for failure to comply with federal Anti-Money Laund...

    B.C. Real Estate Company Fined $230K for Multiple AML Violations 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

    GFI Study Reveals Weak AML/CFT Measures in Latin America and the Caribbean

    The latest study by Global Financial Integrity (GFI) revealed that the Caribbean and Latin Americ...

    GFI Study Reveals Weak AML/CFT Measures in Latin America and the Caribbean Explore More

    News

    Ireland Campaigns to make Dublin the EU AML Authority Headquarter

    A team was established in the Department of Finance by the Irish government to campaign for Dubli...

    Ireland Campaigns to make Dublin the EU AML Authority Headquarter Explore More

    News

    SRA Fines a Law Firm £14,000 for Breaching ID Verification Regulation

    A business organization is being penalized £14,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) f...

    SRA Fines a Law Firm £14,000 for Breaching ID Verification Regulation Explore More

    News

    Lloyds Bank Charged with £500K Fine for Breach of Financial Regulatory Standards

    Lloyds Bank corporate markets jersey received a fine of £498,000 in relation to the dealings with...

    Lloyds Bank Charged with £500K Fine for Breach of Financial Regulatory Standards Explore More

    News

    Deepfakes on TikTok raise new security concerns

    Deepfakes have started showing up on the popular video app TikTok, owned by ByteDance, a Chinese ...

    Deepfakes on TikTok raise new security concerns Explore More

    News

    Isle of Man Urged to Take Further Steps to Counter Money Laundering

    The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering committee has again called for an extension in the ...

    Isle of Man Urged to Take Further Steps to Counter Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Amendments in Thailand’s Money Laundering Act to Include New Offenses

    A proposed amendment in Thailand’s Money Laundering Act was approved by the cabinet to include ad...

    Amendments in Thailand’s Money Laundering Act to Include New Offenses Explore More

    News

    Facebook affirms Libra commitment with new job openings

    According to the Irish Times. Facebook is planning to hire 50 people for its payment app Calibra ...

    Facebook affirms Libra commitment with new job openings Explore More

    News

    NYDFS Reminds BitLicense Holders to Follow Rules

    NYDFS (New York Department of Financial Service) has restated custody and disclosure requirements...

    NYDFS Reminds BitLicense Holders to Follow Rules Explore More

    News

    Hong Kong regulators looking into possible overcharging by brokers

    HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s financial regulators announced on Monday that they would analyze th...

    Hong Kong regulators looking into possible overcharging by brokers Explore More

    News

    Singapore Monetary Authority to Review Rising Card Scam Cases

    The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is reviewing the liability framework for card scams, gi...

    Singapore Monetary Authority to Review Rising Card Scam Cases Explore More

    News

    “Student” Occupation Flagged for Money Laundering in Canadian Real Estate

    Son of “wanted for defrauding 60,000 investors” Chinese parents laundered millions of dollars int...

    “Student” Occupation Flagged for Money Laundering in Canadian Real Estate Explore More

    News

    FCA Unveils Three-Year Anti-Money Laundering Strategy to Curb Financial Crime

    The FCA unveiled in its new report a three-year anti-money laundering strategy which includes a n...

    FCA Unveils Three-Year Anti-Money Laundering Strategy to Curb Financial Crime Explore More

    News

    Senate Reveals a 12-Year-Old Loophole Targeted by Americans to Cheat IRS

    Offshore tax loopholes are safe havens for wealthy Americans to cheat the Internal Revenue Servic...

    Senate Reveals a 12-Year-Old Loophole Targeted by Americans to Cheat IRS Explore More

    News

    Rise in Fraud from COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan Scheme

    Fraudsters are stealing the money around £400M from taxpayers in the UK through the support loans...

    Rise in Fraud from COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan Scheme Explore More

    News

    Hong Kong to Implement Background Checks for Accounting Students

    Police will carry out a detailed background check of the students that plan on pursuing accountin...

    Hong Kong to Implement Background Checks for Accounting Students Explore More

    News

    Banks Ordered by BSP to Enhance the Filing of Suspicious Reports

    MANILA, Philippines – In an attempt to ramp up its fight against financial crimes, the Bang...

    Banks Ordered by BSP to Enhance the Filing of Suspicious Reports Explore More

    News

    Shufti’s Age Verification Solution Approved by KJM

    Germany’s Commission for media, Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz (KJM), has approved Shufti’...

    Shufti’s Age Verification Solution Approved by KJM Explore More

    News

    HKMA Fines Four Banks with $5.7 Million for AML Failings

    Hong Kong’s financial regulator has imposed fines on four banks with a combined amount of $5.7 mi...

    HKMA Fines Four Banks with $5.7 Million for AML Failings Explore More

    News

    Star Entertainment Group Hit with Record Fine of $100M for Money Laundering

    Australia’s gambling giant Star Entertainment Group has been charged $100 million for failing to ...

    Star Entertainment Group Hit with Record Fine of $100M for Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Fintrac Warns Casinos of Gamers Paying with Bank Drafts

    Canada’s anti-money laundering agency is warning casinos to be cautious of customers who pay for ...

    Fintrac Warns Casinos of Gamers Paying with Bank Drafts Explore More

    News

    OSCE – Eurasian Forum Combines to Counter Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing

    The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) supported the joint efforts with ...

    OSCE – Eurasian Forum Combines to Counter Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Explore More

    News

    DISA is Working on a Digital Identity, Credential, and Access Management Tool

    According to Nextgov reports, the Defense Information System Agency (DISA) in the US has announce...

    DISA is Working on a Digital Identity, Credential, and Access Management Tool Explore More

    News

    China officially recognizes Blockchain jobs as a new occupation

    The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is modifying blockchain companies, and its effect is not always neg...

    China officially recognizes Blockchain jobs as a new occupation Explore More

    News

    SA Government Passes New Legislation to Avoid FATF Gray list

    South African government has passed two crucial legislations to prevent potential greylisting by ...

    SA Government Passes New Legislation to Avoid FATF Gray list Explore More

    News

    Saudi Arabia has Achieved Another Victory in the Battle Against Financial Crimes

    Saudi authorities seized $1.06 million from a criminal gang accused of money laundering. The culp...

    Saudi Arabia has Achieved Another Victory in the Battle Against Financial Crimes Explore More

    News

    ECB Releases Paper Revealing Financial Crime Risks in Cross-border Payments

    ECB has released a paper that reveals the financial risks associated with cross-border payments, ...

    ECB Releases Paper Revealing Financial Crime Risks in Cross-border Payments Explore More

    News

    FATF Withdraws Switzerland From AML Enhanced Measures List

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Switzerland from the enhanced money-laundering com...

    FATF Withdraws Switzerland From AML Enhanced Measures List Explore More

    News

    FinCEN and FDIC to Test the Effectiveness of Digital ID Verification Tools

    Two federal regulators – the FinCEN and FDIC have called for a ‘tech sprint’ to assess the ...

    FinCEN and FDIC to Test the Effectiveness of Digital ID Verification Tools Explore More

    News

    Deepfakes on TikTok raise new security concerns

    Deepfakes have started showing up on the popular video app TikTok, owned by ByteDance, a Chinese ...

    Deepfakes on TikTok raise new security concerns Explore More

    News

    24 scammers arrested on money laundering charges

    Government officials have arrested over 24 money laundering suspects due to an online fraud opera...

    24 scammers arrested on money laundering charges Explore More

    News

    Six Men Arrested in Hong Kong for US$22.4 Million in Fraud

    Hong Kong police crackdown on a crime syndicate and arrest six people involved in money launderin...

    Six Men Arrested in Hong Kong for US$22.4 Million in Fraud Explore More

    News

    Compliance Institute of Nigeria (CIN) to Up its Game in Addressing AML/CTF Gaps

    With threats of financial fraud emerging across the globe, the Compliance Institute of Nigeria (C...

    Compliance Institute of Nigeria (CIN) to Up its Game in Addressing AML/CTF Gaps 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