Former president and director of the Lourve from 2013 to 2021, Jean Luc Martinez, has been charged with fraud and money laundering in connection with Egyptian artifacts that were trafficked over the past decade. Questions: Under the French legal system, what is ahead for Mr. Martinez? What is Mr. Martinez’s current role? According to Le… Read more »
Posts Tagged: money-laundering
Have stolen money? London may be the place to put it!
According to Nicholas Shaxson, the City of London is hiding the stolen money of the world. Questions: What is the name of the new data leak exposing financial dealings by more than 330 politicians and public officials from over 90 countries and territories? In your own words explain why the offshore financial ecosystem is so… Read more »
Chinese giant Huawei, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker’s fraud exposed and charged by the U.S. Justice Department
According to the ACFCS News, federal prosecutors have charged a Chinese company, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker, a top official and two affiliates with fraud, money laundering, pilfering trade secrets, obstruction of justice and sanctions violations for hiding its dealings with Iran from partner banks. Questions: 1. How did these hidden dealings come to… Read more »
Are All Mugshots Created Equally? Depends on How Much They Are Worth!
According to Wired.com and ARS Technica, the California attorney general’s office charged four people with extortion, money laundering, and identity theft for their alleged involvement with the website Mugshots.com, which posts people’s mugshots, but will take them down for a fee. Questions: Questions: 1. Nationally, how much did the owners receive from people wanting their… Read more »
What a Heist!
Swift — the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication — is billed as a supersecure system that banks use to authorize payments from one account to another. However, last week, Swift announced that hackers had captured $81 million from Bangladesh’s central bank in February and that other similar heists have been attempted. Questions: 1. According… Read more »
Secret Buyers of Real Estate Targeted
In an unprecedented move, the Treasury Department will begin identifying and tracking cash sales of real estate in an effort to expose money laundering and secret buyers of high-end properties. Questions: 1.At which locations will the new initiative begin? 2. Is the use of shell companies legal in real estate? 3. How will the real… Read more »
Credit Unions for Pot?
Since medical marijuana was legalized in Colorado in 2001 and recreational marijuana was legalized a year ago, sellers have had limited, if any, access to banking services. As a result, a group of other entrepreneurs in Colorado want to start the first-ever financial institution established specifically to serve the pot industry. Questions: 1. What are… Read more »
The Big Wash Machine for Mexican drug cartels
Turning dirty cash from drug sales into clean, usable currency has become harder for Mexican drug gangs as a result of tighter banking regulations at home and in the U.S. However, the latest money laundering schemes are piggy-backing on cross-border trade. Questions: 1. What is a “suspicious activity report” filed by banks in the U.S…. Read more »
Catch 22: Money from Legalized Marijuana
Banks, including state-chartered ones, are reluctant to provide traditional services to legal marijuana businesses in Washington state and Colorado. Since the marijuana businesses are conducted almost entirely in cash, it is exceedingly difficult for these shop owners to open and maintain bank accounts, and ultimately accept credit cards. Questions: 1. Why won’t the banks open… Read more »
Did you know that cash absorbs the smell of marijuana?
John Davis, CEO of Northwest Patient Resource Center, runs two medical marijuana dispensaries in Seattle. In Washington state, Davis runs a legal enterprise that generates thousands of dollars each quarter in state tax revenues. However, since selling pot is still a federal crime and banks are regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, banks are… Read more »