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Financial institutions, social media platforms and regulators are meeting to boost data sharing and collaboration to counter the international surge in fraud. Paul Cochrane reports on the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Americas 2024.

Fraud is on an upward trajectory, with an estimated USD1.03 trillion lost globally to swindles over the past year, according to the 2024 Global State of Scams report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and anti-fraud tech company Feedzai (1).…

Brazil, the world’s fifth largest country by land area, is preparing to use its abundant natural resources and major renewable energy sector to become the world’s largest producer of green hydrogen (H2V). However, with several challenges to overcome, its likely success is tough to predict, say local experts.…

Legal professions worldwide continue to push against being integrated within comprehensive AML/CFT/CFP systems, with their firms arguing that conducting CDD/KYC and reporting STRs undermines client confidentiality, a cornerstone of practising law.

FATF’s recommendations allow governments significant flexibility on when lawyers should report suspicious transactions, contrasting with tougher requirements for bankers, payment service companies, and non-financial professions such as accountants.…

Australia has long been a laggard in AML/CFT, despite being a leading developed democracy – but its current Labor government has finally bitten the bullet on reform.

In September, it proposed an Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Amendment Bill 2024 (1).…

New members of the European Commission have been proposed for the next 2024-29 term, starting November 1, with knitwear lobbyists facing experienced hands in the key trade and economy/de-regulation portfolios. Re-appointed Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has nominated Maroš Šefčovič, of Slovakia, as trade and economic security; interinstitutional relations and transparency Commissioner, for example.…

The Ghanaian government has welcomed an “unprecedented increase” in cocoa prices in the 2023/24 season of 129.36% year-on-year as the market responded to production declines worldwide – costing chocolate manufacturers dear. Ghana’s food and agriculture minister Bryan Acheampong said Ghanaian cocoa prices had risen from Ghanaian Cedi GHS20,928/tonne (USD1,325) and GHS1,308 (USD82.80) per 64kg bag in September 2023 to GHS48,000/tonne (USD3,030) or GH3,000 (USD190) per 64kg bag as the season wrapped last month (September 2024).…

Profiling fraudsters can hone anti-fraud responses, helping investigators short-list likely suspects for detailed evaluation – and with profiling research and experience expanding, the effectiveness of such approaches is sharpening.

Forensic accountant and fraud examiner Dave Oswald, who runs Canadian anti-fraud consultancy Forensic Restitution (1), said: “Fraudster profiling can provide valuable insights into the minds of those who commit these crimes, helping law enforcement agencies and organizations to prevent, detect, and respond to fraudulent activity.”…

With the global commodities market valued at USD121.2 trillion in 2024 and expected to generate USD136.8 trillion in 2029 (1), the scope for fraudsters to make money from this sector is vast. German statistical service Statista notes that commodities sales have latent augmentation, given that it all includes emissions trading systems expanding worldwide, along with energy products, food and drink, precious and industrials metals and more.…

Australia is set to establish one of the world’s largest renewable energy production centres, capitalising on the vast solar and wind resources of the remote Pilbara region of the state of Western Australia. The private initiative, currently led by BP, represents a significant step in the nation’s push toward renewable energy and its current goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, encouraged by the country’s centre-left Labor government.…

New members of the European Commission have been proposed for the next 2024-29 term, starting November 1, with paint and coating industry lobbyists facing experienced hands in the key trade and economy/de-regulation portfolios. Re-appointed Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has nominated Maroš Šefčovič, of Slovakia, as trade and economic security; interinstitutional relations and transparency Commissioner, for example.…