Article: Financial System Has Come to an End – Martin Armstrong

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Financial System Has Come to an End – Martin Armstrong

Greg Hunter, 24 July 2021

Legendary financial and geopolitical cycle analyst Martin Armstrong thinks we have come to the end of the line for the financial system, and this is why globalists are on a power grab of epic proportions.  Armstrong explains, “The system has come to an end.  They know they can no longer borrow indefinitely.  So, what is this “Great Reset’?

It is basically a move to redesign the world monetary system.  They are going to stop the borrowing that they are doing, and they are just going to print.  You also have this move for a digital currency.  Once they move to a digital currency, they can impose negative interest rates and just take money out of your account at will.  People don’t realize what this really is. . . . I believe Bitcoin was started by the government to get this whole ball going.  If I gave you a $100 bill, they don’t know where I got the $100 bill from.  However, if I give you that in Bitcoin, not only do they know I gave it to you, but they know where I got it from.  It can be completely traced all the way down.  That is a tax authority’s dream.  You have to understand what they are selling is really a totalitarian regime.”

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Article: U.K. Fraud Unit Finds Bribe Network Behind World’s Cobalt Hub

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U.K. Fraud Unit Finds Bribe Network Behind World’s Cobalt Hub

Michael Kavanagh, 15 July 2021

U.K. prosecutors have told Swiss authorities they have proof of an alleged money-laundering ring spanning from Africa to Europe that paid almost $380 million in cash bribes to authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Companies repeatedly bribed officials to further their business interests in the mineral-rich nation, according to the Swiss court judgment that cited information from U.K. prosecutors. Congo is Africa’s biggest producer of copper and supplies about 70% of the world’s cobalt, a critical input for the batteries that power electric vehicles. Continue reading “Article: U.K. Fraud Unit Finds Bribe Network Behind World’s Cobalt Hub”

Article: How the European Union Could Soon Force America into the ‘Great Reset’ Trap

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How the European Union Could Soon Force America into the ‘Great Reset’ Trap

Justin Haskins, 21 June 2021

In June 2020, the World Economic Forum — working alongside officials from large corporations, banks, financial institutions and activist groups — launched a far-reaching initiative that aims to push the “reset” button on the global economy. They ominously called it the “Great Reset,” and since its creation, it has received a massive amount of support from leaders of the ruling class, both here in the United States and around the world.

The Great Reset has two primary components. The first is an expansion of government programs, taxes and regulations, which together affect virtually every industry in the world, from oil and gas to health care and technology. Continue reading “Article: How the European Union Could Soon Force America into the ‘Great Reset’ Trap”

Article: True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Global Report Reveals that Costs Reached $213.9 Billion in 2021

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True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Global Report Reveals that Costs Reached $213.9 Billion in 2021

Omar Faridi, 15 June 2021

LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a global data and analytics firm, has published its annual True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Global Report.

The results shared in the new report have been prepared after conducting an extensive survey of 1,015 financial crime compliance decision-makers at established financial institutions such as banks, investment companies, funds managers, and insurers. Continue reading “Article: True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Global Report Reveals that Costs Reached $213.9 Billion in 2021”

Article: Vatican financial crime charges are due to lack of experience

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Vatican financial crime charges are due to lack of experience

daviddalpe, 09 June 2021

Rome – European evaluators said Wednesday the false belief that Vatican financial crime investigation and prosecution efforts not only suffer from understaffed and inexperienced, but also that their cardinals and bishops are unaffected by criminal activity. Warned that he was suffering from.

The Council of Europe’s Monetary Commission has issued a long report on the adherence to the Holy See to international norms for fighting money laundering and terrorist financing. Overall, the evaluator is good for the Holy See, recognizing that it complies with most standards, has taken steps to improve the law, and has achieved an effective level of international cooperation. Gave a rating. Continue reading “Article: Vatican financial crime charges are due to lack of experience”

Article: A long road for the FIAU: meeting Malta’s anti-money laundering commitments

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A long road for the FIAU: meeting Malta’s anti-money laundering commitments

David Lindsay, 09 June 2021

Earlier this week the Council of Europe’s MONEYVAL published a progress report showing significantly improved ratings for Malta in its fight against money laundering and terrorist financing from a technical perspective. Thursday’s report clearly acknowledged the progress made since Malta’s earlier evaluation, at times doing so quite openly when confirming that, “Malta was among the first MONEYVAL countries to implement the regulatory and institutional framework and conduct assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing risks in this area. Malta’s rating on the implementation of this recommendation has been upgraded from ‘partially compliant’ to ‘largely compliant’.”

The government has undertaken several key reforms in the wake of MONEYVAL’s report two years ago, including the bolstering of Malta’s regulatory authorities, introducing new laws and strengthening the police force’s arm responsible for investigating financial crimes. Continue reading “Article: A long road for the FIAU: meeting Malta’s anti-money laundering commitments”

Article: Global Stocks Slip as Inflation Remains in Focus

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Global Stocks Slip as Inflation Remains in Focus

Patricia Kowsmann and Xie Yu, 31 May 2021

Global stock markets were mixed Monday as investors wrapped up a month of trading dominated by concerns over inflation and the pace of the international economic recovery.

Trading was light with holidays in the U.S. and the U.K. S&P 500 stock futures were little changed Monday.

In Europe, Germany’s DAX index slid 0.2%, dragged by Deutsche Bank shares, which fell 1.6%. The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that the Federal Reserve told the bank in recent weeks that it is failing to address persistent shortcomings in its anti-money-laundering controls, according to people familiar with the matter. Continue reading “Article: Global Stocks Slip as Inflation Remains in Focus”

Article: Fed Warned Deutsche Bank Over Anti-Money-Laundering Backsliding

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Fed Warned Deutsche Bank Over Anti-Money-Laundering Backsliding

Patricia Kowsmann and Jenny Strasburg, 30 May 2021

The Federal Reserve told Deutsche Bank AG DB 0.40% in recent weeks that the lender is failing to address persistent shortcomings in its anti-money-laundering controls, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Fed’s frustration has escalated to a point that the bank could be fined, the people said.

Deutsche Bank has poured massive resources into addressing repeated shortcomings and penalties related to allowing suspect transactions. The Fed told Deutsche Bank that instead of making progress, the German lender with a large Wall Street presence is backsliding. The regulator has said that some of the anti-money-laundering control problems require immediate attention, according to the people. Continue reading “Article: Fed Warned Deutsche Bank Over Anti-Money-Laundering Backsliding”

Article: A Ticking Time-Bomb: Tirana’s Property Market Bubble Fueled by Money-Laundering

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A Ticking Time-Bomb: Tirana’s Property Market Bubble Fueled by Money-Laundering

Tirana Times, 25 May 2021

The average price of residential property in Tirana has more than doubled since 2017. In a recent study which compares price-to income ratio, the capital of Albania was put on par with Munich and Milan. But is it reasonable to view the pricing-out of most prospective homeowners from the market as a negative development? Not necessarily.

Soaring property prices in a specific market are linked to large accumulations of capital, which in a healthy economy come as the result of growth, and the attractiveness of that market to foreign and local investors. The frustration of prospective homebuyers and tenants in Tirana is shared amongst citizens of most European capitals. Continue reading “Article: A Ticking Time-Bomb: Tirana’s Property Market Bubble Fueled by Money-Laundering”

Article: Groundbreaking research provides insight into operations of Italian mafias across Europe

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Groundbreaking research provides insight into operations of Italian mafias across Europe

Michael Steward, 24 May 2021

A groundbreaking new report by researchers in Essex has provided the first analysis into the expansion of Italian mafias across Europe. The report, published by the University of Essex, highlights how criminal groups embed themselves in countries and operate across borders, and the challenges of policing mafia-type crime.

Using Italy as a starting point, the research focused on seven countries – the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Romania, and Switzerland. For mafia groups, territories outside Italy are places where they can consolidate certain business or venture into new ones. The report revealed how mafia groups operate very differently in each country. Continue reading “Article: Groundbreaking research provides insight into operations of Italian mafias across Europe”

Article: How to Combat Money Laundering in Europe

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How to Combat Money Laundering in Europe

Jesper Berg, 24 May 2021

Good luck finding a major bank in Europe that hasn’t breached money laundering regulations.

In Denmark, the two largest banks, Danske Bank and Nordea, are both currently subject to criminal investigations. BNP Paribas received the highest-ever fine in 2014, when it settled with U.S. authorities and had to pay $9 billion for sanctions violations. Many others — from HSBC and Standard Chartered in the U.K. to Deutsche Bank and UBS and Credit Suisse — have had to answer for offenses.

These cases show that living up to money laundering regulations is difficult, but not doing so is one of the biggest risks to a bank’s reputation. Banks and authorities share the same goal — to stop the bad guys — but both are struggling to find a way forward. While the European Union has proposed establishing a dedicated authority on the crime, company expenses to combat laundering are ballooning. Continue reading “Article: How to Combat Money Laundering in Europe”

Article: Police Across Europe Crush Ponzi Schemes, Recover Lost Money

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Police Across Europe Crush Ponzi Schemes, Recover Lost Money

ZDRAVKO LJUBAS, 18 May 2021

Authorities in Europe have dismantled several investment fraud schemes across the continent and recovered some of the money victims lost. Confiscation of proceeds from crimes is a strategic priority of the European Union, Europol said.

With the help of U.K. law enforcement and Europol, Spanish police recovered some of the over 15 million euro (US$18,2 million) hundreds of victims had lost in a ponzi scheme after a Spanish national living in the U.K. tricked them into making seemingly safe investments with high returns.

Police recovered about six million euro ($7,28 million) or some 40 percent of the money people invested, according to Europol. Continue reading “Article: Police Across Europe Crush Ponzi Schemes, Recover Lost Money”

Article: European police bust major online investment fraud ring

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European police bust major online investment fraud ring

Amer Owaida, 13 May 2021

Europol and several national law enforcement agencies have teamed up to take down an investment fraud and money laundering ring that caused losses of approximately €30 million (US$36 million) to hundreds of victims, according to a press release by the European Union’s law enforcement agency.

The investigation led to the arrest of 11 suspects and involved the search of dozens of locations across Europe and Israel with law enforcement officers seizing a range of ill-gotten gains including jewels, real estate, high-end vehicles and some €2 million (US$2.4 million) in cash. The effort was spearheaded by German law enforcement authorities and supported by their peers from Bulgaria, Israel, Latvia, North-Macedonia, Poland, Spain, and Sweden. Continue reading “Article: European police bust major online investment fraud ring”

Article: Danske Bank Watchdog Calls for EU Debate on Client Secrecy Rules

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Danske Bank Watchdog Calls for EU Debate on Client Secrecy Rules

Frances Schwartzkopff, 07 May 2021

The financial watchdog overseeing Danske Bank A/S says the European Union needs to re-examine the limits of client privacy if it’s serious about fighting money laundering and other forms of financial crime.

Jesper Berg, the director general of the Financial Supervisory Authority in Copenhagen, says Europe must acknowledge that the current bias toward bank secrecy means “substantially more resources” are being spent on trying to catch illicit transactions. It also adds to the risk that there’ll be “some money laundering we won’t get at.” Continue reading “Article: Danske Bank Watchdog Calls for EU Debate on Client Secrecy Rules”

Article: Regional Report – Netherlands: One of country’s largest banks, ABN Amro, pays nearly $600 million penalty for longstanding AML failings, lax risk ranking, missed reports on suspicious activity

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Regional Report – Netherlands: One of country’s largest banks, ABN Amro, pays nearly $600 million penalty for longstanding AML failings, lax risk ranking, missed reports on suspicious activity

Brian Monroe, 28 April 2021

Dutch authorities have hit the third largest bank in the Netherlands with a penalty of more than a half a billion dollars for longstanding failings in nearly every area of its fincrime compliance program, including lax customer risk scoring, shoddy alert investigations and missed reports of potential suspicious activity.

The Netherlands Public Prosecution Service (NPPS) has settled its probe into Amsterdam-based ABN Amro Bank for 480 million euros, or just less than $583 million, for falling “seriously short” of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program requirements and being considered “culpable” in aiding criminal groups in cleansing ill-gotten gains. Continue reading “Article: Regional Report – Netherlands: One of country’s largest banks, ABN Amro, pays nearly $600 million penalty for longstanding AML failings, lax risk ranking, missed reports on suspicious activity”

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