The Isle of Man Government has released a detailed Money Laundering Risk Assessment for its banking sector as part of its broader National Financial Crime Strategy 2024–2026. The newly published report outlines a concerning increase in the overall money laundering risk rating — rising from medium to medium-high — and identifies several issues with potential relevance to the island’s regulated gambling and financial services industries....
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Laws
September 23, 2025
Real estate flagged as high-risk money laundering channel
Most experts agree that the real estate sector has increasingly become a high-risk channel for money laundering activities. This vulnerability stems from its substantial financial transactions, anonymity in property ownership,...
NEWS Malta
September 2, 2025
Malta Asset Recovery Bureau faces major challenges
The Asset Recovery Bureau (ARB) in Malta, established under the political oversight of Justice Minister Jonathan Attard, is a pivotal institution in the country’s fight against financial crime. Tasked with...
NEWS Malta
August 23, 2025
Ali Sadr ICSID Case: Malta Faces Legal Battle Over Pilatus Bank
The ongoing legal dispute surrounding Pilatus Bank, a Maltese financial institution that was shut down amid allegations of money laundering, continues to capture international attention. Ali Sadr Hasheminejad, the bank’s...
NEWS Malta
August 22, 2025
Francine Farrugia faces court over MCAST payroll fraud case
Francine Farrugia, formerly employed as a manager in the salaries department at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), appeared before the court on Thursday facing allegations of...
Editor’s Choice 1, Laws
August 14, 2025
Gibraltar Oversight Fails in Fiduciary Trust al-Assad Case
Gibraltar regulators face scrutiny for ignoring Fiduciary Trust’s role in the al-Assad money-laundering scandal.
NEWS Malta
August 11, 2025
Christian Borg case sees €52m asset freeze amid fraud charges
The high-profile criminal proceedings involving Christian Borg, a 31-year-old businessman facing multiple serious charges, have taken a new turn. Borg, together with his partner, 27-year-old Monique Mizzi, has had the...
Laws
July 1, 2025
EU Launches Centralized AML Authority to Combat Crime
With the increasing complexity of financial crimes, the European Union is establishing a new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) authority aimed at enhancing regulatory oversight across member states. This centralized body gained...
Laws
June 20, 2025
Do Cross-Border Investigations Ever Lead to Sanctions?
There's a growing interest in understanding the implications of cross-border investigations, particularly regarding whether they can result in sanctions against individuals or entities involved in illicit activities. As international cooperation...
Accounting, Finance News
June 20, 2025
Malta’s Accounting Firms and Offshore Fraud Risks
With Malta emerging as a popular hub for offshore financial activities, its accounting firms have become key players in facilitating questionable practices that often skirt the boundaries of legality. This...
Finance News, Licenses & Payments
June 20, 2025
Unlicensed payment agents funnel cash through Malta
It's becoming increasingly evident that unlicensed payment agents are exploiting Malta's financial landscape to facilitate the movement of illicit funds. This blog post will explore how these agents operate, the...
Banking
June 18, 2025
Malta Banks and Offshore Payment Shells
Many individuals and businesses seeking financial privacy have turned to Malta's banking system, which, over the years, has become synonymous with offshore payment shells. This blog post investigates into the...
Finance News, Licenses & Payments
June 16, 2025
Malta’s quiet role in cross-border payment laundering
Just as Malta has positioned itself as a hub for financial services, it has also gained notoriety for its understated yet significant involvement in cross-border payment laundering. This blog post...
Finance News, Laws
June 14, 2025
Why the FIAU rarely escalates findings to prosecution?
With the rise in financial crime and the increasing scrutiny of regulatory bodies, understanding the reasons behind the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit's (FIAU) infrequent escalation of findings to prosecution is...
Banking, Finance News
June 12, 2025
The Malta banks enabling shadow transactions abroad
Shadow banking activities have increasingly drawn attention to the role of Malta's financial institutions in facilitating opaque transactions beyond its borders. With a favorable regulatory environment, these banks provide avenues...
Editor’s Choice 1, Laws
June 11, 2025
Gibraltar’s Role in Undermining Brexit Transparency!
Despite FATF delisting, Gibraltar's iGaming sector and judiciary raise ongoing concerns about transparency and enforcement.
Laws, Licenses & Payments
June 10, 2025
Why Malta’s Payment Startups Raise AML Red Flags
It's necessary to understand the growing concerns surrounding Malta's payment startups and their potential implications for anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Despite Malta's reputation as a financial hub, several emerging payment...
iGaming News, Laws
June 3, 2025
Can FATF Pressures Really Curb iGaming Laundering?
iGaming presents unique challenges in combating financial crime, particularly in relation to money laundering activities. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plays a pivotal role in establishing global standards and...
Finance News, Laws
June 2, 2025
KYC Compliance Challenges in Malta’s Crypto Industry
KYC, or Know Your Customer, is a fundamental process designed to verify the identities of clients to prevent fraud and illicit activities. Despite regulations aimed at enhancing transparency, many cryptocurrency...
Finance News
May 30, 2025
Why Malta remains a magnet for grey-zone finance?
Malta has emerged as a prominent hub for grey-zone finance, with its favorable regulatory landscape and attractive tax policies drawing both legitimate businesses and less scrupulous entities. The island's strategic...
NEWS Malta
May 26, 2025
Former Muscat allies try to rewrite their political past
In a discreet corner of a restaurant in Malta, two high-profile individuals—Brian Tonna and Marvin Gaerty—were overheard having a conversation that many found both revealing and opportunistic. Tonna, the disgraced...
Finance News, Laws
May 15, 2025
Unmasking Malta’s Beneficial Ownership Reporting Gaps
Reporting on beneficial ownership is important for transparency in corporate governance, yet Malta's systems reveal significant gaps that challenge this objective. Despite recent regulatory efforts aimed at enhancing public accountability,...
Laws
May 15, 2025
Malta Company Registry Faces Transparency Challenges
Many investors and stakeholders are increasingly concerned about the transparency of Malta's company registry, which still obscures the true ownership behind corporate entities. Despite ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory frameworks,...
iGaming News, Laws
May 6, 2025
Europe Tightens AML Enforcement with €36m in Fines
In a year marked by increased vigilance and rigorous enforcement, European regulators have intensified their efforts to combat money laundering, targeting payment and e-money firms that fall short in implementing...
iGaming News, Laws
April 22, 2025
UKGC addresses AI risks in money laundering detection
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has sounded the alarm over the increasing dangers of money laundering within the online gambling sector, particularly driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology....
Laws
April 22, 2025
Malta struggles to clarify ownership disclosure laws
Grey zones often indicate ambiguity, and in Malta, significant uncertainties surround beneficial owner declarations. This complex framework poses challenges for compliance and regulatory clarity, as the definitions and implications of...
Finance News
April 14, 2025
Risks of Payment Agents in Financial Crime Networks
Just as the digital landscape evolves, so do the techniques employed by financial criminals, with payment agents playing a significant role in these networks. These intermediaries facilitate transactions, often without...