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Barclays Hit, Interactive Brokers Whacked, and Buddhist Blackmail

Illicit Edge - Edition for July 16, 2025

Hello! It’s July 16, and we’re tracking today’s top stories: Barclays fined millions over financial crime risk lapses, Interactive Brokers fined $12 million for U.S. sanctions breaches, Thai police arrest woman who seduced and blackmailed Buddhist monks, Russian university launches master’s program on sanctions circumvention, and much more…

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🎙️ Do not miss the latest episode of FinCrime Unfiltered with Sarah Beth Felix: WISE and Monzo Penalties + FinCEN'S Special Measures Illicit Edge 

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🎯 FEATURED STORY

Barclays fined millions over financial crime risk lapses. The FCA said Barclays "facilitated the movement of funds linked to financial crime" by providing services to Stunt & Co and said there was "an increased risk" of client money misappropriation or money laundering from its failure to check WealthTek. BBC

🔥 TOP STORIES

Interactive Brokers fined nearly $12 million for alleged US sanctions breaches OFAC

Thai police arrest woman who seduced and blackmailed Buddhist monks AP

Top Russian University Launches Master’s Program on Sanctions Circumvention Moscow Times 

Crypto Exchange BigONE Confirms $27M Hack, Vows Full User Compensation CoinDesk

How a Russian national laundered $530M in crypto via Tether Cointelegraph

Police in Haiti seize a ton of cocaine in a boat raid that leaves 3 suspects dead AP

America’s Biggest Rare-Earth Producer Makes a Play to End China’s Dominance WSJ

House GOP revolt slams brakes on GENIUS Act Axios

Trial starts for Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm in New York Block

Trump threatens countries that do business with Russia with 100% tariffs CBS

Europe gives Iran deadline to contain nuclear program or see sanctions reinstated Guardian

Lebanon Bans Banks From Dealing With Hezbollah 'Charitable Organization' Free Beacon

UAE Off EU Watchlist, Critics Say Reforms Fall Short OCCRP

Palestinian Terrorism, American Funds? WSJ

IN THE NEWS

🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA

Little-Known Microsoft Program Could Expose the Defense Department to Chinese Hackers ProPublica

Slovakia blocks EU move to impose new sanctions package on Russia Guardian

Nvidia Can Sell AI Chip to China Again After CEO Meets Trump WSJ

Utah forces China and linked companies to sell land FOX

Affiliate of Danish Company Helps Russians Export Grain From Ukraine OCCRP

Moldovan, Russian money laundering scheme uncovered in North Carolina ABC

🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER

Three key questions after Afghan data leak sparked unprecedented secret evacuation BBC

Crypto is top money laundering threat, warns new EU watchdog FT

Google says ‘Big Sleep’ AI tool found bug hackers planned to use Record

Federal IT contractor to pay $14.75M fine over ‘cyber fraud’ allegations Record

How 4 North Korean agents stole $900K from a US crypto startup and what you can learn from it Cointelegraph

💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME

Vitaliy Shabunin Case Sparks Concerns Over Corruption And Justice In Ukraine RFE

SEC ends Cognizant bribery case that the DOJ also abandoned Reuters

‘Professional gambler’ ran $9M Ponzi scheme in San Antonio Express News

Public officials exploited nonprofit to cash in on Amazon data centers, reap millions OregonLive

Debtors Who Failed to Disclose Foreign Assets Lose Bankruptcy Discharge DOJ

🚚 TRAFFICKING

Indonesia dismantles baby trafficking ring SCMP

German customs officials show images of tarantulas hidden in spongecake boxes after smuggling bust AP

Mexico urges US to curb drug traffickers and gun flows Semafor

Illegal border crossings hit decades low under Trump crackdown Axios

Pakistani Leader of International Alien Smuggling Organization Extradited from Mexico DOJ

Pakistani drones back, pushing drugs & guns into India Times of India

Hummingbird: Designed for the true heroes of the financial industry.

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