Greetings! It’s January 8, and we’re tracking today’s top stories: Cybercrime kingpin arrested and extradited to China, former TD employee in the U.S. pleads guilty to helping money laundering network, Trump has greenlit Russia sanctions bill, The Brutal Maduro Enforcer Standing in Trump’s Way in Venezuela, and much more…

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🎯 FEATURED STORY

Cybercrime kingpin arrested and extradited to China. In October, the U.S. Treasury Department and UK Foreign Office sanctioned Prince Group and dozens of its affiliates, designating them transnational criminal organizations. CNN

🔥 TOP STORIES

Former TD employee in the U.S. pleads guilty to helping money laundering network Financial Post

Trump has ‘greenlit’ Russia sanctions bill Politico

The Brutal Maduro Enforcer Standing in Trump’s Way in Venezuela WSJ

Trump's Venezuela oil play comes into focus Axios

From sanctions to seizure: What Maduro's capture means for Venezuela’s economy Fox

Oil ship seized by the U.S. over Venezuela sanctions was newly registered under Russian flag CNBC

How cocaine smuggling through Latin America really works NPR

Lahav 433, Tax Authority arrest seven for suspected extortion, money laundering, tax fraud Jerusalem Post

Korean Private Equity Billionaire Michael Kim Faces Arrest Warrant In Fraud Case Forbes

Brazil audit court chief says only Supreme Court can reverse Banco Master liquidation Reuters

Zadeh Kicks Owner Sentenced to Prison for $80M Bank Fraud Conspiracy U.S. Department of Justice

Ringleader of $250M Minnesota welfare fraud scandal ordered by judge to forfeit Porsche New York Post

California Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Steyer Funds Pro-Hamas Group Free Beacon

French judges alarmed by rumors of potential US sanctions Le Monde

🇻🇪 VENEZUELA

Iranian oil will make up for China's loss of Venezuelan supply Iran International

Venezuela’s rumored $60 billion Bitcoin ‘shadow reserve’ draws skepticism Fortune

Polymarket not paying bets on US invasion of Venezuela Guardian

Cubans brace for even more economic devastation amid threat of no Venezuelan oil NBC

🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA

$500M in Telegram Bonds Frozen in Russia Due to Sanctions Moscow Times

US Seizure Of Russian Tanker Puts Shadow Fleet On Notice Radio Free Europe

Texas officials warn residents not to open mysterious seed packets after over 1,000 land in mailboxes across the state Independent

Japanese PM’s Taiwan comments prompt China to ban certain exports to Japan CNN

💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME

Mississippi auditor warns welfare fraud is 'incredibly easy' as $77M trial begins Fox

Former Georgia lawmaker indicted on federal charges tied to pandemic unemployment benefits CBS

USSS card skimming operations prevent $400 million in fraud loss in 2025 U.S. Secret Service

US suspends assistance to Somalia’s federal government AP

Texas’ top 10 white-collar crime cases of 2025 Dallas Morning News

Japan Police to Ramp Up Steps against Laundering of Scam Money Nippon

Fraud and Corruption in SNAP Cato Institute

$1B fraud on the backs of North Texas car buyers Fort Worth Star-Telegram

🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER

This is what's (currently) in the way of U.S. crypto market structure bill harmony CoinDesk

Founder of spyware maker pcTattletale pleads guilty to hacking and advertising surveillance software TechCrunch

Fugitive wanted in connection with Desjardins data breach arrested in Spain CBC

Two Chrome Extensions Caught Stealing ChatGPT and DeepSeek Chats from 900,000 Users Hacker News

Jaguar Land Rover sales slump sharply amid US tariffs and cyber-attack Guardian

🚚 TRAFFICKING

Woman conceals red-lored parrots behind feet at border Border Report

Arlington police arrest more suspects in sex trafficking ring at Chicas Locas strip club CBS

Colombia to continue work with US on drug trafficking Reuters

California loses $160M for delaying revocation of 17,000 commercial driver's licenses for immigrants NBC

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