Greetings! It’s the 4th of July, and we’re tracking top stories to take you through the weekend: How global scammers use U.S. tech to fleece people, Chinese National Indicted for Running Sex Trafficking Operation in Boston, Bank of Russia governor says 'everything is ready' for widespread use of digital ruble ahead of September rollout, What to Know About How Iran Uses China’s Currency to Weaken U.S. Power, and much more…

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🎯 FEATURED STORY

Four days to make victims fall in love: How global scammers use US tech to fleece people. Online, Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, who was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar, impersonated a 28-year-old Singaporean woman named Ella. Associated Press

🔥 TOP STORIES

Chinese National Indicted for Running Sex Trafficking Operation in Boston Justice Department

Bank of Russia governor says 'everything is ready' for widespread use of digital ruble ahead of September rollout The Block

What to Know About How Iran Uses China’s Currency to Weaken U.S. Power Wall Street Journal

Romanians sentenced in London for Iran-directed attack on journalist Financial Times

How drug gangs use social media to recruit Thai air crew as couriers Reuters

FBI Seizes NetNut Proxy Platform, Popa Botnet KrebsOnSecurity

US Department of Homeland Security says it is probing a cyber breach at information-sharing network Reuters

Chemical weapons: EU sanctions six individuals involved in Navalny’s poisoning and death Council of the European Union

Ukrainian suspect hunted by police after Monaco bomb attack was 'disguised as a man' BBC

Alexis Podesta, the ultimate Dem insider, rose through California politics – then wore an FBI wire New York Post

US sanctions hindered Brazil probe into alleged drug gang associate Reuters

Suspected Crypto Terror-Financing Network Uncovered in Kosovo Balkan Insight

Inside a $1.5B Laundering Suspect’s Secret Subpoenas Project Brazen

Canada’s electronic spy agency conducted cyberattacks on criminals brokering fentanyl ingredients The Globe and Mail

Insiders Made $100 Million on China Brokerage Crackdown Wall Street Journal

🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA

Russia lures African soldiers to deadly front in Ukraine PBS

Russian Economic Outlook Most Negative in 20 Years Gallup

Former Rosaviatsia Chief Charged With Fraud Moscow Times

EU Will Weigh Irish Probe in Russian Alumina Sanctions Decision Bloomberg

Italy joins Bulgaria in resisting EU sanctions against Putin ally Patriarch Kirill Politico

Russian Army General Arrested on Fraud Charges Moscow Times

🚀 SANCTIONS

With US sanctions temporarily lifted, is Iranian crude back on the menu? Atlantic Council

Former Iran director at NSC: Crypto legislation is a ticket to sanctions evasion Fortune

EU targets Russian drone-makers with sanctions following massive strikes on Kyiv Euronews

How Trump’s Understanding With Iran Echoes Obama’s 2015 Nuclear Deal FDD

Zelensky Demands Severing of Russian Supply Chains; Targets Irish Refinery OCCRP

💥 TERROR

The End of Hamas: And the Convenient Fiction of Continued Menace Foreign Affairs

US withdraws troops from Nigeria after Islamic State mission BBC

A New Chapter, Same Stalemate: Somalia’s War with Al-Shabaab International Crisis Group

Iran may have ‘directed’ recent attacks in Canada, intelligence report says Global News

Who are Chone Killers? Ecuadorian gang designated as terrorist group Newsweek

Nelson teenage Islamic extremist jailed over gun attack plot BBC

💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME

Why Corruption Persists in Uzbekistan’s Water Sector The Diplomat

Feds seek lower prison term for $100M New Jersey deli fraudster — but some reasons why are hidden CNBC

Two jailed for Sembcorp Marine bribery attempt Straits Times

Democrats accuse Trump-linked fundraisers of fraud over diverted donations for America's anniversary Associated Press

Indonesia’s free meals corruption probe extends to police, military officers Bloomberg

🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER

More Espionage than Firepower: The Right Analogue for Understanding Cyber Operations Modern War Institute

Woman loses savings to AI-powered romance scam featuring intimate video calls with deepfake 'Dubai prince' New York Post

FATF’s Fraud Roadmap Expands Data Risks And Global Surveillance Forbes

Australia clears Sportsbet after anti-money laundering remediation Reuters

EU Enters MiCA Enforcement Phase for Crypto Companies Cointelegraph

🚚 TRAFFICKING

Italy condemns hospital security over fentanyl theft Reuters

Pakistan syndicate allegedly smuggled human placentas, say police BBC

Eurojust-supported joint investigation leads to Ireland's first convictions for labour trafficking Eurojust

A Second Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 96 Months for Fentanyl Analogue Distribution and Money Laundering Conspiracies Justice Department

Mexican Drug Supplier Pleads Guilty to Trafficking More than 170 Pounds of Cocaine in Metro Atlanta DEA

Border agents uncover $3.7M in cocaine masquerading as a cucumber delivery Fox News

“To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that was ever accorded to the human race.” —Calvin Coolidge

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