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In the second part of this two-part series focusing on Op MACHINIZE 2, panellists discuss how the operation went, the positive outcomes of law enforcement action, including reflections for future operations. This episode includes panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and Nationwide (representing the banking sector). Op MACHINIZE 2 was a multi-agency law enforcement operation focusing on money laundering through cash intensive businesses on the highstreet. Acronyms CBML – Cash Based Money Laundering ROCUs – Regional Organised Crime Units PCSOs – Police Community Support Officer For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/fZvFgkDI4hE

In the first part of this two-part series focusing on Op MACHINIZE 2, panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), Companies House, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the NCA’s data fusion team discuss the work that went into planning the operation. Op MACHINIZE 2 focused on money laundering through cash intensive businesses in the highstreet and this required a multi-agency approach with intelligence and coordination from multiple teams. Listen to learn how this was achieved. Acronyms ROCU – Regional Organised Crime Units SARs – Suspicious Activity Reports SOC – Serious and Organised Crime For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/fZvFgkDI4hE

In this episode, panellists from the NCA, Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and City of London Police (CoLP) discuss the fraud and corruption landscape in the UK and overseas, typical indicators of bribery and corruption and outline how their organisations are working to tackle these threats. This episode also features an opening introduction from Baroness Hodge, the government’s Anti-Corruption Champion. The guidance mention within this podcast which may be of interest to listeners can be accessed via the following links: Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences: update July 2025 (Jonathan Fisher KC Part 2 Review) – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-disclosure-and-fraud-offences-part-2-updates/independent-review-of-disclosure-and-fraud-offences-update-july-2025 Indicators of Foreign Bribery Guidance - https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/783-indicators-of-foreign-bribery/file Acronyms NGOs – Non-governmental organisations HMG - His Majesty’s Government REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust KC – King’s Counsel  FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation DPA’s – Deferred Prosecution Agreement AFP – Australian Federal Police PEPs – Politically Exposed Person MP – Member of Parliament NDA – Non-disclosure agreement For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/HtjRjcOqzFg

In this episode, panellists from the UKFIU, HMRC and a real estate agency address money laundering and suspicious activity in the real estate and letting agency sector. The podcast includes discussions of potential red flags for reporters in the sector and positive law enforcement outcome that have resulted from Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) HMRC have published guidance that may be of use to professionals within the real estate and letting agency sector. These can be accessed via the following link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-money-laundering-communication-resources?&utm_source=fiu&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=amls Acronyms NRA – National Risk Assessment For the subtitled version of this podcast episode go to: https://youtu.be/k_ISeiJisuY

In this episode, panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) and legal sector discuss the issue of Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF) in the legal sector, with a specific focus on legal professionals involved in conveyancing. This includes how PDF can impact the legal profession, and the collaboration and work of this sector and law enforcement in minimising and combatting this crime.   NECC PDF factsheet - https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/764-payment-diversion-fraud-infosheet   For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/zzPkLb_VXNQ

WARNING: This post contains references to child sexual abuse In this episode, panellists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and NatWest Group discuss Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) livestreaming. This includes the actions being taken by law enforcement and reporters to combat this crime, potential indicators, and how to report if you have suspicions of CSA or money laundering linked to CSA. For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/z_FVVGoZNok   Reporting child sexual abuse If you are concerned that a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999. Concerns of child sexual abuse should be reported to Police by calling 101. Under 18 year olds can also report online sexual abuse or grooming to the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Safety Centre: www.ceop.police.uk   Support services Under 18 year olds can talk to Childline confidentially, at any time, by calling 0800 1111 or chat online to a counsellor by visiting www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/ Adults who experienced sexual abuse as child and would like to talk to someone about it can contact the National Association for People Abused in Childhood on 0808 801 0331 or by visiting https://napac.org.uk Survivors UK runs the National Male Survivors Online Helpline – a webchat and SMS service for men, boys and non-binary people who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives. www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/ If you are concerned about your own sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviour towards children, speak in confidence to Stop It Now by visiting www.stopitnow.org.uk or contacting their confidential helpline on 0808 1000 900

In this episode, panellists from the UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) discuss the UK’s assumption of the CARIN presidency, the role of CARIN and the processes of UKFIU and CARIN in working with law enforcement in UK and CARIN member states. CARIN - Camden Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network ARIN – Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network FATF – Financial Action Task Force MLA – Mutual Legal Assistance ILOR – International Letter of Request UKCA – UK Central Authority For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/zZmPCR3jBtc

Episode 24 Organised Immigration Crime: Illicit Finance In this episode, panellists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) address the illicit finance angle of Organised Immigration Crime (OIC). Panellists explain the current threat picture, how Informal Value Transfer Systems (IVTS) play a role in enabling this crime and the actions being taken by the NCA to disrupt organised crime groups involved in OIC. Read the special OIC SARs in Action issue - https://bit.ly/465AS37  OIC - Organised Immigration Crime MSHT - Modern Slavery Human Trafficking  IVTS - Informal Value Transfer Systems  MLRs - Money Laundering Regulations KRI - Kurdistan Region of Iraq JMLIT – Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce MSB – Money Service Business For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibH5650JxXQ

In this episode, this issue of virtual squatting is discussed by panellists from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Companies House. Panellists address what is virtual squatting and the role it plays in economic crime, potential signs that professionals should be aware of, and the positive outcomes that resulted from public-private partnership. JMLIT – Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce ICAEW – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales SAR – Suspicious Activity Report EDD – Enhanced Due Diligence For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ORYT3HHqDg

In this episode, panellists from the Egmont Group and the UK Financial Intelligence Unit’s (UKFIU’s) International team discuss the role of international collaboration in combatting money laundering and terrorist financing. Egmont plays a key role in facilitating UKFIU cooperation with other Financial Intelligence Units and in turn, the UKFIU aims to contribute to the success of the group. Topics discussed include an overview of the structure and role of the Egmont group by the group’s chair, Elżbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz, the projects the UKFIU has been involved in, and the future strategic goals of the Egmont Group. AML – Anti-Money Laundering CFT – Combatting Financing for Terrorism EC – Egmont Committee ECOFEL - Egmont Centre of FIU Excellence and Leadership EGS - Egmont Group Secretariat ESW – Egmont Secure Web For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_3HOAfK-g4

In this episode, our panellists discuss the issue of professional enablers. Jacquie Griffiths (OPBAS), Edgars Pastars (Finance Latvia Association), and Tommas Kaplan (von Poll Immobilien) provide an overview of the challenges sectors encounter and their views on what professionals should consider when de-risking. This includes examples from their own work when encountering those attempting to launder the proceeds of crime and their response to avoid becoming a professional enabler. AML – Anti-Money Laundering CFT – Combatting the Financing of Terrorism OPBAS – Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision FATF – Financial Action Task Force DNFBPs – Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions FIU – Financial Intelligence Unit PBS – Professional Body Supervisor For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HObWhq7zGws

In this episode, panellists discuss the recent work that has been done on illicit company formation activity and transformations to Companies House following legislative changes. These representatives from the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), Companies House, and private sector members of the NECC’s public private partnerships share their perspectives on this work, including its relation to Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).   Please note the figures provided by Companies House were accurate at the time of recording.   TCSP – Trust or Company Service Providers SAR – Suspicious Activity Reports PPP – Public-Private Partnership BAU – Business As Usual For a subtitled version of this episode visit: https://youtu.be/58ClkXN7I60

In this episode our panel of legal experts discuss key considerations and challenges facing legal professionals when it comes to anti-money laundering (AML) and suspicious activity reporting. The legal sector covers everything from large global firms down to sole practitioners and our panellists discuss key money laundering threats, risk areas and the indicators which firms and sole practitioners should be looking for. For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/FztrHRW0-7U   SRA – Solicitor’s Regulation Authority MLRO- Money Laundering Reporting Officer AML – Anti-money laundering WTW – Willis Towers Watson FCA – Financial Conduct Authority CDD – Customer Due Diligence OFSI – Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation   Further information can be found here: https://sra.org.uk/aml https://sra.org/sanctions https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/regulation-and-compliance/financial-compliance/anti-money-laundering/ https://www.lawscot.org.uk/news-and-events/law-society-news/aml-thematic-review-of-suspicious-activity-reports/ https://lawsociety.org.uk/topics/anti-money-laundering/ https://wtwco.com/en-gb

In part two of our Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) episode, our panellists discuss the impact on economies, biodiversity and legitimate wildlife trade. They also talk about predicate crimes associated with IWT and the importance of international co-operation, such as that garnered during Project Anton, in tackling it. Information regarding the Statement of Principles, announced by the Prince of Wales at the United for Wildlife Global Summit in November, can be found here: https://unitedforwildlife.org/news/international-statement-of-principles-announced For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/aLQzDjlxApg

In part one of our episode on the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT), we are joined by panellists from Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) and the UK’s National Wildlife Crime unit (NWCU). Our panellists discuss the roles of their organisations and outline the differing threats between their respective countries, but highlight the similar typologies used by serious organised crime groups. Reporters can access key messages and information on IWT related SARs using the following link: https://fintrac-canafe.canada.ca/intel/operation/oai-wildlife-eng For the subtitled version of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/TRM4kvKaypQ?si=C6USuBOOJ-bbTCPz