Anti Money Laundering News 18 Aug 2025

Anti Money Laundering News (11 Aug – 17 Aug 2025)

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Global AML News Weekly Digest. Here are the top stories making headlines around the world:

IMF Warns Pakistan Over Weak AML and Anti-Corruption Frameworks

The International Monetary Fund has raised concerns over Pakistan’s failure to effectively combat money laundering and corruption, warning of possible consequences if reforms stall. Its diagnostic report highlighted the underutilisation of beneficial ownership data, weak coordination among agencies, and systemic enforcement gaps that undermine anti-corruption efforts. The IMF urged Pakistan to establish a multi-agency working group and strengthen real-time data sharing to improve transparency and curb illicit financial activities.

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Liberia’s FIA Fines 50/50 Casino L$6m Over AML Failures

Liberia’s Financial Intelligence Agency has fined 50/50 Casino Inc. L$6 million (€25,000) for serious anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing lapses. An inspection revealed the casino lacked proper customer due diligence, risk-based compliance programs, and transaction monitoring systems, violating the 2021 AML/CFT Act. The casino has until November 1, 2025, to address the issues or face stricter regulatory action, underscoring Liberia’s push to strengthen oversight in its gaming industry.

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Upbit Operator Dunamu Pays $165M in Back Taxes Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

South Korea’s largest crypto exchange operator, Dunamu, has paid 22.6 billion won ($165 million) in back taxes after authorities accused it of tax evasion. The penalty, nearly a quarter of its Q2 profit, follows a tax audit by the Seoul Regional Tax Office. Dunamu is also battling sanctions from the Financial Intelligence Unit, which accused the firm of enabling illegal overseas transactions and AML violations. The company has contested the sanctions in court, where enforcement is temporarily suspended.

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Liberia’s FIA Fines Colony Casino L$10M for AML Breaches

Liberia’s Financial Intelligence Agency has fined Colony Casino L$10 million for major violations of the 2021 AML/CFT Act. An inspection revealed the casino had no internal compliance program, failed to appoint a Compliance Officer, and lacked systems to detect suspicious transactions, leaving it highly vulnerable to money laundering risks. The FIA has ordered the casino to submit a corrective Action Plan by September 1, 2025, as part of its broader crackdown on non-compliance in the gaming and financial sectors.

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BIS Proposes AML Compliance Score System for Crypto Tokens

The Bank for International Settlements has unveiled a new AML Compliance Score System designed to assess the risk profile of crypto tokens based on their transaction history. The framework assigns scores to tokens linked with illicit activities, potentially restricting their conversion into fiat on exchanges while preserving blockchain privacy. By shifting focus from user-level monitoring to token-level analysis, the system aims to enhance compliance without undermining decentralization. If adopted globally, it could encourage institutional trust in crypto, though challenges remain around accuracy, false positives, and cross-border implementation.

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Singapore Hands Over S$3B Money Laundering Assets to Deloitte for Liquidation

Singapore police have appointed Deloitte to manage and liquidate luxury assets seized in the country’s record S$3 billion money laundering case. Items include 466 luxury goods, 58 gold bars, Patek Philippe and Richard Mille watches, Hermes bags, and diamond jewellery, valued at over S$1.25 billion in non-cash assets. Ten foreigners convicted in the scandal were jailed, deported, and banned from re-entry. The case, which exposed weaknesses in banks, law firms, and property agents, has since triggered sweeping AML reforms, including stricter compliance laws and the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on AML.

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