Category: Sanctions

US against Austrian RBI and Oleg DerispaskaI
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January 21, 2025

Investor Briefing: Russian Court Judgment in STRABAG Case Heavily Impacting the Austrian RBI!

A recent €2 billion judgment by a Russian court against the shareholders of Austrian construction giant STRABAG, including Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), has sent shockwaves through financial markets. The ruling, which implicates RBI's Russian subsidiary in a contentious legal dispute with Rasperia, raises significant concerns about the bank's exposure to Russian liabilities amidst ongoing Western sanctions.
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Tornado Cash wins appeal in the USF
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November 27, 2024

Fifth Circuit Deals Blow to OFAC Overreach: Tornado Cash Smart Contracts Not “Property”!

In a remarkable ruling, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) overstepped its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash’s immutable smart contracts. The decision reverses a lower court ruling, offering a significant win for privacy advocates and blockchain developers.
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Russian oligarach Alisher UsmanovG
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November 4, 2024

German Prosecutors Drop Money Laundering Probe Against Russian-Uzbek Billionaire Alisher Usmanov – A Victory for Reputation?

In an interesting development amid the Western sanctions against Russia, German prosecutors have dropped a high-profile money laundering case against Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov. This decision, claimed by his legal team as a vital step in clearing Usmanov's name, follows over two years of investigation without sufficient evidence to support the accusations.
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Russian oligarch Roman AvdeevR
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November 1, 2024

Russian Billionaire Avdeev Sells Out for Family Focus – Leaves Russia and Business Behind

Russian billionaire Roman Avdeev has exited his Russian business ventures to prioritize family time with his 23 children. Selling his stake in Rossium Group to Sergei Sudarikov, a prominent Russian entrepreneur and financial services expert, Avdeev marks a complete departure from Russian assets, declaring a shift to personal pursuits over corporate ambitions.
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Russian broker Quotex attacks European consumersU
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October 30, 2024

Ukraine Slams FATF Decision to Keep Russia Off Anti-Money Laundering Blacklist!

Ukraine has expressed sharp disappointment following the FATF's refusal to blacklist Russia, calling it a "fracture" in the global anti-money laundering system. Kyiv’s demand for tougher financial scrutiny over Russia has once again hit a wall due to a split among member states. Perhaps the international community will come to its senses and seek solutions instead of aggression.
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Russian oil tanker in a harbor at nightG
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October 28, 2024

G7 Takes Aim at Russia’s Sanctions Evasion Tactics with New Measures!

The G7 finance ministers pledge new actions to counter Russian sanctions evasion, particularly in response to oil price cap violations and the use of shadow fleets. This meeting follows ongoing concerns over Russia’s tactics to circumvent financial restrictions. According to the U.S. OFAC, Russian financial institutions have developed a network of foreign subsidiaries to facilitate the purchase or sale of sanctioned goods.
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FATF blacklisting of Russia expectedT
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October 22, 2024

The question: Will the FATF blacklist Russia today?

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization that sets global standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Ukraine is currently advocating for Russia's inclusion on the FATF blacklist, citing the country's ongoing aggression and financial misconduct. At the FATF meeting on Oct. 22, 2024, blacklisting Russia is on the topic.
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Cryprus is a hub for Russian money launderingJ
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October 20, 2024

Jamestown Perspective: Cyprus and its Role as a Hub for Russian Influence and Financial Misconduct!

New research by The Jamestown Foundation confirms FinTelegram findings: Over the last 30 years, Cyprus has emerged as a critical nexus for Russian influence, money laundering, and sanctions evasion. This situation poses significant challenges for compliance professionals and financial institutions worldwide. The EU has not yet undertaken any severe measures to address these challenges.
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Russian CBR and the new crypto regulationR
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September 8, 2024

Russia’s New Crypto Strategy for Sanctions Evasion

Russia’s new crypto laws, allowing mining and international payments in digital currencies, are part of a broader strategy to evade Western sanctions and reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar. This move, led by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR), opens up new compliance risks for global financial institutions dealing with Russian entities. The new laws are set to take effect in September for cross-border payments and in November for crypto mining.
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Russian Banker Andrei KostinS
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September 8, 2024

Secretive Cyprus Funds Used to Obscure Megayachts and Real Estate Linked to Sanctioned Russian Banker

A recent OCCRP investigation revealed that Cyprus-registered RAIFs were used to hide megayachts and real estate linked to sanctioned Russian banker Andrei Kostin. These secretive funds, managed by Inveqo, allowed clients to avoid disclosing their ownership, raising concerns about the effectiveness of sanctions and regulatory enforcement. The case highlights the challenges of ensuring transparency and preventing financial crime in the global investment landscape.
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US DOJ charges Russian TV presenter Dimitri Simes and his wife Anastasia over money launderingR
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September 6, 2024

Russian TV Presenter Charged with Sanctions Violations and Money Laundering!

Dimitri Simes, 76, a Russian-born U.S. citizen and former adviser to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, and his wife Anastasia Simes, 55, have been charged by the U.S. government for violating sanctions and engaging in money laundering activities. The charges stem from his work with Channel One Russia, a state-controlled television network that was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022.
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Crypto payment processor Payeer and its network of individuals and legal entitiesU
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July 11, 2024

Updated Review: Lithuanian FCIS Findings Confirm FinTelegram’s Reports on Payeer’s Russian Connections and Money Laundering!

As reported previously, the Lithuanian Financial Crime Investigation Service (FCIS) has imposed a record fine on the payment processor Payeer, totaling nearly €9.3 million, for significant breaches of international sanctions and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. This development corroborates FinTelegram's previous investigations into Payeer's Russian connections and its role in laundering money for scammers, further solidifying FinTelegram's reputation as a leading financial intelligence provider.
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