Monthly Archives: July 2011

A smattering of elemental strategy

Posted on July 29, 2011 by

Yesterday the UK government launched its new organised crime strategy – I’m assuming it’s actually an anti-organised crime strategy, but you never know.  As is the nature of these strategy documents, “From Local to Global: Reducing the Risk from Organised … Continue reading →

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My laundry list

Posted on July 27, 2011 by

When I first started out in AML, I did it purely for love of the subject – I didn’t have a grand career plan, and indeed some people counselled me to widen my net and deliver training and advice on … Continue reading →

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The Mafia business

Posted on July 25, 2011 by

At the weekend I did the ironing in front of a recording of “Italy’s Bloodiest Mafia” – a documentary about the Camorra in Naples by reporter Mark Franchetti.  The programme focussed on the professionalism of the Camorra, and on the … Continue reading →

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Sure, you can pat him

Posted on July 22, 2011 by

You know your neighbour with that enormous dog, the one that snoozes quietly in the garden most of the time, but you’re warned not to turn your back on him “because he’s a bit unpredictable”?  Well, that’s the FSA.  They … Continue reading →

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The money laundering bloodhound

Posted on July 20, 2011 by

As you may know, I have a “Stop Press” page on my website (www.thinkingaboutcrime.com).  This is where I write up stories of money laundering relevance – usually tales of wicked money launderers, and news of significant legal developments.  When deciding … Continue reading →

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Are you qualified?

Posted on July 19, 2011 by

Quite properly, clients sometimes ask me what qualifications I have to do my AML work.  If they mean paper qualifications, the answer is none.  I actually trained as a schoolteacher – which I would recommend to anyone, as it teaches … Continue reading →

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The same old, tired old objections

Posted on July 18, 2011 by

I get a monthly magazine called “Business Brief”, which concerns business matters in the Channel Islands.  A regular columnist has this month devoted his page to an oh-so-familiar diatribe against money laundering checks.  You can read it for yourself by … Continue reading →

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On the bench

Posted on July 17, 2011 by

As if I don’t get enough law and order through my work, I am also a magistrate.  (For non-UK readers, the magistracy is a peculiarly English system by which untrained hobby-judges get to put people in prison in their spare … Continue reading →

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Thinking about crime

Posted on July 15, 2011 by

My company’s name (which started as a joke and sort of stuck) is Thinking about Crime.  About once a week I am asked which crimes I am thinking about, and I always answer “Financial crime – mainly money laundering”.  But … Continue reading →

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Baby steps

Posted on July 13, 2011 by

I was having a pedicure at the weekend – so yes, I do occasionally leave my desk and money laundering behind – and the foot-lady (pedicurist? peditherapist?) asked about my work.  I explained in simple terms about criminal money, and … Continue reading →

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