Tag Archives: beneficial ownership

Boxed into a corner

What else could I write about this week except the Pandora Papers?  The initial focus will be on the individuals named in the leak, but away from the gory headlines will be the real work: looking at the enablers.  The … Continue reading

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Registering my displeasure

When I was a schoolgirl, in the late Victorian era, BO had a different meaning: if some poor soul had BO, you flapped your hand in front of your nose and worked the word “deodorant” into your conversation with them … Continue reading

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Name and shame

We’re all used to lists and databases.  There are sanctions screening systems and PEP screening systems.  Within their organisations, MLROs have access to client databases.  And, to a greater or lesser extent, jurisdictions are getting on board with beneficial ownership … Continue reading

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Shady trade-y

Right at the start of my working life, just after the Industrial Revolution, I did one of those early personality tests.  I’m struggling to remember what it was called (something about umbrellas, or maybe anchors?) but it was meant to … Continue reading

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No, no, no to UWO, UWO, UWO

Most of us in the world of AML have welcomed the advent of the Unexplained Wealth Order – the court order introduced by the Criminal Finances Act 2017, which can be served to compel either a PEP or someone involved … Continue reading

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The law(yer) is an ass

AML efforts tend to move in one direction: more, greater, stronger, bigger – whatever the right adjective may be.  Occasionally we see an unwinding (as when many jurisdictions removed general insurance business from the AML family) but for the most … Continue reading

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Launderer seeks splendour without diminishment

It cannot have escaped your notice that Canada is in a lather about its real estate sector being used for money laundering.  Stories are appearing seemingly every day about some new scheme or other that has been uncovered, thanks in … Continue reading

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Cleaning house

Last week I attended an event at the elegant Whitehall premises of RUSI at which they launched “No Rest for the Wicked”, their report into what the UK’s next steps should be, now that we have (to quote the modest … Continue reading

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Voting for AML

I’m not a great fan of many of our current politicians – I’m sure you know why.  But I do like Angela Merkel, and in particular Tracy Ullman’s version of Angela Merkel.  And I have recently come to admire Elizabeth … Continue reading

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House of horrors?

With the acres of newsprint devoted in recent months to the topic of registration of beneficial ownership, it is interesting to consider the role of the registrars.  Companies – and other structures – are required to submit returns, and to … Continue reading

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