Tag Archives: suspicion

From little acorns

Posted on September 18, 2019 by

Apologies for the confusion at the start of my blog post on 4 September: I was not back at all, but actually watching elephants swimming in Botswana.  I wrote a couple of posts in advance, to cover my absence, and … Continue reading →

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Rock and roll lifestyle

Posted on May 22, 2019 by

I don’t often use this blog simply to repeat money laundering stories that are already in the press but some are just too good to ignore.  May I introduce you to Paul Bettie.  He’s sixty-five now, but back in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Money laundering, Organised crime | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Inside the tent but still p***ing in

Posted on May 8, 2019 by

In my guise as a magistrate I have become familiar with a thrilling document called the “Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines”.  It’s an entirely public, well, publication, as justice is meant to be transparent and accessible to all.  And if you … Continue reading →

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Purple, portable and prized

Posted on March 20, 2019 by

Cash is an odd thing: like the Cheshire Cat in Wonderland, it periodically disappears and then once again reappears.  In my next blog post I will talk about disappearing cash but this week I want to tell you about Switzerland, … Continue reading →

Posted in AML, Money laundering | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Cut on the bias

Posted on March 13, 2019 by

We’re all biased – there’s no getting away from it.  My own particular unfair bias is against taxi drivers; as a cyclist I have been sworn at, side-swiped and (once) squeezed with my bike against the back of a lorry … Continue reading →

Posted in AML, Due diligence, Money laundering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Money launder-gig

Posted on February 20, 2019 by

I’m always surprised – although I try not to show it – when people ask me how money laundering actually works, as there is an almost infinite number of ways in which criminals can move their money around.  Invent a … Continue reading →

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Laundering and llamas

Posted on January 21, 2019 by

The last time I played a game on a screen was in about 1980, when my friend and I discovered the joys of Pong – that table-tennis-ish game with two bats (OK, white lines) that you moved up and down … Continue reading →

Posted in AML, Money laundering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The award no-one wants

Posted on January 11, 2019 by

As you know, we are deep in awards season.  (Is anyone else baffled by the all-conquering success of “The Favourite”?  I like Olivia Colman as much as anyone, and the film is certainly entertaining and lovely to look at, but … Continue reading →

Posted in AML, Bribery and corruption, Money laundering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The ultimate in white collar crime

Posted on January 2, 2019 by

We’ll get back to serious stuff soon, I promise, but as we ease ourselves into the new working year I thought you might enjoy this irresistible offer I received over the festive break, from the Pope.  Yes, the man himself: … Continue reading →

Posted in AML, Money laundering | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wimples and wagers

Posted on December 21, 2018 by

In recent AML training I have found myself talking more and more about the “CDD jigsaw”.  As with all jigsaws, the CDD version involves gathering lots of little bits of information – some of which might seem indecipherable or unrelated … Continue reading →

Posted in AML, Money laundering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments