U.K. Sanctions 18 Entities and Persons for Evading Russian Trade Blockades

The UK sanctioned 18 cryptocurrency exchanges, payment providers, and individuals on May 26, 2026, including HTX exchange, for helping Russia bypass international sanctions.

Members of Transnational Money Laundering Organization Charged with Laundering Cartel Funds

An indictment was unsealed charging Ruhuan Zhen and Hongce Wu, both Chinese nationals, with conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with transnational criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación.

Abu Dhabi Global Market releases 2026 money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment update

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) published its 2026 update to the money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment for legal persons and arrangements in May 2026, showing institutional growth to 12,302 entities (72% increase from March 2024) while risk profile remains largely stable.

Dubai regulator DFSA bans DIFC reinsurance broker, fines him Dh513,000 for misleading clients and insurers

Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) banned a reinsurance broker working in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) after finding he engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. The broker was fined $139,722 (Dh513,129).

SEC Charges 21 Individuals With Alleged Wide-Reaching Insider Trading Scheme

The SEC charged 21 individuals for their alleged involvement in a decade-long insider trading scheme that used information misappropriated from multiple global law firms and resulted in millions of dollars in illicit profits.

Dubai Police: 276 suspects arrested in major international financial fraud operation

Dubai Police announced in April 2026 a major international operation "Tri-Force Sentinel" in coordination with FBI and Chinese Police that dismantled cross-border criminal networks, arrested 276 suspects, and targeted three gangs running nine fraud centers specializing in high-yield investment scams and cryptocurrency fraud.

Dubai helps arrest 276 criminals, dismantles global fraud network in joint operation

Operation Tri-Force Sentinel: Dubai Police collaborated with FBI and Chinese police to arrest 276 individuals, predominantly from Southeast Asian nations, and dismantle nine fraud centers.

ACPR sanctions MoneyGram International SA for serious deficiencies in anti-money laundering and terrorist financing controls

The ACPR Sanctions Commission issued a reprimand and a pecuniary sanction of €1.3 million to MoneyGram International SA on 19 March 2026.

Paraguayan Senator Convicted of Aiding International Cocaine Trafficker

Paraguayan senator Erico Galeano Segovia of the ruling Colorado Party was sentenced to 13 years in prison for money laundering and criminal association linked to fugitive Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset.

201 Arrests in First-of-Its-Kind Cybercrime Operation in MENA Region

INTERPOL Operation Ramz (October 2025 to February 28, 2026) in the MENA region led to 201 arrests. The operation focused on neutralizing phishing and malware threats, resulting in 3,867 victims identified and 53 servers seized.

Major Operation in Africa Targeting Online Scams Nets 651 Arrests, Recovers USD 4.3 Million

INTERPOL Operation Red Card 2.0 (December 8, 2025 to January 30, 2026) resulted in 651 arrests across 16 African countries, recovering more than $4.3 million. The operation targeted high-yield investment scams, mobile money fraud, and fraudulent mobile loan applications.

Kuwait and Papua New Guinea added to FATF Grey List

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) added Kuwait to its grey list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring in February 2026. Kuwait made a high-level political commitment to work with FATF and MENAFATF to strengthen effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime.

FATF: Serious deficiencies in money laundering prevention in Kuwait

FATF noted that Kuwait has an appropriate legal and regulatory framework for combating money laundering and terrorism financing, but identified "serious deficiencies preventing effective results."