Financial Crime

Money laundering, fraud, terrorism financing, etc. Financial Crime can take many faces and here is where we analyse all of them.

Financial crime encompasses any illegal act by individuals or groups aimed at acquiring money or property from others for financial or professional advantage. These activities, often conducted by persons or criminal networks, are focused on obtaining economic gains through illicit means. In recent years, financial crimes have emerged as a pressing global concern, inflicting considerable damage on both the economy and society.

Types of financial crime

Financial crime ranges from basic theft or fraud committed by single individuals to large-scale, global schemes masterminded by organized criminal syndicates. Financial crime is commonly considered as covering the following offenses:

  • fraud
  • money laundering
  • terrorist financing
  • bribery and corruption
  • insider trading
  • cybercrime
  • tax evasion
  • embezzlement
  • market manipulation

Financial crimes are not just a threat to the economic fabric but also erode public trust in financial institutions and systems. Understanding their various forms is the first step in combating these crimes effectively. As they evolve with technology and globalization, continuous vigilance and adaptation of countermeasures are essential to safeguard economies and societies worldwide.

Financial crime articles and other resources

5 strategies to simplify complex data systems in financial crime risk operations
Financial Crime
5 strategies to simplify complex data systems in financial crime risk operations
Managing financial crime risk operations is no easy task. Disconnected systems, inefficient processes, and outdated data workflows often hinder decision-making and growth. In this article, we outline five key strategies to streamline your data systems and empower your teams to work smarter.
What the Danske Bank scandal can teach us about financial crime risk management in correspondent banking
Financial Crime
What the Danske Bank scandal can teach us about financial crime risk management in correspondent banking
Danske Bank recently pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering. This scandal has significant implications for financial crime risk management.
Unlocking the Power of the Network: Rethinking the Financial Crime Risk Framework
Financial Crime
Unlocking the Power of the Network: Rethinking the Financial Crime Risk Framework
The current framework for managing AML risk is underperforming despite the investments being made in terms of raw compliance spend.
Trust and transparency for a fairer financial ecosystem in the MENA region
Financial Crime
Trust and transparency for a fairer financial ecosystem in the MENA region
Last month, our CEO Shane Riedel moderated a panel discussion at the 2nd MENA RegTech Virtual Executive Boardroom Conference.
Sanctions risks: KYC challenges and how to overcome them
Financial Crime
Sanctions risks: KYC challenges and how to overcome them
From tech and operational challenges, to manual KYC and AML processes - here's how to tackle these challenges when evaluating sanctions risk.
Shane Riedel and Filipe Garcia: An interview with Elucidate's founders
Financial Crime
Shane Riedel and Filipe Garcia: An interview with Elucidate's founders
The startup founders share their perspective on Elucidate's genesis, evolution and vision
Luanda leaks: Reflections on fixing a flawed system
Financial Crime
Luanda leaks: Reflections on fixing a flawed system
The revelations about the conduct and criminal activity of Isabel dos Santos has brought to the fore familiar issues in the financial crime space.
How financial crime scandals reveal the need for risk monitoring tech
Financial Crime
How financial crime scandals reveal the need for risk monitoring tech
Leaks and whistleblowers have become a usual method by which many large-scale financial crime events are uncovered. What can we learn from this?
How poor financial crime risk management can be a career killer
Financial Crime
How poor financial crime risk management can be a career killer
Without a right strategy and technology to support it, executives and Board Members put themselves at risk of being found liable for financial crime.
Here’s how the EU can enlist the private sector to tackle financial crime
Financial Crime
Here’s how the EU can enlist the private sector to tackle financial crime
EU has a critical window of opportunity to put in place innovative yet feasible solutions to strengthen Europe’s protections against financial crime.
Financial Crime is Financial Risk. Why is it not managed as such?
Financial Crime
Financial Crime is Financial Risk. Why is it not managed as such?
Banks don't view the work of compliance departments as providing financial value but rather as a “cost center”. This view can be a big mistake.
Correspondent banking: when is digital technology truly transformative in tackling financial crime?
Financial Crime
Correspondent banking: when is digital technology truly transformative in tackling financial crime?
“Digital transformation” is a banking buzzword. But when is it truly effective in the fight against financial crime? We explain what you need to know.
Correspondent banking: how transparent benchmarking can avoid unnecessary de-risking and maximise opportunities
Financial Crime
Correspondent banking: how transparent benchmarking can avoid unnecessary de-risking and maximise opportunities
De-risking can often be one of the first responses to working with banks in high risk categories. But does it have to be?
A probabilistic approach to outcomes in the anti-financial crime
Financial Crime
A probabilistic approach to outcomes in the anti-financial crime
When it comes to preventing financial crime, today’s banking industry is stuck in a cycle of endless investments, and limited returns.
3 SupTech milestones to look out for until 2023 and why they will matter
Financial Crime
3 SupTech milestones to look out for until 2023 and why they will matter
"When did criminals start to realise the best way to steal millions was to just make their transactions very very boringly complicated."
5 reasons why the global anti-money laundering (AML) system is failing financial institutions
Financial Crime
5 reasons why the global anti-money laundering (AML) system is failing financial institutions
99% of money laundering proceeds remains in criminal hands - here are the key reasons why global AML/CFT controls are not working.
Scaling risk reporting while driving growth
Financial Crime
Scaling risk reporting while driving growth
For operations teams in financial institutions, scaling risk reporting isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements – it’s about ensuring operational efficiency and supporting strategic growth. This blog explores how to integrate risk data, automate repetitive tasks, and implement scalable, modular solutions that streamline operations.
Streamlining risk ops: tools for today’s challenges
Financial Crime
Streamlining risk ops: tools for today’s challenges
Outdated systems and fragmented workflows are more than just inefficiencies – they’re barriers to resilience and growth. This blog examines the current approaches to risk and data operations and identifies why many systems fall short.
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