OFSI has published its Annual Report for 2021-2022, top include the period up to the end of August 2022.
The report makes interesting reading on licencing and on the plans to grow OFSI’s head count to more than 100 staff.
The report notes that OFSI received 147 reports of suspected sanctions breaches, with a “significant” increase since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It has been reported today that the German authorities have conducted raids across Germany as part of investigations into alleged exports of chemicals to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.
The raids included the premises of the companies Riol Chemie GmbH and R.R. Rhein Reserve GmbH.
It is alleged that more than 30 separate exports have taken place in the last three or so years, and that the chemicals could be used to make chemical weapons including Novichok.
The Luxembourg financial services regulator, the CSSF, has today imposed a a fine of €145,000 on Unzer Luxembourg SA for AML and sanctions compliance failings.
The penalty notice noted that the failings, including in sanctions screening, were identified as part of an on-site inspection in 2020 and 2021, and noted that the lack of a fine took into consideration the bank’s efforts at remediation.
The Luxembourg financial services regulator, the CSSF, has today imposed a reprimand on Banque J Safra Sarasin (Luxembourg) SA for AML and sanctions compliance failings.
The penalty notice noted that the failings, including in sanctions screening, were identified as part of an on-site inspection in 2019, and noted that the lack of a fine took into consideration the bank’s efforts at remediation.
The Latvian Intelligence Services (VDD) has announced the arrest and charge of an individual on suspicion of breaching the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
As well as other offences, the sanctions breach is said to relate to cooperation “with a person included in the EU sanctions list”
It has been reported that the National Crime Agency has confirmed the arrests of 10 individuals suspected of helping designated persons evade sanctions.
The arrests are said to include lawyers, solicitors and other regulated professionals.
The same reports have noted the use of the art market as an avenue being used to evade asset freezes.
The Luxembourg financial services regulator, the CSSF, has today fined BEMO Europe Banque Privée SA €356,000 for AML and sanctions compliance failings.
The penalty notice noted that the failings, including in sanctions screening, were identified as part of an on-site inspection in 2020, and noted that the size of the fine took into consideration the bank’s efforts at remediation.
The Dutch Supreme Court has denied an appeal against an 18-month custodial sentence against an individual for his role in seven exports of goods to the National Iranian Gas Company which is a designated person under the EU’s sanctions.
The shipments were made via Turkey or Dubai and the defence argued in the appeal that this was not “indirectly” making economic resources available to a designated person. The Supreme Court disagreed.
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has fined Ghana International Bank Plc for sanctions compliance failures, including a lack of periodic screening, only screening after onboarding had been completed, and an insufficiently detailed or practical sanctions policy.
The bank was fined £5,829,900 after a 30% reduction for cooperation and early settlement.
