UNCOVERING RISK..........................
STAY VIGILANT - ARE THESE YOUR CUSTOMERS?
MILLION DOLLAR COUNTERFEITERS JAILED
It didn't take convicted counterfeiter Anastasis Arnaouti long to get back to his old ways. Reportedly just one month after leaving jail, having just completed a two year sentence for counterfeiting, this skilled graphic designer is alleged to have set up an operation in a hired workshop in Greater Manchester. His recruited gang members included printer Philip Raynor and his alleged second in command David Harper. When officers raided the premises in 2002 they found £1,685,930 in counterfeit £10 notes, $3,377,300 in counterfeit $100 notes and reels and hologram images capable of producing $3,539,400 in travellers' cheques. Reportedly more money that had already gone into circulation was recovered later. The National Crime Squad, the US Secret Service and the Greater Manchester Police ran a combined operation to bring down this huge counterfeiting operation. To see all the players involved in this conspiracy with Arnaouti, go to UID 263016.
'REAL IRA' MEMBERS BEHIND BARS
In June five members of the Real IRA were put behind bars for terms ranging from 3 years to just under 6 years. Ciaran "Kiwi" O'Dwyer, reportedly the officer in charge of operations in Cork and Limerick, had previously served time for his involvement with the IRA as far back as 1973. In 1990 he was jailed for 12 years for possession of ammunition and firearms but was released under the Good Friday Agreement. To find out more about him, his co-accused Larkin (his alleged second in command in the Munster area) as well as Murphy, Varian and O'Driscoll, go to O'Dwyer's profile UID316094.
CUSTOMS OFFICER NAILED FOR NARCOTICS
Richard Riley a former Customs officer at Gatwick airport, in southern England was jailed for 15 years in June on two counts of conspiracy to import narcotics and money laundering. His wife, a social worker, received 180 hours community service for her part in the crime. World-Check profiled them in July 2004, when HM Customs arrested them. It was reported that cocaine with an estimated street value of £2.4m was seized in raids across London by more than 100 customs and police officers. Members of this narcotics gang received a total of nearly 70 years behind bars. To see who was involved, go to Riley's profile UID 239005.
MORE MAFIOSO CAUGHT
Giacomo Migliaccio sometimes referred to as 'a femminella' was arrested in Naples in June 2005. This 46 year old is reported to be a prominent member of the 'Scissionisti' Mafia clan, Naples and alleged right had man of mafia boss Raffaele Amato. He was charged with mafia association, homicide and narcotics trafficking. to find out more about him, view his profiles UID 319415..
WORLD-CHECK LAUNCHES FORUM FOR WORLD'S TOP FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Former Spanish President Aznar Speaks on Terrorism at First Annual Gathering.
World-Check, the leading provider of structured intelligence
on known high-risk individuals and businesses, convened on June 16th a
special annual meeting of top financial executives from around the world
to examine critical compliance and AML issues concerning the world's leading
banking institutions.
The first annual World-Check Forum brought together 35 representatives
of the world's largest banks and financial institutions at Stapleford
Park estate in Leicestershire.
During the special 24-hour session, forum delegates were given the opportunity
to present the top concerns of their institutions and discuss common issues
and potential solutions.
David Leppan, World-Check CEO and Founder, opened the
event.
Featured speaker and guest of honour Jose-Maria Aznar,
who served as President of Spain from 1996 to 2004 and whose administration
was undermined by the brutal terrorist attack on March 11, 2004, spoke
to attendees about the world campaign against terrorism and the important
role to be played by financial institutions in the battle against terrorist
financing.
"There is a growing need for streamlined cooperation among members
of the world's financial community, especially in regard to identifying
and monitoring the activities of potential terrorist and criminal enterprises,"
said Leppan.
"The World-Check Forum helps encourage such
cooperation by providing top banking institutions with a collegial and
informal environment in which colleagues can share their concerns and
seek possible solutions."
World-Check provides financial institutions, regulators
and government agencies with information on high-risk individuals and
businesses.
To go to the press release section on World-Check
"Following the money as a way of combating crime and terrorism continues to require nimble action by authorities to keep pace with the alternative methods of operations criminals and terrorists seek to employ to acquire and move their funds. The closer we looked at banks, the faster the money seemed to shift to non-traditional money movers-gem and jewellery dealers, real estate, charities, and attorneys or other intermediaries. As these entities were brought under the purview of anti-money laundering laws and regulations, the money moved further underground-to alternative remittance systems such as hawala, trade or commodity based systems, or to cash couriers".
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
Released by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs
March 2005
More than 1254 institutions and government agencies in more than 120 countries rely on World-Check for KYC risk reduction intelligence.
For more information and frequently asked questions please visit our website by clicking here.
