Trade-Based Money Laundering in Southeast Asia: Risks, Trends and Mitigation Measures

Trade-Based Money Laundering in Southeast Asia: Risks, Trends and Mitigation Measures

Trade-based money laundering (TBML) in Southeast Asia has been on the rise in recent years, driven by a confluence of factors including robust economic growth, a relatively weak regulatory environment (with the key exception of Singapore,) corruption issues, and the presence of sophisticated transnational criminal networks. These factors, as well as political, socio-economic and cultural dynamics, put the region at heightened risk for TBML in which financial institutions, corporations and governments should play a greater pro-active role in combating.

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Cyber Fraud on the Rise in Southeast Asia

Cyber Fraud on the Rise in Southeast Asia

A series of cyber fraud attacks targeting financial institutions through the SWIFT global messaging system has prompted an industry wide review of IT security measures and has highlighted the rising risk of cyber fraud against financial institutions in Southeast Asia and beyond. SWIFT has responded with a five-part customer security program to reinforce the security of the global banking platform, yet its CEO has warned “there will be more attacks.”

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