Ep33: How Serious are Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Sanctions?

In this podcast, I am sharing some insights into some of the job interview outcomes I have had the last few weeks. The exciting crossover opportunity with a fellow Compliance Podcaster and being a guest in their Podcast Show. And also sharing a flavor of how do I want my podcast to serve my listeners and the rest of the world by extension. And where my podcast is heading in terms of content creation, and what am I gonna be sharing on my channel over the next few weeks and months. And if you are a seasoned compliance professional and you’d like to be a guest on my show, please find me on LinkedIn and send me a DM and let’s connect. My name is Lahcen Benkerkiche. Thank you for listening. 🙏

Welcome to another episode of the Compliance Careerist Podcast! I'm your host Lahcen, and today, we're taking a special trip down memory lane as we celebrate the anniversary of this podcast. It's hard to believe it's been a year since I started this journey. Last Christmas, the Compliance Careerist Podcast was born, and little did I know what an incredible ride it would be! So, why did we start the Compliance Careerist Podcast? Well, it all began with a simple yet profound idea - the desire to give back to the community and share knowledge and wisdom. Find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lahcenbenkerkiche/

A 38 year old Albanian Woman is the brain behind famous AI technology ChatGPT. With such AI, Banks and Financial Institutions can use ChatGPT to transform their customer service, improve fraud detection, spot suspicious behaviors and even perform sanctions screening and negative news checks. However Cybersecurity experts warn against Compliance caveats.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a new “Dear CEO” letter to payment firms in the UK. The FCA “remain[s] concerned” that many payment firms do not have sufficiently robust controls and therefore “present an unacceptable risk of harm to their customers and to financial system integrity”. Key actions for payment firms In the letter, the FCA highlighted the three key outcomes they have set for payments firms, which are: Firms should ensure that their customers’ money is safe through safeguarding controls, prudential risk management and wind-down planning. Firms need to ensure they are not compromising financial system integrity, covering areas such as money laundering and sanctions as well as fraud. Ensuring customers’ needs are met through high quality products and services, in accordance with the requirements under the Consumer Duty.

The Dutch Foreign Minister Proposed in his Speech titled « Building a Secure European Future » to establish an OFAC equivalent agency that will Name, Shame, Sanction and Prosecute any Russian Sanctions evader.

You might want to consider changing career after hearing this Podcast. FinCEN’s AML program allows whistleblowers who report violations of the Bank Secrecy Act to receive up to 30% of any resulting monetary sanctions in excess of $1 million. The BSA requires financial institutions to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and report different types of transactions, including those suspected of relating to criminal activity.

The US and EU have imposed new and unprecedented sanctions against Russia in response to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine on War anniversary.

In financial regulation, a politically exposed person (PEP) is one who has been entrusted with a prominent public function. A PEP generally presents a higher risk for potential involvement in bribery and corruption by virtue of their position and the influence that they may hold. The HIO is the primary person who leads the organization. For example, the HIO could be a president or CEO. By Compliance Careerist

The OFAC sanctions can be either comprehensive or selective, using the blocking of assets and trade restrictions to accomplish foreign policy and national security goals. OFAC manages the United States government's sanctions and embargo programs, as well as the Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) and Blocked Persons Lists. Compliance Careerist.

Snow washing refers to hiding illegitimate financial transactions often for purposes of tax evasion in Canada. Canada may have a reputation as a law-abiding and democratic nation, but it is also notorious as a place where it is easy to engage in money laundering. This has become so egregious that a special term has been coined to describe it: “snow-washing” – and Transparency International has issued numerous statements about the problem.