FATF updates COVID-19 report

The FATF issued a report in May 2020 highlighting COVID-19-related money laundering and terrorist financing risks and policy responses. Yesterday it released an update to the report, highlighting the latest developments.

Using input from the FATF Global Network of over 200 countries and jurisdictions, and from private and public sector webinars in July and September, the update details how criminals continue to exploit the crisis. A selection of case studies illustrates how the risks have evolved as the pandemic has progressed, and how authorities have dealt with them. These include mounting cases of counterfeiting medical goods, cybercrime, investment fraud, charity fraud and abuse of economic stimulus measures.

To respond to evolving risks, FATF urged authorities and the private sector need to take a risk-based approach, as required by the FATF Standards. This means mitigating the money laundering and terrorist financing risks without disrupting essential and legitimate financial services or driving financial activities towards unregulated service providers.