Daily financial-crime intelligence · Updated 2 Sep 2026, 23:01 UTC
Money laundering
Oluwasegun Baiyewu, 40, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 95 months in prison for his role in a money laundering conspiracy involving millions of dollars tied to various fraud schemes—including business email compromise, romance, and unemployment insurance fraud scams—perpetrated against U.S.
Fraud & scams
According to the World Bank Group, United Aviation Services Limited (UNASEL), a transportation services company based in Nigeria, and its owner Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu have been debarred for 31 months for fraudulent practices.
Money laundering
The Civil Guard dismantled a criminal organization specialized in money laundering proceeds from fraud. The network conducted more than 9,200 transfers totalling over four million euros sent to Nigeria.
Other
The Insolvency Service announced on 23 July 2026 that Medrecruiter Limited (company number 15368407) was wound up in the public interest at the High Court on 16 July 2026 following its investigation.
Sanctions
The European Union adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia on 23 July 2026, which expands restrictive measures to target cryptocurrency platforms and payment services.
Sanctions
On July 14, 2026, the UN Security Council Committee concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo approved additions to its sanctions list targeting individuals and groups involved in destabilizing activities.
Fraud & scams
Six suspected scammers targeting UK victims were arrested in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, on 4 July 2026 by the Nigerian Police Force following joint working between the National Crime Agency, Nigerian Police Force and Meta.
The European Union Council strengthened the EU's restrictive measures concerning Sudan on July 13, 2026, by introducing a ban on the purchase, import or transfer of gold originating in Sudan, and banning the sale, supply, transfer or export of mercury and cyanide to Sudan.
Trafficking
Abdul Zahir Qadeer, also known as 'Haji Abdul Zahir,' a former general in Afghanistan's Border Force and First Deputy Speaker of Afghanistan's National Assembly's House of the People, was extradited from Kenya to the United States to face charges of conspiracy to import heroin and methamphetamine and weapons offenses.
Sanctions
The UN Security Council ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee amended the designation of Hamidah Nabaggala, a Ugandan national born February 23, 1989, currently residing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Money laundering
Samuel D. Marcus, 33, from Oreland, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering charges before U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky.
Sanctions
France's Navy intercepted oil tanker Deliver near Sicily on June 23, 2026, marking the fifth Russian shadow fleet vessel seized by France in 2026. The Cameroon-flagged ship allegedly carried Russian crude destined for Singapore.
Bribery & corruption
A London jury has acquitted Diezani Alison-Madueke of allegations that she accepted bribes in exchange for lucrative oil and gas contracts.
Money laundering
French authorities conducted new raids on the Franco-British petroleum company Perenco on June 16, 2026, as part of an expanding corruption investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF).
UK Royal Marines boarded and detained the Russian shadow fleet tanker 'Smyrtos' (operating under Cameroon flag) in the English Channel following a six-hour operation. The vessel was used to transport Russian oil circumventing Western sanctions.
Sanctions
Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency officers boarded sanctioned vessel SMYRTOS (Cameroon flag) in English Channel on June 14, 2026 in first UK-led operation of its kind. Six-hour operation supported by Chinook, Merlin, Wildcat helicopters, RAF P-8, HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury.
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2821 (2026) on May 29, 2026, extending sanctions on South Sudan for one year until May 31, 2027.
Fraud & scams
Akinade Adedeji Raheem, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Abayomi Quadri Eletu, 42, of UK and Nigeria, charged with conspiracy to claim fraudulent tax refunds using stolen identities of accountants and taxpayers.
Sanctions
Investigation reveals A7A5 stablecoin processed $119.7B, functions as purpose-built settlement rail for sanctioned Russian businesses. Backed by Promsvyazbank deposits (state-owned bank supporting military industrial base), majority-owned by convicted oligarch Ilan Shor.
The corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, began at Southwark Crown Court in London. The trial follows charges brought in 2023 after a National Crime Agency investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering.
Money laundering
OFAC sanctioned four Kyrgyzstan companies (Mirdk Fyuels, Suprim Ef Iks, Sakhara Petroleum, Royal Sona) on December 9, 2024 for gold smuggling and money laundering. All registered March 30, 2023 at same address, curated by David Paul Crosby of Skorus Investments.
OFAC designated eight individuals and entities supporting both sides of Sudan's civil war, including Target Multiactivities Company Ltd. and Ports Engineering Company Ltd. for procuring explosives and military equipment for the Sudanese Armed Forces.
World Bank debarred Roger Bokandenga, a DRC national, for 21 months for corrupt practices in the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development and Growth Project.
OFAC sanctioned Gasabo Gold Refinery LTD and three other mining entities, plus two individuals (Jean Malic Kalima and Bosco Kayobotsi), for facilitating the M23 rebel group's illicit gold smuggling from eastern DRC.
Samuel D. Marcus, 33, of Pennsylvania, entered a guilty plea to concealment money laundering, arising from his role as a money mule for Nigeria-based scammers in which he laundered millions of dollars in fraud proceeds, according to prosecutors.
The Civil Guard dismantled a criminal organisation dedicated to money-laundering proceeds from fraud, with 20 detained and 11 under investigation in Miranda de Ebro (Burgos), Bilbao, Basauri and Santurtzi.
OFAC designated 4 entities and 2 individuals involved in illicit conflict minerals trading networks in eastern DRC. Entities: Bugambira Mines Ltd (aka Multiserve Consults Ltd), Gasabo Gold Refinery Ltd, Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation Ltd, Wolfram Mining and Processing Ltd—all based in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Nigerian Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, commenced a special legislative oversight and public hearing on August 3, 2026, to examine Nigeria's extractive sector across the years 2021–2023.