Global Scans · Crime · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Crime is morphing away from traditional methods to more sophisticated technological approaches. A decline of traditional hierarchical criminal groups and networks will be accompanied by the expansion of a virtual criminal underground made up of individual criminal entrepreneurs. At the same time, forward-looking agencies are equipping themselves with smart technologies to outfox the criminals. Keep up to date with crime changes below.

• [New] With FCA supervision extending to legal and accounting firms by 2029, Money Laundering Regulations amendments anticipated in late 2026, and the Failure to Prevent Fraud offence introducing criminal liability for directors in early 2027, the window for complacency is rapidly closing. FinTech Global
• [New] In practical terms, issues that once might have been managed as a single compliance matter can now escalate quickly into parallel exposure across civil False Claims Act (FCA) investigations, criminal inquiries, administrative action and state enforcement litigation. Medical Economics
• [New] Unregistered peer-to-peer crypto traders operating in the UK are doing so illegally and pose a financial crime risk. FCA
• [New] 5 Trends Redefining Global Financial Crime in 2026 Trend What Changed Compliance Risk The Bridge Takeover Cross-chain bridges have replaced mixers as the primary laundering tool for moving stolen funds. GLO Services AG
• [New] The immediate impact is operational rather than financial: residents and visitors should expect more high-contact policing presence in pedestrian zones and event corridors, with faster on-the-ground assistance via Dubai Police channels and patrol teams. My Dubai Today
• [New] The spread of terrorist groups worldwide has heightened fears among travelers, making safety a top priority. eTurboNews | eTN
• [New] In yet another migration and security scandal that will infuriate much of the British public, it has recently emerged that a convicted Islamist terrorist has been allowed to remain in the UK on human-rights grounds. Spiked
• [New] The Gulf of Guinea faces evolving threats: piracy has declined, but proxy conflicts and grey zone crime now fuel instability and undermine sovereignty. Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
• [New] Ensuring the ACIC can more effectively share intelligence with partners will put law enforcement another step ahead of organised crime. Ministers for the Department of Home Affairs Website
• [New] Legislation introduced to parliament will ensure the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has the intelligence-focused functions and capabilities it needs to respond to a threat environment that is increasingly complex, borderless and digitally enabled. Ministers for the Department of Home Affairs Website
• [New] Australia needs a dedicated national criminal intelligence agency to counter the growing threat posed by serious and organised crime. Ministers for the Department of Home Affairs Website
• [New] The U.S Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday urged all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately citing the danger that Iran-aligned Iraqi terrorist militias may intend to carry out attacks in central Baghdad within the next 24 to 48 hours. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] The UAE's statement emphasized the need for a comprehensive and sustained approach that addresses Iran's full range of threats, including its nuclear capabilities, ballistic missiles, drones, military capabilities, and affiliated proxies and terrorist groups. Insurance Journal
• [New] The terrorism threat to Singapore remains high, driven by ongoing conflicts elsewhere. ST
• [New] The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is amplifying terrorism risks across Europe and adjacent theaters like Turkey, characterized by state-linked retaliation tactics, proxy actors, and self-radicalized individuals. The Soufan Center
• [New] Brazil and the US have signed a cooperation deal to expand joint efforts on cross border crime, illustrating the Brazilian Executive will to position Lula's administration in transnational security issues. FTI Strategic Communications
• [New] The greatest fear is that someone could use a drone in a terrorist attack that could be just as deadly as the drone attacks that have become common on the battlefields of the Ukraine and Iran wars. Las Vegas Sun
• [New] Within the Western Hemisphere, cartels, armed rebel groups, and other criminal networks smuggle drugs, traffic weapons and people, profit from illegal extraction of raw materials like gold, and launder money for nefarious actors - all direct threats to the United States. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• [New] The Financial Action Task Force, an intergovernmental organization that investigates suspected money laundering operations, places Ecuador at a medium-high risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. Stanford Social Innovation Review
• [New] Economic crime will continue to evolve alongside technology, geopolitics and global financial systems. Clue
• [New] Privacy experts say that creating a mandatory, uniform regime for police and CSIS to plug into systems to get your data puts your information at higher risk of theft by nefarious actors. Canadian Constitution Foundation

Last updated: 02 May 2026