Australia - Indonesia - U.S.

Please tell this government that fighting corruption is a strategy to boost economic growth (opinion). "Corruption leads to public resources being wasted on political games, and short-term private interests being put before the long-term needs of the Australian people." 

The Canberra Times: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7673641/fighting-corruption-boosts-economic-growth/ 

 

G20 ACWG: KPK urges private sector to help eradicate corruption. "The commission has selected four priority issues that will be discussed at the G20 ACWG meeting—increasing the role of audits for eradicating corruption, public participation, anti-corruption education, supervision of 'professional enablers' in money laundering crimes (TPPU), and corruption in the renewable energy sector." 

Antaranews: https://en.antaranews.com/news/222369/g20-acwg-kpk-urges-private-sector-to-help-eradicate-corruption 

 

Biggest fraud in a generation: The looting of the Covid relief plan known as PPP. "The prevalence of Covid relief fraud has been known for some time, but the enormous scope and its disturbing implications are only now becoming clear." 

NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/biggest-fraud-generation-looting-covid-relief-program-known-ppp-n1279664 

U.S. - Nigeria - Ukraine

Fiscal year 2023, the U.S. President's budget request. "Fight Transnational Corruption ($100 million) by empowering anti-corruption champions, strengthening partner countries' ability to detect and prevent corruption, and exposing and disrupting the flow of illicit money, goods, and natural resources. This is a 100% increase for USAID programming above the FY 2022 request." 

USAID: https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/mar-28-2022-fiscal-year-2023-presidents-budget-request 

 

Interreligious Group To Tackle Corruption Using Behavioural Changes. "As part of its effort to tame the tide of corruption in Nigeria, the Interreligious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria (ICACN) during the week gathered stakeholders in the formal and non-formal sector to brainstorm on how behavioural changes can be adopted in fighting corruption." 

Independent Nigeria: https://independent.ng/interreligious-group-to-tackle-corruption-using-behavioural-changes/ 

 

Targeted by Traffickers - Ukrainian Refugees at High Risk of Exploitation. "Evidence from conflicts shows that criminals profit from the chaos and desperation of war. Crisis increases vulnerabilities as well as opportunities to exploit people in need, especially internally displaced people and refugees, says UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly." 

UNODC: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/frontpage/2022/March/targeted-by-traffickers---ukrainian-refugees-at-high-risk-of-exploitation.html 

U.K .- Nigeria - U.S.

Transparency International UK (TI UK) welcomes inclusion of PPE procurement in the Covid-19 inquiry terms of reference. "Scrutiny of the government's procurement practices and support for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic will help deliver much-needed transparency and accountability over how billions of pounds in public funds were spent." 

TI UK: https://www.transparency.org.uk/covid-19-public-inquiry-PPE-procurement-business-loans-anti-corruption 

Nigeria's Senate passes whistle-blower bill, amends legislation on crime proceeds. "The lawmaker said when it becomes law, it would encourage and facilitate disclosure of wrongful or unlawful activities which directly or indirectly impact the administration and management of Public Office or Authority." 

The Citizen: https://thecitizenng.com/senate-passes-whistle-blower-bill-amends-legislation-on-crime-proceeds/ 

 

Joint Statement by President Biden (the U.S.) and President von der Leyen (European Union). To support human rights defenders, anti-corruption watchdogs, journalists, and other members of civil society operating in and around Ukraine, the United States is launching the European Democratic Resilience Initiative (EDRI), which will provide at least $320 million in new funding to these groups and regional governments. 

The White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/24/joint-statement-by-president-biden-and-president-von-der-leyen/ 

South Korea - China - U.S.

What a new president's election means for South Korean democracy. "Yoon has two important tasks in front of him: mending emergent social divisions and making institutional changes to prevent – not just punish – corruption." 

The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2022/03/what-president-yoon-suk-yeols-election-means-for-south-korean-democracy/ 

 

China debt: anti-corruption watchdog vows clamp down on the 'money bags' of local governments. "The Jiangsu branch of China's anti-graft watchdog has said it will target corruption and disorder surrounding local government financing vehicles (LGFVs) – known as the "money bags" of regional authorities – once again highlighting poor transparency around the platforms amid mounting debt pressure." 

South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3171263/china-debt-anti-corruption-watchdog-vows-clamp-down-money  

 

FACT Submits Comment to the SEC to Amend Form PF and Secure the U.S. Financial System. "The SEC should show leadership now in addressing illicit finance risks threatening the U.S. private investment industry by revising Form PF to provide greater transparency." 

Financial Accountability & Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition: https://thefactcoalition.org/fact-submits-comment-to-the-sec-to-amend-form-pf-and-secure-the-u-s-financial-system/ 

Climate crisis - Guatemala – Russia

The hidden threat of climate fraud: How the spectre of corruption haunts the climate crisis. "Although financial losses from corruption are notoriously difficult to determine, some estimates show that in the water sector alone, it may be that as much as 15 per cent of climate funds are lost to corruption." 

New Statesman: https://www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/2022/03/the-hidden-threat-of-climate-fraud 

 

A top Guatemalan judge resigns in blow to anti-corruption movement. "One of Guatemala's top judges, a key figure in the fight against corruption, said on Monday that she had resigned amid threats and pressure related to her work, in a blow to the stuttering fight against impunity in the Central American country." 

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/top-guatemalan-judge-resigns-blow-anti-corruption-movement-2022-03-21/ 

 

Mystery Mansions Revealed: The Secret Assets of Putin's Oligarchs. "A luxurious estate on the French Riviera, Sardinian villas, mansions in London and Paris, and a billion-dollar offshore trust –– these are some of the more than two dozen assets that Russian oligarchs have managed to keep secret until now." 

Organized crime and corruption reporting project: https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/16098-mystery-mansions-revealed-the-secret-assets-of-putin-s-oligarchs 

Russia - South East Asia - China

Transparency International – Countering Russia's Kleptocrats "For more than two decades, corrupt officials and politically connected people in Russia have laundered vast amounts of money and parked their illicit gains abroad. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we are campaigning to hold them and their accomplices to account, while demanding the fast-tracking of key anti-corruption reforms." 

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/campaigns/countering-russia-kleptocrats-after-ukraine 

 

A qualitative survey of public sector pharmaceutical committee conflict of interest policies in the WHO South-East Asia Region. "Processes for preventing or managing conflicts of interest were less well developed than those for disclosure except for a few key procurement processes." 

Bio Med Central: https://globalizationandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12992-022-00822-8 

 

China to increase scrutiny of statistical data to curb fraud. "China will step up scrutiny of the country's statistics agency and tackle the "outstanding problems" of data fraud and falsification, the Communist Party's anti-corruption inspection unit said on Friday." 

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-increase-scrutiny-statistical-data-curb-fraud-2022-03-18/ 

Golden visas/ACA/AML

Curbing corrupt abuse of EU golden passport and visas. "The EU should ban the sale of golden passports once and for all. Member states should ensure that citizenship or residency rights awarded to sanctioned individuals are immediately revoked. This would signal that the EU no longer offers a safe haven to kleptocrats." 

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/eu-golden-passports-visas-corruption-european-commission-must-heed-parliament-proposals 

We need strong anti-corruption bodies: NSW treasurer Matt Kean calls for federal watchdog. "The New South Wales treasurer, Matt Kean, believes the creation of a federal anti-corruption body is vital to safeguard Australia's economic prosperity and rule of law. Just months out from the federal election, Kean used a speech to highlight the importance of "strong anti-corruption bodies" to hold every level of government accountable." 

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/16/we-need-strong-anti-corruption-bodies-nsw-treasurer-matt-kean-calls-for-federal-watchdog 

 

The search for oligarchs' wealth in U.S. hindered by investment loopholes. "Under current law, private equity firms and hedge firms do not need to verify their investors' identities or how they made their money — requirements that U.S. banks have followed under the anti-money laundering Bank Secrecy Act, passed in 1970, and other anti-corruption laws."  

The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/03/16/private-equity-regulation-gap/ 

Latin America – EITI - India

Report: Weak Institutions Hamper Corruption Fight in Latin America. "Efforts to combat corruption in the region are insufficient, particularly because authorities are not independent and do not have the capacity to implement existing legislation." 

Law.com International: https://www.law.com/international-edition/2022/03/17/report-weak-institutions-hamper-corruption-fight-in-latam/?slreturn=20220218014245 

 

EITI makes progress on holding companies accountable, but will it work? "For over a year, EITI has struggled to hold its supporting companies responsible for their actions. Last month, it made considerable progress, but the EITI will need to follow through on ensuring its new commitments to accountability are enforced in a meaningful way." 

OXFAM: https://politicsofpoverty.oxfamamerica.org/eiti-makes-progress-on-holding-companies-accountable/ 

 

Corruption affects happiness of 43.2 per cent Indians. "The study showed that around 43.2 per cent Indians believe corruption is rampant in government and businesses and it depresses people and this affects the evaluations used to measure happiness. The study had a sample size of 20,073 interviewees across 28 states and eight Union Territories in India." 

Tribune India: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/corruption-affects-happiness-of-43-2-per-cent-indians-study-378634 

Interpol - Russia - EU

Global fight against financial crime intensifies as gangs switch to cryptocurrencies. "Governments, police, banks and companies must team up to tackle the scourge of financial crime, an Interpol official has said. Rory Corcoran, a director at the global police organisation, said financial crime and corruption are among the top threats faced by the agency's 195 member countries" 

The National News: https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2022/03/15/global-fight-against-financial-crime-intensifies-as-gangs-switch-to-cryptocurrencies/ 

 

Russian Oligarchs Hide Money in Plain Sight in Luxury New York City Condos. "Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, the growing presence of fabulously wealthy Russian oligarchs in high-end housing markets such as Manhattan, Miami and Los Angeles was the real estate industry's worst kept secret. Although many eschewed publicity, they weren't hard to spot." 

Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/russian-oligarchs-hide-money-plain-sight-luxury-new-york-city-condos-1687503 

 

Companies to be more accountable for their social and environmental impact. "If agreed with EU governments, the bill will make businesses more accountable for their impact on people and the planet, while giving investors and the public access to comparable, reliable and easily accessible information on sustainability." 

European Parliament: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220314IPR25409/companies-to-be-more-accountable-for-their-social-and-environmental-impact 

FATF - China - Vietnam

The Global Task Force That's Going After Dirty Money. "Though the body is sometimes criticized for focusing too much on formal regulation, the mere risk of ending up on the FATF's watchlist has been enough to spur some governments into action." 

The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-global-task-force-thats-going-after-dirty-money/2022/03/10/324a2aa4-a099-11ec-9438-255709b6cddc_story.html 

Former Chinese cadre cleared of wrongdoing after taking up executive job at vaccine maker. "Yunnan's anti-corruption watchdog said Jiang Runsheng had not violated the employment rules after he left medical university and government position. Observer says decision suggests there may be some leeway to retain senior talent amid a crackdown on 'revolving door' between the public and private sector." 

South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3169979/former-chinese-cadre-cleared-wrongdoing-after-taking-executive?module=live&pgtype=homepage 

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) disbursement of Covid relief packages investigated. "The Public Security Ministry has asked HCMC to provide documents related to the disbursement of Covid-19 relief packages to facilitate an anti-corruption probe. The documents have to be submitted to the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, the ministry's Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling and Economic Crimes said Wednesday." 

VN Express: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/hcmc-disbursement-of-covid-relief-packages-investigated-4436740.html 

FATF - Regulatory perspective - Illegal Wildlife Crime

Financial Action Task Force adopts new standard on transparency in company ownership. “The new standard, announced on Friday by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will make it easier for the international community to block corrupt officials and kleptocrats who use secretive corporate structures to exploit the global financial system.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/financial-action-task-force-adopts-new-standard-transparency-company-beneficial-ownership

 

Reconsidering Anticorruption from a Regulatory Perspective (opinion). “Paradoxically, not only do rules not always help to combat corruption, but rules can breed corruption. In fact, corruption is often carried out because of regulatory controls.”

The Regulatory Review: https://www.theregreview.org/2022/03/07/de-benedetto-reconsidering-anticorruption-regulatory-perspective/

 

On the case: Identifying corruption by reviewing wildlife crime court cases (Report). “Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) involves organized criminal groups that operate successfully by involving officials in corruption. For agencies addressing IWT, reviewing historical cases can be useful for establishing knowledge and skills to identify missed opportunities and barriers when targeting higher-level organizers.”

Traffic.org: https://www.traffic.org/publications/reports/on-the-case-identifying-corruption-by-reviewing-wildlife-crime-court-cases-in-southern-africa/

Russia - US - Indonesia

Kleptocracy in Russia has thrived on the complicity of advanced economies, who are now waking up to its dangers. "Transparency International Russia found that in the years 2008 to 2020 current and former officials have had 28,000 properties in 85 countries, including in EU member states." 

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/countering-russian-kleptocrats-wests-response-to-assault-on-ukraine 

 

Biden Wants to Crack Down on Foreign Corruption. Here's How (Opinion). "The U.S. government, and democracies around the world, must act now to fill the cracks in our financial infrastructures, and prevent the fault lines between democracy and kleptocracy from hardening into greater conflict." 

Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/biden-wants-crack-down-foreign-corruption-heres-how-opinion-1684753 

 

Global collaboration essential for recovery of corruption assets. "Cross-country and institutional cooperation is expected to surpass challenges to realizing an optimum recovery of assets obtained by criminal means, such as corruption. In this case, KPK and Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK)'s role in enhancing global collaboration is essential." 

Antaranews.com: https://en.antaranews.com/news/218285/global-collaboration-essential-for-recovery-of-corruption-assets 

China - Madagascar - UK

China's Liaoning province sees third police chief in a row accused of corruption. "China's top anti-corruption watchdog is investigating a provincial police chief as part of a crackdown that has snared at least 11 senior law enforcement and judicial figures in the past five years." 

South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3168992/chinas-liaoning-province-sees-third-police-chief-row-accused 

 

Call for better transparency and management around Covid-19 emergency funding. "On February 18, the Malagasy Ministry of Justice released the Court of Auditors' first audit report reviewing the financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Transparency International joins Transparency International - Initiative Madagascar and partners in celebrating the release of this first report, while continuing to call for greater transparency and accountability around COVID-19 funds to ensure the Malagasy people receive the support they need during this pandemic." 

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/transparency-international-initiative-madagascar-call-transparency-accountability-covid-19-emergency-funding 

 

The problem of tracing dirty money from Russia: How 'illegal' are 'illicit' flows? "In this article, we pinpoint three difficulties in conceptualising and, hence, tracing illicit financial flows, and suggest that, given these challenges a wider approach to studying the transnational reach of dirty money is needed." 

London School of Economics (LSE) Blog: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/the-problem-of-tracing-dirty-money-from-russia/ 

Indonesia - Malaysia - Cambodia

G20 momentum and Indonesia's anti-corruption institution's four priority issues. "The KPK suggested four priority issues within the G20 ACWG, with the first pertaining to increasing the role of audit in corruption eradication. The auditor's role can be bolstered within the corruption prevention program. In addition, several nations may have observed that the auditor's role can be expanded to serve as a supervisor." 

Antaranews: https://en.antaranews.com/news/217637/g20-momentum-and-anti-corruption-institutions-four-priority-issues 

 

No major corruption cases in Sarawak said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "There were 72 cases of false claims and 25 cases of abuse of power reported from 2017 to 2021 and during the period, there were 34 arrests on false claims and 24 cases of abuse of power." 

The Edge Market: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/no-major-corruption-cases-sarawak-%E2%80%93-macc 

 

Cambodia's Anti-Corruption Unit lauded. "The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) presented some of its achievements at the ninth meeting of the National Anti-Corruption Council, announcing its success in having assets and liabilities declared by public servants for its biannual 2022 inspections." 

The Phnom Penh Post: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/anti-corruption-unit-lauded 

Africa – China - UK

The High-Level Panel (HLP) on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) from Africa held its first meeting since the pandemic began, from 21-25 February. "The meeting discussed the outcomes of the 4th meeting of the Consortium to Stem IFFs from Africa, the progress on national level responses to illicit flows in response to the 2015 AU Assembly Declaration, and the outcome of the 1st African Fiscal Policy Forum on inequalities in taxing rights." 

Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission Newsletter: https://icpc.gov.ng/2022/02/28/annual-conference-of-the-high-level-panel-on-illicit-financial-flows-iffs-from-africa-convenes/ 

 

Chinese anti-corruption police detained more than 5,000 people accused of paying bribes last year. "In 2021, anti-corruption agencies in the country detained 5,006 people for giving bribes and transferred 2,822 to prosecutors for trial. The figures were included in a report made public by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Communist Party's top disciplinary watchdog, last week." 

South China Moring Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3168731/chinas-corruption-watchdog-moves-crackdown-bribe-givers 

 

UK Moves to Curb 'Dirty Money' for War in Ukraine. "Number 10 Downing Street, the home and office of the British Prime Minister, will introduce an economic crime bill to require overseas companies that control property and land in the U.K. to register with the government. The measure, which was originally introduced in 2018, was crafted to stop the 100 billion pounds ($134 billion) in illegal financing the U.K's Crime Agency estimates is channeled through the country annually." 

PYMNTS.COM: https://www.pymnts.com/healthcare-financing/2022/pymnts-intelligence-meeting-payment-challenges-telehealth/