Blogs

Bali Asset Preservation Investigation: What a 23-Hectare Land Seizure Shows Bali asset preservation investigation procedures are under renewed attention following the seizure of approximately 23 hectares of state-owned land in Ungasan, South Bali, as part of an ongoing Indonesian police investigation. The case is significant not because criminal responsibility has already been established, but because […]

CBC China Capital Records Highlight Cross-Border AML Compliance Risks A major document-based investigation into the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has placed a familiar compliance problem under renewed scrutiny: what happens when local financial-crime controls collide with commercial priorities, group-level instructions and strategically important clients? On 14 September 2026, the International Consortium of Investigative […]

Singapore Money Mule Investigations: Why Account Ownership Is Only the Starting Point When suspected scam proceeds pass through a bank account, identifying the account holder is an obvious first step. It is rarely the end of the investigation. A recent Singapore High Court judgment illustrates why. On 10 September 2026, the General Division of the […]

Enhanced Due Diligence Thailand: What the New Illicit-Finance Framework Changes Enhanced Due Diligence Thailand is entering a more intelligence-led phase as the Bank of Thailand and major financial-sector associations strengthen controls against fraud, money laundering and other illicit financial activity. On 10 September 2026, the Bank of Thailand announced a new Framework for Safeguarding the […]

Trade Finance Document Fraud: What the Vesttoo-Linked Hong Kong Case Shows Trade Finance Document Fraud can be difficult to detect when false financial instruments are supported by genuine bank emails, real employees and apparently credible institutional correspondence. On 9 September 2026, former China Construction Bank (Asia) relationship manager Lam Chun-yin pleaded guilty in Hong Kong’s […]

DBS Faces S$1.298 Billion 1MDB-Linked Claim: What It Shows About Long-Tail Asset Recovery 1MDB asset recovery has entered another contested phase in Singapore. On 9 September 2026, DBS Bank disclosed that liquidators of four companies had filed a Singapore High Court damages claim estimated at S$1.298 billion, or about US$1.03 billion. The companies are Affinity […]

Southern Thailand Security Risk: 7 Critical Considerations for Companies and Travellers Southern Thailand Security Risk remains an important consideration for companies, investors, legal teams, travellers and organisations operating near Thailand’s southern border. The long-running conflict in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, together with parts of southern Songkhla, has continued despite years of negotiations and peace initiatives. […]

Investment Scam Investigation Thailand: 7 Warning Signs From the Lucky Nine Case Investment Scam Investigation Thailand has become increasingly relevant as cross-border fraud networks use international companies, investment platforms and complex financial structures to attract victims and move funds between jurisdictions. A recent case involving a South Korean national arrested in Thailand demonstrates how investment […]

Russian Gold Sanctions Risk in Hong Kong: 7 Critical Checks for International Firms Russian Gold Sanctions Risk in Hong Kong is becoming increasingly important for international banks, refiners, insurers, commodity traders and multinational companies as Russian bullion flows shift toward Asian markets. According to the Financial Times, Hong Kong imported nearly 100 tonnes of Russian […]

Phuket Property Due Diligence: 7 Critical Checks Before Investing Phuket Property Due Diligence is becoming increasingly important for foreign investors, property buyers and business owners as authorities increase scrutiny of land use, beachfront developments and foreign-linked corporate structures. Phuket remains one of Thailand’s most attractive destinations for international investment. Luxury villas, hotels, restaurants, tourism businesses […]