More than 100 money laundering claims at Australian bank

Published Dec 15, 2017

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INTERNATIONAL - Australia's financial crimes watchdog has added more than 100 new claims against the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) for failing to comply with anti-money laundering laws, including late reporting of attempts to wire money as recently as August by an individual convicted of terror-

related offences.

The claims add to those included in a civil case that the watchdog filed in August, in which the watchdog accused CBA of several breaches of law including failing to identify, monitor and report money transfers over A$10000 (R102910), in contravention of the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing act.

“These allegations are very serious and reflect systemic non-compliance over about six years," Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac) chief executive, Nicole Rose, said in a statement.

CBA on Wednesday formally admitted to a range of allegations levelled against it, but disputed the number of contraventions. Yesterday, it said it would file an amended defence in due course.

“We take our anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations extremely seriously, and deeply regret any failure on our part to comply with these obligations,” CBA said yesterday.

File Image: The logo of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is displayed outside a branch in Sydney, Australia

The amended claims included attempts to wire money to Beirut by a person who was in 2005 convicted of terrorism-related activities which was not reported to Austrac within 24 hours, as required, according to a filing with Australia’s Federal Court.

“In spite of concluding on June 26, 2017 that potential terrorism financing was being conducted on CommBank Account 184, a stop was not put on CommBank Account 184 until August 9, 2017,” Austrac said in court documents. 

- REUTERS/ AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY 

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