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Article
Publication date: 31 January 2023

Fabian Teichmann, Sonia Ruxandra Boticiu and Bruno S. Sergi

The purpose of this study is to provide a firsthand perspective on the challenges and risks that can arise in arbitration proceedings.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a firsthand perspective on the challenges and risks that can arise in arbitration proceedings.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the concrete methods money launderers use, a qualitative study was conducted with 10 alleged money launderers and 18 prevention experts. The results were then tested quantitatively, and it was concluded that among money launderers, the highly regulated financial sector is less popular than other sectors.

Findings

Money launderers relocate to unregulated sectors or offshore banks to avoid being questioned by compliance officers. Therefore, it is necessary for arbitrators involved in commercial or investor–state arbitration to have the expertise to readily identify the issues raised by these criminal law concepts and provide answers.

Originality/value

This paper examines the intersection between the areas of international commercial arbitration and money laundering, bribery, as well as embezzlement. At the same time, it draws attention to the need to analyze compliance issues in arbitration proceedings.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2023

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann, Sonia Ruxandra Boticiu and Bruno S. Sergi

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the Wirecard scandal has highlighted the need for further reforms in Germany and Europe, exposing institutional and market oversight…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the Wirecard scandal has highlighted the need for further reforms in Germany and Europe, exposing institutional and market oversight weaknesses, particularly in terms of market integrity and investor protection.

Design/methodology/approach

To provide a comprehensive picture of the situation, this paper is based only on relevant studies, which focus on the topic of interest, namely, the context of the Wirecard collapse in June 2020. It also examines how internal and external governance and monitoring mechanisms failed to uncover major fraud within the German payments group earlier.

Findings

This study shows that this is by no means an isolated or unpredictable incident, and the allegations of accounting fraud had been known for several years, thanks to warnings from the Financial Times. In addition, the paper reviews the serious shortcomings revealed in the Wambach report. The report provided private details of the Wirecard audit and documents on the relationship between Wirecard management and the auditor. All of this can serve as a reference point for institutional and market oversight architecture in Germany and Europe and pave the way for future research.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by highlighting the implications of the Wirecard scandal and the lessons that can be learned from what was one of Germany’s biggest corporate scandals especially at a time when many are already affected by the impact of COVID-19 on the entire financial services industry.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2022

Fabian Teichmann, Sonia Ruxandra Boticiu and Bruno S. Sergi

This study aims to highlight the risks and threats posed by crowdfunding. It also looks at the new European Union regulation on crowdfunding, which is intended to give…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to highlight the risks and threats posed by crowdfunding. It also looks at the new European Union regulation on crowdfunding, which is intended to give participants confidence that there will be specific minimum regulatory standards to protect parties against mis-selling issues affecting some platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based upon a thorough literature review.

Findings

Crowdfunding is an essential alternative for financing commercial and non-commercial projects. Although it is a fast-growing digital financial tool, it can also be considered extremely risky. It can be an ideal platform for money laundering and can facilitate the financing of terrorism and fraud.

Originality/value

Crowdfunding is still in its infancy, so the literature has not yet sufficiently addressed the compliance risks of crowdfunding. As a result, there is a significant research gap. Thus, this study aims to analyse and propose suggestions to mitigate the risks that all crowdfunding stakeholders may face when deciding to participate in a crowdfunding activity or when they want to set one up.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2024

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann, Chiara Wittmann, Sonia Ruxandra Boticiu and Bruno Sergio S Sergi

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence that the occurrence of greenwashing has on the consumer perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence that the occurrence of greenwashing has on the consumer perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper observed the market indication that a consistent undermining of authentic commitment to CSR taints consumer perception. Investigating how the motivations behind greenwashing contribute to the presentation of CSR was the first means of examining the market forces. Consumer orientation was used as a guiding principle to consider the short- and long-term perspective of a greenwasher.

Findings

Individual instances of greenwashing contribute to a collective deterioration of marketplace trust in the promises of CSR. The negative influence on CSR is not isolated to the greenwashing perpetrator but casts a wider effect. The consequences of greenwashing are not isolated but widely dispersed.

Originality/value

Whilst much of the literature focuses on the stigmatisation of individual firms, it is crucial to note how marketplace trust is eroded. In addition, the perception of CSR-related regulations is for example influenced but rarely recognised as a consequence of greenwashing behaviour.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2023

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann, Chiara Wittmann and Bruno S. Sergi

The operational resilience of financial service providers is strained to an unprecedented extent following the Russian aggression in the Ukraine and the subsequent implementation…

Abstract

Purpose

The operational resilience of financial service providers is strained to an unprecedented extent following the Russian aggression in the Ukraine and the subsequent implementation of targeted economic sanctions. This paper aims to consider how operational resilience supports financial service providers in implementing sanctions.

Design/methodology/approach

The demand made of financial service providers by economic sanction is considered through the lens of operational resilience. Practical problems for the providers are aligned with economic sanctions policies.

Findings

A well-established system of operational resilience enables financial service providers to meet compliance requirements of economic sanctions with greater ease.

Originality/value

The literature does not credit operational resilience as a systemic capacity of corporations and rather presents it as a specialised feature. In addition, the role of the regulatory bodies is often dismissed despite directly inciting the practical problems faced.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 March 2023

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann, Sonia Ruxandra Boticiu and Bruno S. Sergi

This study aims to analyze the relationship between financial sustainability and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the relationship between financial sustainability and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, an extensive literature review on sustainability, FinTech, P2P lending and their associated risks was conducted using a fundamentally theoretical and descriptive methodology.

Findings

In addition, this study shows that finance can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon circular economy by allocating investments in sustainable projects and businesses. Moreover, FinTech P2P lending platforms can help to vitalize green digital finance by using the internet and information technology in the lending market. Nevertheless, anonymous lending and borrowing ventures can produce potential risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud risk and information asymmetry.

Originality/value

Sustainable finance remains an emerging and relevant area; however, the literature has not sufficiently addressed compliance concerns. To address this gap, this study aims to contribute to the literature by analyzing the link between sustainable finance and P2P platforms and drawing attention to the compliance risks listed above.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 May 2023

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann, Sonia Ruxandra Boticiu and Bruno S. Sergi

This study aims to review the current EU approach to regulating crypto assets. It highlights the key points, opportunities and risks of the MiCA regulation, which is designed to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to review the current EU approach to regulating crypto assets. It highlights the key points, opportunities and risks of the MiCA regulation, which is designed to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets in the EU.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, the authors extensively reviewed the literature and reports from several advisory and watchdog bodies and international organizations.

Findings

Although MiCA is an ambitious piece of legislation, there are still many unresolved issues and questions that the new regulation raises. Controversially several items have also been excluded from the MiCA regulations, including decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens unless they qualify under the existing cryptocurrency categories, as well as central bank digital currencies.

Originality/value

This study also addresses the Liechtenstein Token Act Regulation, which is considered to have served as a model for the EU MiCA Directive and the regulation of cryptocurrencies at the European level.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 May 2023

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann and Chiara Wittmann

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the practical problems which Swiss financial service providers face following the government’s decision to implement economic sanctions.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the practical problems which Swiss financial service providers face following the government’s decision to implement economic sanctions.

Design/methodology/approach

The practical problems of implementation are based on the identified methods of circumvention in the first author’s empirical research on the mechanisms of money laundering.

Findings

Secure anti-money laundering mechanisms promote the smooth implementation of sanctions. Despite the novelty of specific sanctions requirement, it is possible to have a supportive framework in place. Also, there remain a number of practical hurdles for Swiss banks to overcome, including the pressure on sanction alignment and the significant threat of noncompliance.

Originality/value

The sanctions imposed on Russia in 2022 are largely examined either from a broad political perspective or from the finite details of a business consultancy perspective. This paper aims to reconcile both perspectives to illustrate how the concrete problems of sanction implementation becomes evident in the wider political picture.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2022

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann and Chiara Wittmann

This paper aims to elucidate the practical and theoretical mechanisms which contribute to the perception of an economic sanction’s effectiveness as a foreign policy tool.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to elucidate the practical and theoretical mechanisms which contribute to the perception of an economic sanction’s effectiveness as a foreign policy tool.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is divided into three sections, the first two of which are heavily based on the current academic literature and media presentation of sanctions. The third section is rooted in the empirical approach presented in the first author’s exploratory work, Methods of Money Laundering (2021).

Findings

Economic sanctions cannot be perceived as effective when the standard for efficacy remains undefined and sanction circumvention remains feasible. The public perception of sanctions is characterized by a series of assumptions as well as conflict foreign policy objectives, which cultivate an economic theory that is benefited by a practical exploration of the routes of circumvention.

Originality/value

The efficacy of economic sanctions is not a stable equation, but rather the application of an economic tool which is dependent on its context. Paths of sanction circumvention remain open due to weaknesses in compliance regulation. These paths continue to undermine the credibility of sanctions and, ultimately, their efficacy.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 January 2020

Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann and Marie-Christin Falker

This paper aims to illustrate how illegally obtained funds are laundered through raw diamonds in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate how illegally obtained funds are laundered through raw diamonds in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify specific money laundering techniques involving raw diamonds, this study used a qualitative content analysis of data collected from 60 semi-standardized interviews with both criminals and prevention experts and a quantitative survey of 200 compliance officers.

Findings

Raw diamonds are extraordinarily suitable for money laundering in European German-speaking countries. In particular, they may be used in all three stages of the laundering process, namely, placement, layering and integration.

Research limitations/implications

Because the qualitative findings are based on semi-standardized interviews, their insights are limited to the perspectives of the 60 interviewees.

Practical implications

Identifying gaps in existing anti-money laundering mechanisms should provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with valuable insights into how criminals operate.

Originality/value

While prior studies focus on the methods used by organizations to combat money laundering and how to improve anti-money laundering measures, this paper investigates how money launderers operate to avoid detection, thereby illustrating authentic experiences. Its findings provide valuable insights into the minds of money launderers and combines criminal perspective with that of prevention experts.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

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