It’s easy to think about financial crime as a problem of numbers: whether we consider sums of money laundered, amounts of assets stolen through fraud, or even fines imposed on businesses by the regulator, the negative consequences of financial crime can apparently all be summed up by a series of figures. Most articles on the topic feature some astonishing numbers (ideally it involves the word trillion) in the opening paragraph, and while the intention may be to shock the reader into paying attention, it can sometimes seem that this approach to defining the issue serves mainly to reinforce a particular way of thinking, which prioritises the money and finance elements of money laundering and other financial crime.
Clearly, these concerns do need to be at the forefront of our response to financial crime. Indeed, levels of public awareness around the immense economic damage that crimes like corruption and fraud inflict still seem far lower than they should be (the to fraud certainly suggests that financial crime is not yet a UK voter priority, although increasing attention is being paid to the problem). But only considering the economic harm of financial crimes can blind us to a deeper, darker reality, which is that these types of criminal practice, along with the predicate crimes that underpin them, are devastatingly harmful in ways that are much harder to quantify than purely monetary costs. To name but one of many examples, environmental crime, which has been a focus of Themis’s recent research in projects such as has been shown to obliterate entire ecosystems and communities, not simply inflict economic damage on them.
Perhaps the most pervasive and yet overlooked harm that financial crimes cause is the psychological effects they produce, not only in direct victims, but also more generally. These harms are not imaginary or immaterial – they have clear impacts and are well-attested. For example, a UK survey published in March 2024 found that 60% of fraud victims experienced mental health distress after being affected by financial crime. For over a quarter of respondents, psychological strain was reflected physically, in the form of weight fluctuation, headaches, and the onset of panic attacks. This reinforces the findings of a 2019 study on inhabitants of Madrid, which found that, for its research population, ‘the probability of having mental health needs increased and quality of life decreased as the economic impact of fraud on family finances increased’.
Even those who are not the direct victims of financial crime can be psychologically affected by it. In February 2024, Ghanaian psychologists published a study which found that, in the words of the authors, ‘witnessing corruption among state institutions and government officials, and the perception that the rich could influence these officials for personal gain, was strongly associated with depression and anxiety symptoms’. It is confronting that this study was conducted through a survey of university students, who had an average age of 22 - widespread financial crime, in the form of political corruption, is capable of undermining, if not fully destroying, the optimism and hope of whole generations of young people.
The changing nature of financial crime is set only to multiply and intensify its psychological impacts. For instance, measures to protect against payment fraud, such as the implementation of two-factor authentication for online bank account access, have driven criminals to engage in far more personal types of scams that can bypass system controls by making an apparently genuine social connection with a victim. These are best exemplified by so-called romance scams, which rely on the establishment of an intimate relationship between scammer and victim, as a previous Themis blog explains at length.
Essentially, romance scams involve a financial criminal deliberately targeting an individual’s most personal vulnerabilities to extract money from them, through long-term deception and manipulation. This has meant that the anguish and embarrassment often experienced by fraud victims can be felt even more deeply, sometimes with tragic consequences. In 2021, a 43-year-old man named Chris Leeds took his own life, apparently as the result of falling victim to two financially and emotionally devastating romance scams. Mr. Leeds’s brother described the impact of this on his family: “[Chris] was loved, no, adored by us all, and we miss him so, so much. It leaves such a hole in our lives.”
What cost can be assigned to a loss like this? What compensation can be made for the absence of a father, a brother, a son? How, equally, can we measure the generational impact that rampant corruption has on a nation’s ability to renew itself psychologically, when realistic hope appears impossible in the face of pervasive grift and theft?
The difficulty of offering any decent answer to these questions gives some explanation as to why the emotional and psychological harms of financial crime are much less frequently and seriously discussed than its economic impacts. This does not mean, however, that we should avoid these discussions. Rather, the realisation that financial crime wreaks immeasurable psychological damage should reaffirm the resolve and determination of all those involved in preventing it.
In fact, one could go further, and suggest that an understanding of the effects of financial crime on individual and general mental health should provoke an equivalently emotional reaction on our part. The fight against financial crime should be seen not just as a technical matter of securing and strengthening our economies (although it certainly is that), but also as a moral struggle against the criminals who inflict uncountable harms upon our planet and its people, that demands our impassioned engagement if meaningful victories are to be won.
It is a commitment to contribute to this struggle that drives the work of Themis. We aim to reduce the global impacts of financial crime through technological innovation, investigations and intelligence-gathering, training and research, and the provision of outsourced anti-financial crime services. This is also what animates the work of the Themis Foundation, an independent charity which Themis supports, whose mission is to support victims of financial crime through advocacy and the provision of grants to partner organisations.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.
Stay on top of the ever-changing financial crime landscape by accessing the latest information on emerging criminal techniques and the risks associated with carrying out business with particular industries or in particular jurisdictions.
Significant updates to the Land Conversion and Financial Crime Risk Assessment highlight links between environmental harm and financial crime. Cattle rustling in Nigeria and Cameroon now carries a red risk rating. Other updates cover carbon credit fraud, child labour, corruption in mining, and gold smuggling. A new toolkit search aids detection.
An overview of modern slavery, distinguishing between human trafficking, smuggling, and forced labor. It highlights the global prevalence of exploitation and the importance of understanding these definitions to combat such crimes.
Dubai’s booming real estate market, with over $160 billion in foreign ownership, is vulnerable to financial crimes like money laundering. The UAE now requires real estate professionals to report high-value transactions over AED 55,000 through the Real Estate Activity Report (REAR). Criminals, such as Daniel Kinahan, have exploited property investments to hide illicit funds. The article urges strict compliance and awareness to enhance financial transparency and prevent abuse within the sector.
Examines how digital platforms and cryptocurrencies facilitate human trafficking, allowing traffickers to operate anonymously and at scale, posing challenges for law enforcement.
Investigates how sanctions intersect with trade-based financial crimes in Hong Kong, highlighting the complexities businesses face in navigating regulatory compliance.
Financial crimes cause more than economic damage—they deeply affect mental health. A UK survey found 60% of fraud victims experienced emotional distress, with many reporting panic attacks and weight changes. In Ghana, exposure to corruption correlated with anxiety and depression in young adults. The blog calls for greater recognition of these hidden harms and urges a more empathetic approach to tackling financial crime, emphasizing both psychological and financial well-being.
Environmental crime disproportionately impacts women, worsening existing gender inequalities. Illegal logging and mining fuel gender-based violence and trafficking, especially in regions like the DRC and Peru. Women environmental defenders face targeted abuse, while climate change increases hardships for women reliant on natural resources. Consequences include water scarcity, child marriage, and health risks from extreme heat. Tackling environmental crime is essential for protecting women’s rights, safety, and health in vulnerable communities.
AI is transforming financial crime prevention by enhancing detection, streamlining compliance, and lowering costs. The blog highlights how generative AI and tools like graph neural networks improve due diligence and empower institutions. While criminals exploit AI for fraud, its ethical use—combined with human oversight—can democratise compliance and boost resilience. Themis advocates for embracing AI’s potential to fight financial crime effectively, focusing on collaboration between technology and human expertise.
Explores the application of fuzzy logic in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) systems, emphasising its role in improving name-matching accuracy and reducing false positives, thereby enhancing compliance efficiency.
This book focusses on the challenges faced by law enforcement in North West USA and in British Columbia to combat illegal logging, as well as those of the timber-industry communities established since the late 19th century to maintain meaningful and financially viable lives.
Lebanon’s economic collapse—driven by debt, corruption, and political instability—has led to hyperinflation and a reliance on cash, increasing exposure to financial crime. In October 2024, the FATF added Lebanon to its grey list for failing to meet anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. This listing hinders foreign investment and remittances. In response, Lebanon has pledged a two-year reform plan to improve financial transparency and rebuild international confidence.
The UK treats proceeds from foreign cannabis businesses as criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act, even if earned legally abroad. Despite exceptions for overseas conduct, cannabis-related activities typically exceed the 12-month sentencing threshold, making them ineligible. This legal grey area has prompted calls for reform. Until clarified, businesses and individuals handling foreign cannabis funds in the UK should act cautiously and seek legal guidance to avoid potential money laundering risks.
The UK’s 2023–2026 Economic Crime Plan commits £400 million to tackling financial crime, focusing on reducing money laundering, combating kleptocracy, and tackling fraud. It includes reforms to Companies House, cryptoasset regulation, sanctions enforcement, and fraud prevention. While progress has been made since 2019, challenges remain. Critics argue the plan lacks funding and urgency, but success depends on collaboration across government, private sector, and individuals to stop illicit finance and protect society.
Emphasising the critical role of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in combating financial crime. It advocates for fostering a culture of transparency within organisations, encouraging employees to report suspicious activities without fear of retaliation. Highlighting that 42% of fraud cases are detected through tip-offs, the article underscores the importance of internal reporting mechanisms. It also notes a significant increase in SARs and associated account freezes in the UK, demonstrating their effectiveness in disrupting illicit financial activities.
Corrupt elites continue exploiting the UK property market, using offshore structures and relatives to hide assets. Despite the 2022 Register of Overseas Entities, over 18,000 companies failed to comply or obscured ownership. Cases involving Russian and Azerbaijani figures reveal children owning multimillion-pound properties. Themis warns of widespread misuse of family ties and urges stronger enforcement. Updated FATF guidance and UK regulations aim to close transparency gaps and tackle hidden financial crime risks.
Corruption undermines sustainable development and fuels financial crimes, while also impeding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A joint analysis by Themis and Denominator found a strong inverse correlation: countries with lower corruption levels have higher DEI scores. Corruption disproportionately harms marginalised groups, especially women. Increasing diversity in leadership helps disrupt corrupt networks, though true progress requires democratic values, transparency, and inclusion. Emphasising DEI is crucial for combating corruption and promoting fair, inclusive societies.
A report by Hindenburg Research accuses India’s Adani Group of major corporate fraud, alleging stock manipulation, shell companies, and nepotism. The claims have halved Gautam Adani’s net worth and shaken investor confidence. Adani’s political ties raise concerns over cronyism in India. The scandal underscores the impact of financial crime on markets and highlights the critical need for robust due diligence to detect risks early and preserve economic integrity and transparency.
Corporate failures in supply chain due diligence have led to financial and reputational damage, with cases like Inditex and Sketchers linked to forced labour. The EU’s upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will mandate large companies to address human rights and environmental risks across operations and supply chains. While promising, the directive excludes financial institutions and SMEs, limiting impact. Themis offers tools to assess supplier risk and fight crimes like modern slavery.
On World Wildlife Day and CITES’ 50th anniversary, Themis reflects on the global fight against illegal wildlife trade (IWT), the world’s fourth most lucrative financial crime. Peru’s recent legislation classifying IWT as organised crime marks major progress, but tougher ivory bans have shifted demand to hippo teeth, threatening new species. Despite setbacks, forensic science, AI, and volunteer cyber-spotters are enhancing detection and prosecution, proving that innovation and global cooperation can counter IWT effectively.
Puppy smuggling in the UK has surged post-pandemic due to soaring demand and prices, making it a target for organised crime. Criminals exploit legal loopholes, importing underage, sick, or pregnant dogs under non-commercial regulations. Despite new legislation, weak enforcement and lack of visual checks persist. Case studies reveal networks laundering money through illicit breeding. Buyers must remain vigilant, and due diligence—like using Themis Search—can help uncover breeder criminal links and protect animal welfare.
Romance scams rose by 30% in 2022, with victims losing an average of £8,234—especially impacting men and those aged 65–74. Scammers exploit dating apps and social media, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to defraud victims. Themis urges individuals to conduct due diligence in dating, just as in business. Tools like Themis Search can uncover red flags, helping users avoid fraud and enabling dating platforms to protect users more effectively.
With crypto’s volatility and under-regulation under renewed scrutiny, its dual role in social good and financial crime is clear. While over $50 million in crypto has supported Ukraine, scammers and sanctioned actors also exploit it. Russia’s use of crypto to bypass sanctions, particularly via the UAE and the Central African Republic, raises serious concerns. Themis urges enhanced due diligence, sanctions screening, and compliance to mitigate crypto’s abuse in fraud, laundering, and geopolitical manipulation.
How the Russian invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated human trafficking risks, particularly for women and children. With over 2.5 million people fleeing Ukraine, traffickers exploit the chaos, offering false promises of shelter or work. Existing trafficking networks in Eastern Europe, especially in Moldova, Poland, and Italy, capitalize on the lack of coordination at border crossings. The OSCE recommends immediate measures to inform refugees about potential risks and deceptive offers.
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