NewzIntel.com

Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI: Hidden Tax Challenges for Small Businesses: FreshBooks 2025 Tax Trend Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, CANADA, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreshBooks, a leader in cloud-based accounting software for small businesses and accountants, released its in-depth report on how small business owners are thinking about their taxes in 2025. The report uncovers trends among American small business owners on what’s going behind the scenes about their tax habits, fears, and what they do to procrastinate. 

    “At FreshBooks, we understand that tax season can be a source of stress for many small business owners. Our ‘2025 Small Business Tax Trends: Procrastinator or Planner’ report highlights that only 26% of small businesses feel confident about their tax submissions,” said Faye Pang, Chief Growth Officer at FreshBooks. “The data reveals a concerning trend: many small businesses, the backbone of our economy, are essentially ‘winging it’ when it comes to tax submissions. This may lead to costly penalties and unnecessary financial risk. It’s why having an accounting solution like FreshBooks is so important – we keep the hard parts of running a business, easy.”

    Key Takeaways 

    • Confidence gap: Only 26% of small business owners and freelancers feel completely confident about their taxes.
    • Tax preparation methods: Small business owners and freelancers primarily manage their taxes through software (35%) or by hiring accountants (33%).
    • Top challenges: The biggest tax-related headaches include organizing receipts (35%), understanding complex tax laws (33%), and identifying proper deductions (32%).
    • Procrastination trends: While 78% claim to start tax preparation early, 51% of Gen Z self-employed individuals wait until the last minute.
    • Tax compliance: Tax compliance is primarily motivated by fear, with 46% concerned about penalties and 37% worried about potential audits.

    Read the full report.

    Methodology: 
    FreshBooks designed and conducted an online survey of approximately 1,300 self-employed individuals, freelancers, and small business owners from the United States. Participants were sourced through an online panel representing a diverse range of small businesses across various industries, revenue levels, and employment sizes. The study examined tax preparation habits, challenges, and attitudes across demographic segments.

    The survey’s margin of error is +/- 2.7% at 95% confidence.

    About FreshBooks

    FreshBooks is a leading cloud-based SaaS accounting software platform built for small business owners and consistently ranks #1 for ease of use. With an emphasis on keeping things simple and stress-free wherever possible, FreshBooks makes the hard parts of running a business easier. With Freshbooks, small businesses can get paid faster and spend less time on administrative tasks and paperwork, so they can focus on what they do best — growing their businesses.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE supports Armenia’s efforts to combat cybercrime

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE supports Armenia’s efforts to combat cybercrime

    Participants at a study visit on the development of a cybercrime database for a delegation of Armenian practitioners, Paris, 20 March 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    The OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), in co-operation with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, organized a study visit on the development of a cybercrime database for a delegation of Armenian practitioners from 18 to 20 March 2025 in Paris, France.
    The study visit was a crucial step towards Armenia’s goal of developing a robust cybercrime database in line with international good practices and interagency co-operation.
    The event brought together key Armenian institutions involved in cybercrime prevention and investigation, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Investigative Committee, Prosecutor General’s Office, National Police, Ministry of High-Tech Industry and other relevant agencies. Participants engaged in discussions with their French counterparts on international good practices, technical and legal frameworks for cybercrime databases, and strategies to strengthen cyber resilience.
    During the visit, the Armenian delegation met with officials from the French Ministry of Justice, the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI), and the Cyberspace Command (COMCYBER) of the Ministry of the Interior. They also visited the Cyber Campus in the La Défense district, where they explored data-driven approaches to cybercrime investigations, co-operation between law enforcement and private sector stakeholders, and innovative approaches to combating digital threats.
    “The cyber domain has become a field of conflict, whether through information manipulation or its exploitation by criminal networks. It is crucial to combat these threats by developing capacities and strengthening international co-operation,” said Pascale Vincent, Head of the Arms Control and OSCE Department at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
    Alexandra Davin, Magistrate and Head of the Cybercrime Task Force at the Specialized Criminal Justice Division, highlighted the economic impact of cybercrime, particularly ransomware attacks. “Ransomware is projected to cost a total of $265 billion per year by 2031, a staggering increase from the estimated $5 billion in 2017 and $325 million in 2015,” she said.
    This initiative is part of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Capacity Building on Combating and Preventing Cybercrime in Armenia” and is funded by France.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Generative AI is Making it Easier for Fraudsters to Fool the Public

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new Commodity Futures Trading Commission customer advisory says generative artificial intelligence is making it increasingly easier for fraudsters to create convincing scams. 
    According to the latest Office of Customer Education and Outreach customer advisory, Criminals Increasing Use of Generative AI to Commit Fraud, crooks are using AI to create fake images, voices, videos, live-streaming video chats, social media profiles, and malicious websites designed to look like legitimate financial trading platforms.  
    The OCEO advisory describes how fraudsters use AI to create fraudulent identifications with phony photos and videos that can appear very real if one is not familiar with the advances of AI technology. The fraudsters also are using AI to forge government or financial documents. An FBI public service announcement also warns the public about how criminals are using AI to commit fraud and how the technology is being used in relationship investment scams. 
    “Fraudsters can use new technologies to mask their identities, not only in still photographs, say, in social media profiles, but also in video chats that alter their facial features and voices to match,” said OCEO Director Melanie Devoe. “Identifying real from fake can be difficult. The best defense is to never give money to people you only meet online.” 
    The advisory provides specific actions people should take to protect themselves, including strengthening social media account privacy settings and keeping personal or sensitive information private, especially from people they only know online or callers using phone numbers they don’t recognize. 
    About the Office of Customer Education and Outreach
    OCEO is dedicated to helping customers protect themselves from fraud or violations of the Commodity Exchange Act through the research and development of effective financial education materials and initiatives. OCEO engages in outreach and education to retail investors. The office also frequently partners with federal and state regulators as well as consumer protection groups. The CFTC’s full repository of customer education materials can be found at: cftc.gov/LearnAndProtect.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Colombian Navy Personnel Extradited To The United States For Their Role In Selling Locations Of Colombian Navy Drug Interdiction Vessels To International Drug Traffickers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced the extraditions of Jair Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela (54) and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez (32), both from Colombia, to stand trial on an indictment for conspiracy to distribute cocaine having reasonable cause to believe it would be unlawfully imported into the United States. Alvarez Valenzuela and Diaz Martinez were extradited to the United States on March 13, 2025, from Colombia. If convicted, both defendants face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. 

    According to the indictment, Alvarez Valenzuela and Diaz Martinez were former employees of the Colombian Navy. In exchange for money from drug traffickers they recruited active-duty members of the Colombian Navy to secretly plant global positioning system (GPS) tracking devices in Colombian Navy vessels. Transnational Criminal Organizations used the location data derived from these tracking devices to direct vessels filled with cocaine bound for the United States around Colombian Navy ships and patrols. 

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi- jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

    The specific mission of the OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations involved in large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and related activities. The OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigation. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions of these defendants. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Stoia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kansas Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 188 months in prison after federal law enforcement officers discovered child sexual abuse materials at his home.

    According to court documents, Scott Warren Vass, 57, of Arkansas City pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. 

    In April 2023, while executing a search warrant at Vass’ home, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents seized multiple devices belonging to Vass containing child sexual abuse materials.  Further investigation revealed several of Vass’ Google accounts also contained sexually explicit depictions of minors under 12 years of age.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon prosecuted the case.

    Project Safe Childhood
    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bible Hill — Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit charge man with Murder

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (NEN MCU) has charged a man with Murder associated to a death that occurred in September 2023.

    On September 17, 2023, Colchester County District RCMP responded to a report of a sudden death at a home on Wild Chance Drive in Bible Hill. The victim was identified as a 32-year-old woman of Bible Hill, and her death was believed to be suspicious.

    That morning, a Bible Hill man who was known to the victim was safely arrested at the Bible Hill RCMP Detachment and later released without charges.

    On March 17, 2025, the same man, 31-year-old Richard Craig Barrett, was charged with Murder (first degree) and investigators can confirm the homicide was an incident of intimate partner violence.

    “Over the course of this complex investigation, officers collected a significant amount of forensic evidence and spoke with many witnesses who shared valuable information,” says Cpl. Sandy Matharu of the Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit. “We appreciated the patience of the victim’s loved ones as investigators conducted a thorough examination and evaluation of the evidence, enabling us to put together a comprehensive investigation that supports this murder charge.”

    Barrett appeared in Truro Provincial Court on March 18 and was remanded in custody pending future court appearances.

    The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the NEN MCU with assistance from the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service and RCMP Forensic Identification Section.

    Nova Scotia RCMP encourages anyone experiencing, or at risk of, intimate partner violence to reach out. Support is available across Nova Scotia and can be accessed by dialing 211, calling the provincial toll-free line at 1-855-225-0220, or visiting Nova Scotia 211 online. You can access support anonymously.

    Our thoughts continue to be with the victim’s loved ones, and the community, at this difficult time.

    File # 2023-1382910

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Van Zandt Electrical Contractor Sentenced in Wire Fraud Conspiracy

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    TYLER, Texas – A Canton man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    James Derr, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle on March 18, 2025.  Derr was also ordered to pay $2,615,585.93 in restitution.

    According to information presented in court, Derr, an electrical contractor with J&D Electric, was involved in a conspiracy with Rebekah Mitchell and Brittany Burton to divert equipment for their own financial gain.  Between March of 2017 and May of 2021, Mitchell used her position at Schneider Electric in Athens to steal Schneider Electric circuit breakers from their inventory and direct the shipment of the stolen circuit breakers to locations where Derr could take possession of them.  Mitchell paid Burton to use her position at J&K Storage in Flint to receive shipments of stolen Schneider Electric circuit breakers at J&K Storage.  Mitchell created fraudulent documentation in the purchase order and/or bill of lading logistics systems depicting fictional customers that resulted in the shipment of Schneider Electric circuit breakers to locations that she and Derr agreed upon, which included, on approximately 11 occasions in 2017 and 2018, J&K Storage. Derr took possession of the Schneider Electric products at various locations and sold them to various buyers. Derr shared the proceeds of these sales with Mitchell in consideration for her role in the conspiracy.  As a result, Derr, Mitchell and Burton caused Schneider Electric to suffer a financial loss of approximately $2,615,585.93.

    On February 18, 2025, Mitchell was sentenced to 34 months in federal prison and was also ordered to pay $2.6 million in restitution to Schneider Electric. Burton pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy and is currently awaiting sentencing.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Tyler Field Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Noble.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ministerial meeting stresses need for strengthened international cooperation to accelerate just and inclusive energy transition for all in the Global South

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Access to electricity worldwide has increased steadily since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, to reach 90.7% of the world’s population in 2023 (up from 84.5% in 2015) while the world’s population rose from 7.44bn to 8.06bn in 2023. 

    Hundreds of millions of people have gained access to electricity, enjoying a better life through better access to education, health, business opportunities, mobility, etc. However, some 750 million people, with 600 million in sub-Saharan Africa, still lack access.  

    28 Ministers from Africa, Asis and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, met last week at two Ministerial gatherings at the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Global Forum in Bridgetown, Barbados, to advance climate resilience for populations in the Global South. 

    In their Communiqué, Ministers underscored the importance of enhanced global cooperation to support the growing energy needs in developing countries while addressing climate vulnerability.  

    The Communiqué also stresses the role of regional cooperation frameworks and reiterates commitments from the Dar es Salaam Declaration (January 2025) and highlights initiatives such as Mission 300 (M300), aiming to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030.   

    UNFC and UNRMS: supporting sustainable and just energy transitions 

    The Communiqué references the UN Framework Classification for Resources and the UN Resources Management System – endorsed by ECOSOC – as vital mechanisms to help countries translate their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments under the Paris Agreement into action.   

    UNFC and UNRMS are key tools in managing critical raw materials, promoting circular economy practices, and aligning financing strategies with national energy transition plans.  

    UNFC and UNRMS offer countries methodologies to encompass social and equity dimensions, including youth participation and workforce development, into energy transition plans, ensuring intergenerational equity and sustainable financing models. 

    By advocating for stronger policies, inclusive decision-making, and sustainable financing, UNECE’s energy work supports equitable and resilient energy transitions. 

    The dialogue on just and inclusive energy transitions will continue during the 20th session of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition (CMMJT), where experts will further discuss pathways to strengthen international cooperation in support of a fair and sustainable transition. 

    The press release is available here. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Continued Progress Driving Down Gun Violence

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that gun violence in communities participating in the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative declined during the first two months of the year after reaching its lowest level on record in 2024. Shooting incidents with injury decreased 18 percent in January and February, compared to those two months in 2024, and 18 fewer individuals were harmed by gunfire. The Governor’s Fiscal Year 26 Executive Budget Proposal continues record-level funding to further improve public safety and invests $370 million to support local and state law enforcement initiatives, youth employment programs and community-based organizations that increase opportunity for individuals and families and strengthen neighborhoods.

    “Reducing gun violence and implementing programs to make our streets safer is critical to ensuring that all New Yorkers feel safe and are protected from harm,” Governor Hochul said. “The initiatives we’ve implemented to eliminate gun crimes are working, and we will continue to invest in law enforcement and community based programs until each and every New Yorker is free from gun violence.”

    The 18 percent decline reflects 61 shooting incidents with injury reported in January and February 2025, compared to 74 during those two months last year, and the number of shooting victims decreased by 21 percent (68 vs. 86). The 28 police departments participating in GIVE report roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of violent crime reported outside New York City.

    The Rochester and Buffalo police departments each reported 10 fewer individuals injured by gun violence, the most significant decreases reported. Shooting incidents with injury, shooting victims and shooting homicide data for each of the 28 GIVE agencies are available on the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) website. In addition to the collective decrease in gun violence in GIVE communities, the New York City Police Department reported a 27 percent (111 vs. 151) decrease in shooting incidents through March 16, 2025.

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Governor Hochul’s commitment to our law enforcement and community partners is unmatched. She has provided record-level funding for GIVE, our SNUG Street Outreach program, alternatives to incarceration programs and re-entry services, among others, allowing our local partners to address not only the consequences of crime, but its causes. I thank the Governor for her ongoing support and our partners across the State for their tireless efforts to improve public safety and strengthen communities.”

    New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “I appreciate Governor Hochul’s leadership on this issue and for providing the necessary resources to reduce gun violence and build safer communities. By working together, addressing the causes, providing education and support services, we are taking action to avert the senseless tragedies that result from gun violence. We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners on this integral mission to keep New York State safe.”

    Preliminary index crime reported by police departments and sheriffs’ offices outside of New York City showed an 8 percent decrease from January through September 2024 vs. 2023, the most current data available. There are seven index crime categories that are used to gauge overall crime trends: four violent (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and three property (burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft). Violent crime declined by three percent and property, eight percent. In the five boroughs, data reported by the NYPD showed a 2 percent reduction in 2024 compared to 2023.

    To date, State Police have seized 318 guns in 2025. In 2024 and 2023 respectively, State Police seized 1,706 and 1,463 guns.

    Governor Hochul’s $370 million investment to reduce and prevent gun violence and strengthen communities disproportionately impacted by crime includes, but is not limited to, the following programs and initiatives administered by DCJS:

    • $50 million through the Law Enforcement Technology grant program, which provides funding so police departments and sheriffs’ offices can purchase new equipment and technology to modernize their operations and more effectively solve and prevent crime.
    • $36 million for GIVE, which funds the 28 police departments and district attorneys’ offices, probation departments and sheriffs’ offices in 21 counties outside of New York City.
    • $21 million for the SNUG Street Outreach Program, which operates in 14 communities across the State: Albany, the Bronx, Buffalo, Hempstead, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Wyandanch and Yonkers. The program uses a public health approach to address gun violence by identifying the source, interrupting transmission and treating individuals, families and communities affected by the violence.
    • $18 million in continued support for the State’s unique, nationally recognized Crime Analysis Center Network, and $13 million in new funding to establish the New York State Crime Analysis and Joint Special Operations Command Headquarters, a strategic information, technical assistance and training hub for 11 Centers in the State’s network, and enhance existing partnerships and expand information sharing with the New York State Intelligence Center operated by the State Police, the locally run Nassau County Lead Development Center, and the State’s Joint Security Operations Center, which focuses on protecting the State from cyber threats.
    • $20 million for Project RISE (Respond, Invest, Sustain, Empower) in 10 communities to support mentoring, mental health services, restorative practices, trust building, employment and education support and youth development activities, among other programs and services that address trauma resulting from long-term exposure to violence, build resilience and strengthen youth, families and neighborhoods.

    The New York State Police, the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the State Office of Victim Services also will receive funding through that $370 million allocation.

    In the Fiscal Year 26 Executive Budget Proposal, Governor Hochul allocated an additional $35 million for the next round of the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grants to increase safety and security of organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission; nearly $41 million to improve the public safety response to intimate partner violence and improve services for victims and survivors; and doubling funding for rape crisis centers to $12.8 million.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: East Liberty Man Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Prison for Series of Bank Robberies

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 110 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Rashon Coleman, 31, of the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

    According to information presented to the Court, on April 10, 2023, a subject later identified as Coleman walked into a bank, shoved a white plastic grocery bag appearing to contain a gun at the teller, and demanded $50,000 in cash. Coleman left the bank with approximately $904 given to him by the teller. The following day, Coleman entered a different bank nearby the first and shouted at the tellers to give him all of the money. Upon receiving money from one of the tellers, Coleman ordered everyone to the ground, threatening to shoot them all if they did not comply. He examined the cash he’d received from the teller and then demanded more, threatening to shoot one of the tellers in the head if they didn’t follow his instructions. A teller went to the vault and returned with additional cash, which she gave to Coleman, who then fled through the bank’s front door, this time, with approximately $4,344.

    Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers responding to the alarm noticed Coleman, who matched the description of the robbery suspect, walking down the street from the bank. The officers stopped Coleman and found him in possession of a bag containing a toy gun and a large amount of cash. Coleman later confessed to robbing both banks, and subsequently was charged with the two robberies in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, where he was granted alternative housing at a community detention facility.

    On May 20, 2023, Coleman was granted permission to leave that facility for a short period but failed to return at the designated time. The same day, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers responded to a bank robbery in progress at the same bank that Coleman had robbed on April 10, 2023, where the subject, again later determined to be Coleman, had walked in yelling that he was robbing the bank and instructing everyone to get down. He demanded $20,000 in cash and threatened to start “popping” people if he didn’t get the money, also forcing one of the bank’s employees to open a security door leading to the vault that Coleman had been unable to breach during his first robbery of the bank. Coleman fled with more than $25,000 and a short time later was found by police inside a nearby store, where he was positively identified and had a bag containing the cash.

    Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Coleman.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Attorney Sentenced to 102 Months for an Attempted Bombing Near the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

               WASHINGTON – Christopher Rodriguez, 45, of Panama City, Fla., was sentenced today to 102 months in federal prison for the September 2023 attempted bombing near the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C., and for the November 2022 bombing of a satirical sculpture depicting communist leaders Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong in San Antonio, Texas.

               The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division. 

               Rodriguez, a licensed Florida attorney and a U.S. Army veteran, pleaded guilty August 2, 2024, to damaging property occupied by a foreign government, explosive materials—malicious damage to federal property, and receipt or possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device). 

               In addition to the 102-month prison term, U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg ordered Rodriguez to serve three years of supervised release.

               According to court documents, on September 23-24, 2023, Rodriguez drove from his home in Panama City, Fla., to Northern Virginia with a rifle and 15 pounds of explosive material. On the way, he stopped in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, Va., to buy a black backpack, nitrile gloves, and a burner cell phone. On September 24, he parked his car in Arlington, Va., and used the burner phone to arrange for a taxi to drive him to within a few blocks of the Chinese Embassy. Between midnight and 3 a.m. near the back wall of the Embassy in Northwest Washington, Rodriguez placed the explosives-filled backpack next to a streetlight. Rodriguez then attempted to detonate the explosives by shooting at the backpack with a rifle. Rodriguez missed his target, and the device failed to detonate. Law enforcement officers later recovered the backpack containing explosive material, three shell casings, and bullet fragments from the ground along the outer perimeter wall of the Chinese Embassy. Impact marks were found on the Embassy wall near the bullet fragments behind the backpack.

               According to court documents, DNA obtained from the black backpack was found to be consistent with DNA evidence obtained from a previous arrest of Rodriguez in June 2021 in California. During the California incident, Rodriguez possessed three firearms and apparent explosive material consistent with the explosives used during the Chinese Embassy attack. DNA evidence obtained from Rodriguez pursuant to a buccal swab warrant later confirmed this DNA match.

             Between November 5 and 7, 2022, according to court documents, Rodriguez rented a vehicle in Pensacola, Fla., and drove to San Antonio, Texas. At about 2:25 a.m. on November 7, Rodriguez scaled an eight-foot fence to enter a courtyard on the 300 block of West Commerce Street, San Antonio. Inside the courtyard, he placed two canisters of explosive materials at the base of a satirical steel sculpture titled “Miss Mao Trying to Poise Herself at the Top of Lenin’s Head.” At 2:30 a.m., Rodriguez used a rifle to shoot at the canisters at the base of the statue, causing an explosion that caused damages of at least $325,000 to the Miss Mao sculpture.

    Law enforcement arrested Rodriguez on November 4, 2023, in Lafayette, Louisiana. He has been held since that date. 

               This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Washington Field Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Florida, the Western District of Louisiana, and the Western District of Texas; the ATF’s Tampa, New Orleans, and Houston Field Divisions; the FBI’s Washington and San Antonio Field Offices; the San Antonio Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Secret Service, Uniformed Division and Foreign Missions Detective Unit; the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and the Metropolitan Police Department. 

                The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jolie F. Zimmerman and Stuart D. Allen. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maeghan Mikorski and Kelly Stephenson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McCarthy.

    23cr392

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Providence Man Admits to Trafficking Fentanyl-Laced Counterfeit Pills

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    PROVIDENCE – A Providence man admitted to a federal judge today that he trafficked more than 2,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Michael Sellers, 64, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    In pleading guilty, Sellers admitted that on at least two occasions in November 2023, he sold more than 1,000 counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills to an individual while under surveillance by FBI agents.

    On November 16, 2023, Sellers provided an individual with 1,027 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills in exchange for $2,500 in cash. On November 24, 2023, he provided the same individual with 1,024  fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills in exchange for $2,500. In each instance, the pills were quickly seized by law enforcement.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter I. Roklan and Stacey A. Erickson.

    The matter was investigated by the FBI.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Real Estate CEO Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Manipulating WeWork Stock with Fraudulent Tender Offer Scheme

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JONATHAN MOYNAHAN LARMORE was sentenced today to five years in prison for manipulating the stock price of WeWork, Inc. (“WeWork”) with a fake tender offer designed to fraudulently inflate the value of LARMORE’s own WeWork securities. LARMORE’s sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who also presided over a one-week trial after which LARMORE was convicted of one count of tender offer fraud and one count of securities fraud.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Jonathan Larmore treated the stock market like a game he could rig to obtain instant riches at the expense of innocent investors. As today’s sentence shows, this Office will continue to advocate for significant penalties against those who manipulate our markets and defraud investors.”

    According to the evidence presented in court during the trial:

    LARMORE is the former CEO of Arciterra Companies LLC, a real estate investment and management firm. In the fall of 2023, LARMORE perpetrated a scheme to use a false and fraudulent tender offer to manipulate the stock price of WeWork, a co-working space company that was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

    To execute his scheme, LARMORE created a sham real estate investment firm called Cole Capital Funds LLC (“Cole Capital”). LARMORE then spent more than $775,000 buying tens of thousands of cheap, short-dated, out-of-the-money WeWork call options and hundreds of thousands of shares of WeWork common stock. On November 3, 2023, LARMORE published a fake press release announcing that Cole Capital proposed to acquire 51% of all outstanding shares owned by minority shareholders of WeWork at a more-than-700% premium in an all-cash offer worth more than $77 million. At the time, WeWork was on the verge of bankruptcy. The press release itself contained a number of false and misleading claims about LARMORE and Cole Capital, and their ability to carry through with the purported tender offer.

    In fact, neither LARMORE nor Cole Capital had the intent or ability to execute the announced tender offer. Instead, LARMORE intended for news of the tender offer to fraudulently inflate WeWork’s share price and, thereby, to increase the value of LARMORE’s newly acquired WeWork call options and shares.

    Approximately one minute after LARMORE’s press release about his fraudulent tender offer was published, WeWork’s share price quickly increased during after-hours trading by more than 70% and continued to rise to a high of more than 150% over the stock price prior to the publication of the press release. The WeWork call options LARMORE purchased could have made him tens of millions of dollars with a big enough spike to WeWork’s stock price, but the vast majority of the options expired before LARMORE could publish his manipulative press release. The following Monday, November 6, 2023, WeWork filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. LARMORE never followed through on his fraudulent tender offer.

    *               *                *

    In addition to the prison term, LARMORE, 51, of Syracuse, Indiana, was sentenced to three years of supervised release during which the defendant must perform 500 hours of community service.

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Podolsky also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which filed a civil action against LARMORE, for its assistance and cooperation in the investigation.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam S. Hobson, Sarah Mortazavi, and Justin V. Rodriguez are in charge of the prosecution. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: The Terrorist Screening Center Changes Name to the Threat Screening Center

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    The FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) has been renamed the Threat Screening Center to reflect an expanded mission. For more than 20 years, the Terrorist Screening Center has been the U.S. government’s lead terrorist watchlisting entity. As national security threats continue to evolve, the TSC has expanded beyond terrorism watchlisting and screening to address other national security threats, like transnational organized crime (TOC).

    With the recent designation of eight drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), the TSC is well positioned to significantly increase its available identity information on transnational organized crime actors. To reflect this broader mission and increased focus on watchlisting FTO-designated TOC members, the TSC has changed its name to the Threat Screening Center.

    “Border security is essential to protecting our country and providing safer communities for our citizens,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We’re expanding the watchlist to include cartel and gang members from newly designated foreign terrorist organizations. This change will assist our law enforcement and Intelligence Community partners as we all work together toward the goal of crushing violent crime within our borders.”

    “With expanding and growing threats, we are reflecting that in our name,” added TSC Director Michael Glasheen. “Transnational organized crime watchlisting plays an important role in U.S. security interests while we continue to prevent terrorist attacks. The name change is a signal to the American people that the TSC is a powerful tool that can be used to fight all national security threats.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Acting Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti Delivers Remarks Following Verdict in San Antonio Human Smuggling Case

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Thank you U.S. Attorney Leachman for the Western District of Texas, Craig Laraby, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s San Antonio Field Office, and everyone for being here. My name is Matthew Galeotti, and I am the Acting Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

    Today is a momentous day in the Department’s relentless fight against the leaders, organizers, and key facilitators of human smuggling networks – thanks to the work of our partners in the Western District of Texas and at ICE-HSI.

    As Attorney General Pamela Bondi has announced, the Department is committed to the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations. To help meet this goal, the Department is laser-focused on dismantling human smuggling networks. Working with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and law enforcement partners, the Criminal Division is on the front lines of that fight.

    You have already heard from U.S. Attorney Leachman on the extraordinary work in this case, but let me take a moment to recognize the victims and the extraordinary efforts of the prosecution team that bring us all here today.

    As you heard, in June 2022, 64 aliens, from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico were loaded into a tractor-trailer without functioning air conditioning by members of an alien smuggling organization for the three-hour drive from Laredo to San Antonio, ultimately leading to the deaths of 53 people, including children and one pregnant woman. Eleven others were hospitalized.

    Today, two of the people responsible, Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega, were held accountable for this tragedy by a United States jury. In total, eight members of this alien smuggling organization have now been convicted for their roles in this horrific event. This investigation and prosecution are the direct result of the hard work of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas and the dedicated special agents of Homeland Security Investigations, in close coordination with Joint Task Force Alpha and the Criminal Division.

    The crimes committed — and the tragedy caused — by this type of pernicious alien smuggling organization epitomize why the Attorney General is elevating Joint Task Force Alpha to be run directly out of her Office. The goal is to eliminate the scourge of human smuggling.

    Joint Task Force Alpha’s mission is to target and prosecute the leaders and organizers of transnational criminal organizations engaged in human smuggling and human trafficking throughout the Americas.

    Since its creation, Joint Task Force Alpha has tirelessly pursued significant smuggling indictments and extradition efforts across the country. In just the past seven weeks, the Department has charged more than 760 defendants involved in human smuggling.

    And we’re not done – not even by a long shot.

    In fact, we are continuing to prosecute those responsible for this mass casualty alien smuggling event.

    Just yesterday, Rigoberto Miranda-Orozco made his first court appearance here in the Western District of Texas after his extradition from Guatemala. His detention hearing is on Thursday. This Joint Task Force Alpha case will be prosecuted by trial attorneys from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant United States Attorneys from the Western District of Texas.

    Miranda-Orozco was indicted and has been charged for allegedly conspiring with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of four aliens from Guatemala through Mexico, and ultimately, to the United States. He allegedly charged the aliens, or their families and friends, approximately $12,000 to $15,000 for the journey. The indictment alleges that three of these aliens passed away in the tractor-trailer in June 2022, and the fourth suffered serious bodily injury. For his actions, Miranda-Orozco is charged with six counts related to migrant smuggling resulting in death or serious bodily injury and he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

    This extradition sends the message that the Department of Justice will pursue human smugglers who violate U.S. law no matter where they are.

    I want to express my deep appreciation to our key law enforcement partners who built this investigation: HSI San Antonio and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center; U.S. Border Patrol; ATF; the San Antonio Police Department; and the Palestine Police Department. I would also like to thank our Criminal Division trial attorneys from the Office of International Affairs and resident legal advisors from the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) who provided significant assistance in coordinating with our foreign partners.

    I also want to thank our foreign law enforcement partners, especially Guatemalan law enforcement, for their assistance with this investigation and extradition.

    As I mentioned, the Department is vigorously prosecuting human smugglers to the fullest extent of the law.

    The Department of Justice has been working with members of Congress to advance a proposal to increase the sentencing guidelines in such cases to accurately account for the full scope of harm that can result from human smuggling.

    People around the country may not be familiar with the prevalence and seriousness of human smuggling cases. This case exemplifies why we all must pay attention. Human smuggling is dehumanizing, dangerous and it can be deadly. Smuggling victims are often subject to rape, kidnapping, extortion, exploitation and more. It will not stand.

    Our resolve in tackling these crimes will not waver. Joint Task Force Alpha, along with our partners, will continue to pursue the leaders and organizers of human smuggling and trafficking networks wherever they operate, with an enhanced focus on alien smuggling and trafficking by cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Regula Blog Wins 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, is proud to announce that its blog has been accoladed as the Best Cybersecurity Blog in the 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards. Providing diverse expert content such as how-to guides, original analytics, and detailed visuals, the Regula Blog serves as a valuable resource for the general public and niche professionals.

    The Regula Blog has been named the Best Cybersecurity Blog by the 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

    For more than a decade, the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards have honored individuals, teams, and companies that demonstrate exceptional performance and innovation in cybersecurity.

    The Regula Blog received the award for its expert insights, authoritative opinions, real-world fraud case analyses, practical guides, and forward-looking discussions on evolving security challenges.

    With over 18,000 unique readers per month, the Regula Blog is a fast-growing knowledge hub for professionals in cybersecurity, forensic science, and identity verification. The blog provides in-depth content on deepfake detection, facial recognition, document authentication, forensic examination, and more, to ensure that businesses and professionals get the timely and relevant knowledge they need.

    “In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, trust and security are more critical than ever. Our blog is more than just industry news—it’s a true knowledge hub designed to educate and empower professionals tackling identity fraud, document forgery, and cybersecurity risks. Winning this award is an honor and a testament to our team’s effort in providing actionable content that helps businesses navigate today’s complex security challenges,” says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula.

    These are the current top 10 most-read Regula Blog articles:

    For more insights and expert analysis, visit the award-winning Regula Blog.

    About Regula

    Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.

    Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com.

    Contact:
    Kristina – ks@regulaforensics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b43b713b-6760-4e89-8a88-6a6561fad951

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Final of the International Competition: the country’s tourist code was discussed at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On March 19, 2025, the State University of Management hosted the in-person stage of the III International Competition “Tourism Code of My Country, City, Town, District – PRO-tourism”, one of the co-organizers of which is our university.

    Delegations from 88 subjects of the Russian Federation and more than ten foreign countries came to Moscow to defend their projects before experts, including representatives of the State University of Management. More than 2,000 applications were submitted for the correspondence stage of the competition, of which 543 projects were selected to reach the in-person defense.

    The Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Dmitry Bryukhanov addressed the audience with a welcoming speech.

    “It is no coincidence that our university has become the venue for the international competition, because the State University of Management is one of the key venues for the implementation of Eurasian integration, we host the secretariat of the Eurasian Network University, in whose work we take an active part. In addition, projects will be presented within the framework of the competition, namely, the State University of Management is the leader in project-based learning and has been approved as a federal innovation platform for the implementation of the project “Interregional Educational and Methodological Center for Project-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning as a Technology of Practical Training,” shared Dmitry Yuryevich.

    Advisor to the rector’s office of the State University of Management, head of the department of state and municipal administration Sergei Chuev noted the importance of love for the Motherland and instilling a sense of patriotism in the younger generation.

    “The theme of the competition is directly related to the work of our department, because without a city, a village, a district, a country and love for them, it is impossible to imagine effective government, either state or municipal. We will do everything we can to promote the development of patriotic feelings. During the SVO, we especially acutely understand that ours is better than someone else’s. Our department is one of the largest at the university, and we will be glad to see you, your children and students among our students,” concluded Sergey Vladimirovich.

    The next speaker was Sergey Kochnev, General Director of the ANO Institute for Local Communities Development, who spoke about the history of the creation of the Russia Territory of Development platform, the dynamics of its development and existing projects.

    “This year, more than two million people voted for the best projects at the All-Russian competition “My Entry Group”, which originated within the walls of the State University of Management from the diploma work of one student. The “Architectural Battle of Ideas” is gaining popularity, within the framework of which we send expeditions to cities to develop solutions for improvement. This year, we were invited to visit the UAE and have already outlined the task that we have to complete. By the way, it is receiving a clear technical assignment from a city or district that is the most difficult part of forming an expedition. No less popular is the project “Ideas that Transform Cities”. Participation of children from a young age in such competitions and projects allows them to feel their involvement, show love for their small homeland and help make it better,” shared Sergey Kochnev.

    After the grand opening, the Boiling Point auditorium of the State University of Management hosted the defense of projects in 47 nominations of participants in 4 age categories: 10-13 years; 14-17 years; 18-35 years; 36 years.

    In parallel, an educational program “Methods and technologies for developing the tourist potential of municipalities of the Russian Federation” was organized for scientific leaders and accompanying persons. A guest from Serbia, Igor Babich, spoke at the scientific seminar.

    At the end of the day, Associate Professor of the Department of State and Municipal Administration Irina Milkina presented letters of gratitude to the heads of the contestants for their scientific support.

    The in-person final of the International Competition was held simultaneously at three venues: GUU, MSU and HSE, the largest of which is our university.

    The organizer of the III International Competition “Tourism Code of My Country, City, Town, District – PRO-tourism” is the Institute for Local Communities Development. The co-organizers of the Competition are the Commission for Territorial Development, Urban Environment and Infrastructure of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, the Association of Public Associations “National Council of Youth and Children’s Associations of Russia”, the Center for Children’s and Youth Tourism, Local History and Organization of Recreation and Health Improvement for Children of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Additional Education FTsDO of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the All-Russian Assembly for Territorial Development and Public Self-Government, the Project and Educational Laboratory of Urban Development of the State University of Management, and the Center for Network Economy Research of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

    The award ceremony for the winners and prize winners of the competition will take place on March 20 as part of the International Tourism and Hospitality Industry Exhibition “MITT” at Crocus Expo.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03/19/2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Pandemic Relief Loan Fraud and Commercial Loan Fraud

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    Defendant admitted to spending portions of fraudulent-loan proceeds on a Lamborghini and home renovations.

    Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced Andra Shirone Thompson, 48, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to a year and a day for two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    Thompson pled guilty to conspiring to defraud Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act loan programs and his role in a years-long scheme to defraud commercial equipment financing companies. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised released and ordered to forfeit $847,280, and pay $813,363.01 in restitution to the victims of his schemes.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, made the announcement with Supervisory Official Matthew Galeotti, Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C., Field Office; Jeffrey D. Pittano, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Mid-Atlantic Region; Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Eastern Region; and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

    According to his guilty plea, Thompson admitted to participating in a conspiracy to submit fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on behalf of companies he controlled. The companies included Alpha Bravo Tango LLC., Senergy Consulting Group Inc., and Novus Ordo Seclorum LLC. Through the scheme, Thompson fraudulently obtained $716,375. He spent a portion of the proceeds on vehicles, including a 2014 Lamborghini Aventador, and on renovating a home in North Carolina.

    Thompson also joined a conspiracy to defraud equipment financing companies by submitting fraudulent invoices that falsely showed the sale of substantial quantities of computer servers and related equipment. Thompson and his co-conspirators caused borrowers to submit fraudulent invoices to lenders to support their loan applications to purchase items. After approval, lenders deposited loan proceeds into accounts controlled by Thompson and his co-conspirators. The lenders were unaware that the sales on the invoices never occurred. Thompson and his co-conspirators typically “kicked back” a portion of the proceeds to the borrower who submitted the application and kept the rest for themselves. Thompson personally participated in three executions of this scheme, causing approximately $813,362 in fraudulently induced lending.

    Additionally, the co-conspirators caused more than $60 million of fraudulently induced lending across more than 350 separate loans through this scheme. Thompson’s principal co-conspirator, Craig David Davis, 49, of Venice, California, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and was sentenced earlier this month to 93 months incarceration.

    Financial assistance offered through the CARES Act included forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses, through the PPP, administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA).  The SBA also offered an EIDL and/or an EIDL advance to help businesses meet their financial obligations.

    The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the CARES Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

    For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-CI, FDIC-OIG, SBA-OIG, and the FBI who investigated the case. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wenner, along with Trial Attorney David A. Peters from the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Authority sets out AML/CFT/CFP supervisory priorities

    Source: Isle of Man

    The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority has set out a two-year programme of supervisory engagement aimed at countering financial crime.

    A document published on the Authority’s website highlights the supervisory priorities for 2025 to 2027 in relation to anti-money laundering (AML), countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) and countering the financing of proliferation (CFP).

    The AML/CFT Supervision Division is leading on a number of risk-based workstreams to support the drive for continued improvement in standards of compliance with the Island’s   AML/CFT framework. The ongoing and upcoming projects form part of the wider approach being delivered across the Authority’s four dedicated supervisory divisions over the next two years under the broad themes of:

    • Countering Financial Crime
    • Culture, Governance and Risk Management
    • Financial and Operational Resilience
    • Quality of Supervisory Data

    The AML/CFT/CFP work will be carried out in line with the engagement model published in the Authority’s Supervisory Methodology Framework. Resources will be focused on the firms and sectors perceived as posing the most significant risk of money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing. For lower risk firms there will be a greater emphasis on thematic work and outreach.

    The AML/CFT/CFP supervisory programme includes a continuation of projects that have already started, alongside topical TF and PF thematic reviews and new areas of focus designed to complement the Authority’s Strategic Approach to Countering Financial Crime. Work will be delivered through a suite of supervisory activities including inspections, data requests and compliance meetings.

    Topics and approximate timelines will be included as part of the At-A-Glance calendar, which provides advance notice of the Authority’s future activities and key milestones.

    Ashley Whyte, Head of AML/CFT Supervision, said: ‘We are rolling out our supervisory plans for the next two fiscal years with a view to strengthening efforts to reduce financial crime. This work builds evidence to demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of the Island’s AML/CFT/CFP frameworks and identifies areas where remediation or further outreach and guidance may be required to enhance overall standards of compliance.’

    She added: ‘Publishing our AML/CFT/CFP supervisory priorities is intended to assist Island firms with their forward planning, particularly in relation to anticipated demands on compliance functions. I would encourage people to read the document and work with us to protect the Island from the harms caused by financial crime.’

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 10:35 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A1009L8 (RZhD 1P-15R) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    10:35

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 19.03.2025, 10-35 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 98.59) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1058.67 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 15.0%) of the security RU000A1009L8 (RZhD 1P-15R) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 10:47 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A103W42 (IADOM 1P10) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    10:47

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on March 19, 2025, 10:47 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 75.9) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 481.14 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 23.75%) of the RU000A103W42 security (IADOM 1P10) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.MO/N78619

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 10:47 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for security RU000A102L53 (IADOM B1P6) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    10:47

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 19.03.2025, 10-47 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 72.19) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 299.84 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 32.5%) of the security RU000A102L53 (IADOM B1P6) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 11-13 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A10A8E8 (RF ZO 30 D) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    11:13

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 19.03.2025, 11-13 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 111.12) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 5.49 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 18.75%) of the security RU000A10A8E8 (RF ZO 30 D) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.MO/N78623

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 12-10 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JWV89 (Akron B1P1) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    12:10

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on March 19, 2025, 12:10 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 84.77) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 898.56 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 11.25%) of the security RU000A0JWV89 (Akron B1P1) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 13-13 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0ZZ1N0 (DOM 1P-3R) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    13:13

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 19.03.2025, 13-13 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 108.74) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1210.56 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A0ZZ1N0 (DOM 1P-3R) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 13:30 (Moscow time) the values of the lower boundary of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JS4Z7 (VEB.RF 21) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    13:30

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on March 19, 2025, 13:30 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor (up to 97.96) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 954.15 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 8.75%) of the security RU000A0JS4Z7 (VEB.RF 21) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 14-06 (Moscow time) the values of the lower boundary of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JVYG8 (ROSEXIMB1) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    14:06

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 19.03.2025, 14-06 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor (up to 92.93) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 939.01 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 10.0%) of the security RU000A0JVYG8 (ROSEXIMB1) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 14-13 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A10AXK9 (PhosAgro2P2) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    14:13

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 19.03.2025, 14-13 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 109.16) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 12924.38 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 12.5%) of the RU000A10AXK9 (PhosAgro2P2) security were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 14:45 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A108JH3 (Akron B1P4) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    14:45

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on March 19, 2025, 14:45 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 104.47) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 12233.87 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 10.0%) of the security RU000A108JH3 (Akron B1P4) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/19/2025, 15-23 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the RU000A105ML5 (NorNikB1P5) security were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/19/2025

    15:23

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on March 19, 2025, 15-23 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 105.46) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 12564.56 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 13.75%) of the RU000A105ML5 (NorNikB1P5) security were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –