The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has recently released a comprehensive Financial Trend Analysis (FTA) report that sheds light on patterns and trends concerning suspected evasion of Russia-related export controls. This report, derived from Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) reporting, not only underscores the seriousness of the issue but also highlights the critical role played by U.S. financial institutions in identifying and reporting suspicious activities potentially linked to this evasion. In total, the BSA reports scrutinized in this FTA have flagged an astonishing amount of almost $1 billion in suspicious activity.
Background
The context for this report is the turbulent geopolitical landscape following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In response to this unfolding crisis, FinCEN, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), issued two joint Alerts. These Alerts served as a clarion call for vigilance among U.S. financial institutions, urging them to be on the lookout for any potential attempts by Russia to circumvent U.S. export controls.
Acting FinCEN Director Himamauli Das commented, "Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, FinCEN and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued two joint Alerts urging vigilance on the part of U.S. financial institutions for potential attempts by Russia to evade U.S. export controls." He expressed appreciation for the cooperation of financial institutions, acknowledging their continued efforts in providing invaluable financial intelligence leads and indications of potential Russia-related export control violations.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod added, "Our partnership with FinCEN has illuminated Russian efforts to evade our export controls through the receipt of targeted suspicious activity reports (SARs) from financial institutions." These SARs have not been sitting idly; they have been catalysts for investigations into export control violations and designating parties on the Entity List to hinder Russia's access to technologies necessary for its activities in Ukraine.
BIS's Role
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is a key player in this endeavor, leveraging the information gleaned from BSA reporting to provide leads to its export enforcement agents. These leads not only kickstart new investigations but also support ongoing ones, ensuring that those violating export controls are held accountable.
BIS's use of information from BSA reporting extends beyond investigations. It is instrumental in identifying parties in Russia and third countries acting contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. This leads to their designation on the Entity List and the imposition of license requirements for transactions subject to the Export Administration Regulations. These actions effectively disrupt the ability of foreign parties to evade BIS export controls.
Emerging Trends
The Financial Trend Analysis report offers insight into several alarming trends:
- Intermediary Companies: Suspicious transactions conducted post-Russia's invasion suggest that companies in intermediary countries have been purchasing U.S.-origin goods on behalf of Russian end-users. This strategy raises red flags and calls for increased scrutiny.
- Trade Links: Suspicious transactions reveal trade activity, likely involving sensitive items, between end users in Russia and other jurisdictions, particularly China, Hong Kong, and Turkey. These links emphasize the global nature of the issue and the need for international cooperation.
- Electronics and Industrial Machinery Industries: A significant number of companies in the electronics industry appear to be potentially associated with or directly facilitating Russian export control evasion. Additionally, companies in the industrial machinery industry are potentially supplying Russia with equipment. These industries are under the spotlight for their involvement in these illicit activities.
In conclusion, FinCEN's Financial Trend Analysis is a sobering reminder of the challenges posed by Russia's evasion of export controls, especially in the wake of its actions in Ukraine. The report underscores the importance of collaboration between financial institutions, government agencies like FinCEN and BIS, and international partners in curbing these illicit activities. As new individuals and entities are identified in connection with evasion of Russia-related export controls, it is imperative to stay vigilant and adapt strategies to address evolving threats.
