Skip to content
Advertisement
www.nomascom.kz upper

Astana

Exchange office rates, Almaty — buy / sell, data by kurs.kz: USD 445.9 / 448.3 EUR 494.5 / 498.5 kurs.kz
Tribuna.kz

World

US warns of Iranian regime’s possible abuse of religious charity networks

FinCEN asks financial institutions to report suspicious activity involving donations and khums.

The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued indicators to help financial institutions identify possible Iranian regime abuse of religious charities. The alert covers potential diversion of religious tithes, including khums.

Source: United States Department of the Treasury

The U.S. Treasury Department building in Washington
The U.S. Treasury issued an alert on possible Iranian regime abuse of religious charity networks. Illustrative photo. Photo: MeanieHyaena / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has urged financial institutions to report potential Iranian regime abuse of religious charity networks as part of Operation Economic Outcast. The alert includes the possible diversion of religious tithes, or khums.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said information identified and reported by financial institutions could help law enforcement isolate the Iranian regime and its financial enablers.

FinCEN said the Iranian regime has used ostensibly religious organizations in Iran and neighboring countries to enrich its elites, repress the Iranian people and support terrorism abroad. The regime may also divert khums payments collected from Shi’a communities around the world. Some organizations collect the funds on behalf of prominent Iranian ayatollahs with ties to the regime.

Advertisement
www.toishy.com

Funds may be sent to Iran or Iran-linked actors through informal channels, including hawalas and cash couriers. FinCEN’s alert lists possible warning signs, such as an organization soliciting donations without apparent charitable work, receiving large sums from an unknown source before making substantial transfers, or attempting to evade reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Another indicator is a customer receiving money from a charity with which there is no clear business relationship, then withdrawing it in cash or sending it onward.

FinCEN said legitimate charities should be able to access financial services and move funds through transparent channels. It reminded banks to use a risk-based approach when assessing charities and other nonprofit customers.

Source: United States Department of the Treasury

Countries:
Tags:

Read also

Advertisement
Nomascom banner footer