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Kathryn Westmore

@kathrynwestmore.bsky.social
1.1K followers 255 following 71 posts

Senior Associate Fellow, Centre for Finance and Security @ RUSI // Financial crime policy + regulation // Views are my own.

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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
It’s excellent to see the focus on this in government, a really important issue. I’m also personally gratified that the Security Minister used the phrase ‘high street money laundering’ as I feel we are one step closing to adopting the acronym HSML which I have copyrighted (I haven’t).
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Jess Davis @jessmarindavis.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
This sounds to me like they’ll be weaponizing FATF recommendation 8 (prevention of terrorist abuse of the non profit sector). It’s a powerful tool that has been used by authoritarian regimes to shut down dissent.
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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Following the crowd and maintaining the status quo is comfortable – and the kleptocrats, corrupt and criminals hope that does not change, write Georgia Jones, Tom Keatinge and Kathryn Westmore.
rusi.org
The Global Anti-Financial Crime System is Broken
Following the crowd and maintaining the status quo is comfortable – and the kleptocrats, corrupt and criminals hope that does not change.
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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
🚨🧵New RUSI paper, ‘Following the Fraud: The Role of Money Mule’ by @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social and Allison Owen is out now!
rusi.org
Following the Fraud: The Role of Money Mules
This paper discusses the rising issue of fraud in the UK, particularly focusing on the role of money mules in facilitating authorised push payment fraud and the implications for national security and ...
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Sunday lunch with a side of anti-money laundering.
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Jamie MacColl @jamiemaccoll.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
We're hosting a panel event at RUSI at 0900 on 3 April to discuss the UK government's ongoing consultation on ransomware legislation. I'll be joined by: @alexmartin.bsky.social @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social Verona Hulse-Johnstone (NCC Group) Edward Lewis, CyXcel my.rusi.org/events/asses...
my.rusi.org
Assessing UK Ransomware Policy
Join an expert panel to discuss the UK government’s approach to ransomware.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
I think my 5 year old might actually be trying to steal my job. He brought this home from school today. I’m pretty sure he’s making me redundant.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
So many questions about how the UK’s proposed new OIC sanctions will work. We wrote a piece about some of those questions and what the government should consider to ensure the sanctions actually have an impact.
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James Sullivan @mrjamessullivan.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Reposting this fine write-up by @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social and @jamiemaccoll.bsky.social on Operation Destablise. A compendium of national security threats, showing the clear links between organised crime, sanctions evasion and hostile state activity. Read👇 www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
rusi.org
Operation Destabilise: Russia, Organised Crime and Illicit Finance
A Russian-speaking money laundering network uncovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency shows the clear links between organised crime, sanctions evasion and hostile state activity.
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
New investigation from @occrp.org with research by @transparencyuk.bsky.social highlights the limits of current UK transparency reforms. Trusts are the new transparency frontier. Regs laid by gov earlier this month could help but, on first blush, have some issues. www.occrp.org/en/investiga...
occrp.org
Luxury London Properties Linked to Family of Azerbaijan's President Are Hidden Behind an Offshore Trust
The family and associates of Azerbaijani strongman Ilham Aliyev acquired U.K. real estate worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Are they still holding onto their property empire? Despite new transpar...
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Want to come and work with me at the @cfs-rusi.bsky.social working on all things financial crime policy? We’re recruiting for a new research analyst/project officer. Details here! royalunitedservicesinstitute.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoa...
royalunitedservicesinstitute.peoplehr.net
Research Analyst/Project Officer – Financial Crime Policy Programme
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is the world’s oldest and the UK’s leading defence and security think tank. The Centre for Finance and Security (CFS) at RUSI is a specialist research group ...
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Statement in the Commons today by the Government, on tackling corruption at 3:30pm - one to watch this Anti-Corruption Day. We're expecting a few announcements
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Joanna Hardy-Susskind @joannahs.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Everyone else: The best thing about Christmas is the goodwill and festive community cheer. Me, a criminal lawyer: I’ve embedded a location tracker in my Christmas wreath in case anyone tries to nick it.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
I have just bought myself this and I couldn’t be happier with life right now. www.selfridges.com/GB/en/produc...
selfridges.com
ANNA + NINA - Champagne Refill earthenware jug 17.5cm | Selfridges.com
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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
In the latest RUSI Commentary, @jamiemaccoll.bsky.social and @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social note that a Russian-speaking money laundering network uncovered by @nca-uk.bsky.social shows the clear links between organised crime, sanctions evasion and hostile state activity.
rusi.org
Operation Destabilise: Russia, Organised Crime and Illicit Finance
A Russian-speaking money laundering network uncovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency shows the clear links between organised crime, sanctions evasion and hostile state activity.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
New: What does Operation Destabilise mean for the future of the UK’s response to illicit finance? Also, Tether is bad. @jamiemaccoll.bsky.social and I have shared our perspectives over on the @rusi.bsky.social website this afternoon. www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
rusi.org
Operation Destabilise: Russia, Organised Crime and Illicit Finance
A Russian-speaking money laundering network uncovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency shows the clear links between organised crime, sanctions evasion and hostile state activity.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Look at this line up! Very excited for this is treat in the new year - some of best in the business talking about #statethreats.
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Matt Burgess (WIRED) @mattburgess1.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
“I don’t think anyone could anticipate the size and complexity of this operation, the huge amounts of cash involved, and the number of different organized criminal gangs which used the services” — @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social
wired.com
She Was a Russian Socialite and Influencer. Cops Say She’s a Crypto Laundering Kingpin
Western authorities say they’ve identified a network that found a new way to clean drug gangs’ dirty cash. WIRED gained exclusive access to the investigation.
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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
🚨Following the news that the @nca-uk.bsky.social has uncovered a multi-billion-dollar Russian money laundering network, RUSI's @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social provides her analysis below.
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Oliver Bullough @oliverbullough.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Operation Destabilise is the most stunning example yet of crypto's great use-case, which is to move value between countries outside any controls against money laundering. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Russian crypto criminals helped UK drug gangs launder lockdown cash
UK drug gangs paid Russian criminals to swap their dirty street cash for untraceable crypto currency, police say.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
The NCA have busted a multi-billion dollar money laundering network in the UK. The grouo facilitated the exchange of cash to crypto on a massive scale. The networks also funded state-linked activities including espionage and disinformation. www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/operati...
nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk
Operation Destabilise: NCA disrupts $multi-billion Russian money laundering networks with links to, drugs, ransomware and espionage, resulting in 84 arrests
An international NCA-led investigation - Operation Destabilise - has exposed and disrupted Russian money laundering networks supporting serious and organised crime around the world: spanning from the ...
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Maybe it would be easier just to list the countries not having a war or political/constitutional crisis?
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Wrote something quickly on the back of this thread Tldr: Britain's election laws are completely broken. Either we act fast to fix them or we are in serious, serious trouble democracyforsale.substack.com/p/musks-100m...
democracyforsale.substack.com
Musk’s $100m to Farage will break our democracy
Keir Starmer needs to fix Britain’s broken electoral laws now - if he doesn’t, we will all suffer the consequences
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
So, my husband and I both managed to forget that we were supposed to be going to birthday celebrations today for HIS 40th birthday.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
My mother has spent quite a lot of today telling me that I’m wrong about 1) how crypto works and 2) how Gen AI can be used to commit fraud. She listened to something on Radio 4 this week and is now, clearly, the expert.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Back in my consulting day, I had a client who would always send me stroppy emails last thing on a Friday. Now I get - much more polite - emails last thing on a Friday from people who disagree with something I’ve written and want to tell me why I’m wrong.
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Dan McCrum @mccrum.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Bulgarians plead guilty to involvement in Jan Marsalek spy ring Court hears that former Wirecard executive “was acting as the intermediary for the Russian Intelligence Services”. Directed them to spy on US air base, among other plots.
on.ft.com
Bulgarians plead guilty to involvement in Jan Marsalek spy ring
[FREE TO READ] Two admit conspiracy to spy while three others deny the charge
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Excellent new research from our friends at @transparencyuk.bsky.social 👇🏻
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
I was at a conference yesteday where these proposals were discussed and, based on that, it’s fair to say that there will be some disappointment that the FCA has not capitulated completely on.ft.com/3Zsphbh
on.ft.com
FCA to raise bar for when it ‘names and shames’ companies
Previous proposals from UK financial regulator triggered City backlash
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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
📅Join us on 10 December for the launch of a new research paper written by RUSI's Eliza Lockhart, supported by @soc-ace.bsky.social, on the impact of whistleblower reward programmes, and a panel discussion on the importance of boosting economic crime detection and deterrence.
my.rusi.org
The Role of Rewards for Whistleblowers in the Fight Against Economic Crime
Join us for a discussion on the impact of financial rewards for whistleblowers in the fight against economic crime.
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Dan Tannebaum @dantannnyc.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
It’s not enough to keep imposing new sanctions if you don’t enforce the existing ones! Those violating these sanctions by trading with these firms need to be put on notice. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
EU Proposes to Sanction Chinese Firms Aiding Russian War Effort
The European Union is proposing to sanction several Chinese firms that it claims helped Russian companies develop attack drones that were deployed against Ukraine.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
This, from @alphaville.ft.com, is just wonderful: Barosaurus fined after dropping challenge over tar-pit payments on.ft.com/4eRsuoV
on.ft.com
Barosaurus fined after dropping challenge over tar-pit payments
FCA says the dinosaur’s conduct 145mn years ago was ‘reckless and lacked integrity’
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
I have a new report out today! I gathered some of my favourite people to look ahead to the UK’s next FATF mutual evaluation in 2027. Is the UK any better at dealing with money laundering and terrorist financing than 10 years ago? Read on to find out! www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
rusi.org
UK FATF Mutual Evaluation Taskforce: First Meeting Report
At the first meeting of the UK FATF Mutual Evaluation Taskforce, experts discussed how the UK can best prepare for its upcoming FATF evaluation in 2027.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
I am on a long, solo (!) train journey. I have two books and the second half of @theresthistory.bsky.social’s podcast series on the French Revolution. And snacks, obviously. This is the most luxurious Saturday morning I have had in a very long time.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
This an absolutely fascinating thread/article from @jim.londoncentric.media about all of the illegal activity going on over Westminster Bridge, also a stone’s throw from the RUSI offices.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
I have been trying to keep my Financial Crime starter pack up to date but do let me know if you think I’ve missed you and then we can have an awkward conversation where I pretend it wasn’t actually deliberate. go.bsky.app/6XZCH7k
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
My plans for a quiet pre-Christmas period have been somewhat scuppered by the fact that I don’t seem to be able to say no to speaking invitations! Up first, I’ll be at my faves, the Association of Foreign Banks next Weds to talk about the future of AML regulation.
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Sue Hawley @suehawley.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
This is a really welcome moment and hopefully the start of a new emphasis on using anti-corruption sanctions more ambitiously, and cleaning up the UK's own backyard. Great work by the UK's Foreign Office to get this over the line.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Some major new anti-corruption sanctions announced today by the FCDO: Dimitry Firtash, Isabel dos Santos and Aivars Lembergs (plus wives/associates). The start of the Foreign Sec’s campaign on corruption and illicit finance.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
New drama! One of the parents has been making a monthly donation to the school’s charity fund for the last year or so. They were given the bank details on a piece of paper at a school meeting. BUT it is not the bank account of either of the school’s funds. Where has it gone?! Is it a huge fraud?!
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Someone has just sent me a copy of an academic paper that should be published soon which is basically my dream paper. I’m both super excited to read it and very annoyed that I didn’t write it.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
And they’ve joined! @cfs-rusi.bsky.social are now on Bluesky!
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
I did not expect to wake up to snow this morning.
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Team #CFS had a lovely evening out at the Tackling Economic Crime Awards on Friday. @keatingetom.bsky.social was robbed in his category of outstanding individual contribution to tackling economic crime but we looked excellent and I had a long chat about Chinese underground banking which was a treat!
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
The beginnings of a Starter Pack for the Centre for Finance and Security @ @rusi.bsky.social! Contains staff, associate fellows and other parts of RUSI that we work with. go.bsky.app/A2qCFV3
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Delighted to see my esteemed employer - @rusi.bsky.social - on here. Now to convince my colleagues at RUSI’s Centre for Finance and Security to follow!
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I moderated a super interesting roundtable this week on #AI and financial crime and some of the challenges in implementation. The bottom line was that it all came back to people - more resources + different skill sets were needed.
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Prof Heather Marquette @hamarquette.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I’m always happy to listen to @oliverbullough.bsky.social talking about #financialcrime, and while I’d like to be able to continue to pretend none of this is happening for as long as I can, if I’m going to have to think about it then this is the way to go… open.spotify.com/episode/1BcP...
open.spotify.com
103: What impact will Trump have on financial crime globally?
The Laundry · Episode
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Kathryn Westmore @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
As always, a somewhat alarming story about how tech is enabling organised crime in Russia on a massive scale with potential knock on implications for neighbouring countries and international security. amp.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
amp.theguardian.com
Dead drops, PR stunts and punishment beatings: the rapid rise of Russia’s powerful darknet drug industry | Russia | The Guardian
Tech-savvy organised crime groups profiting from billion-dollar enterprise that is spreading beyond Russian borders
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