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Crypto again tops FIA’s suspicious reports tally

Sticky times: Cryptocurrencies are facing a difficult period as the U.S cracks down on some of the most popular products. At home, digital currencies are scammers’ instrument of choice REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Sticky times: Cryptocurrencies are facing a difficult period as the U.S cracks down on some of the most popular products. At home, digital currencies are scammers’ instrument of choice REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Cryptocurrency transactions dominated the suspicious transactions reported to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) in the first three months of the year, with an amount of P45 million involved.

By law, banks, bureaux de change, car dealers, microlenders, attorneys, and others must file suspicious transaction reports with the FIA.

The agency defines a suspicious transaction as one inconsistent with a customer’s known legitimate business, one that gives rise to a reasonable suspicion that may involve the commission of a financial offence, one made in circumstances of unusual or unjustified complexity, one that appears to have no economic justification or lawful objective or made by or on behalf of a person whose identity is unknown, amongst other factors.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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