Kathryn Westmore
@kathrynwestmore.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Finance and Security @ RUSI // Financial crime policy + regulation // Fraud, money laundering and new technologies // Views are my own // https://rusi.org/people/westmore
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).
❗High-street money laundering and tax abuse is damaging communities nationwide. After our APPG received a briefing from the NCA last week, APPG Chair @philbrickellmp.bsky.social asked the Home Office what they’re doing about it ⬇
September 16, 2025 at 1:36 PM
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).
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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.
"We're going to go after the NGO Networks"
JD Vance and Stephen Miller openly outline how they are going to crackdown on civil society and use the government to crush political opposition.
JD Vance and Stephen Miller openly outline how they are going to crackdown on civil society and use the government to crush political opposition.
September 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
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.
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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.
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.
www.rusi.org
September 12, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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.
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
🚨🧵New RUSI paper, ‘Following the Fraud: The Role of Money Mule’ by @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social and Allison Owen is out now!
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 ...
www.rusi.org
August 14, 2025 at 10:21 AM
🚨🧵New RUSI paper, ‘Following the Fraud: The Role of Money Mule’ by @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social and Allison Owen is out now!
Sunday lunch with a side of anti-money laundering.
April 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Sunday lunch with a side of anti-money laundering.
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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...
@alexmartin.bsky.social
@kathrynwestmore.bsky.social
Verona Hulse-Johnstone (NCC Group)
Edward Lewis, CyXcel
my.rusi.org/events/asses...
Assessing UK Ransomware Policy
Join an expert panel to discuss the UK government’s approach to ransomware.
my.rusi.org
March 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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...
@alexmartin.bsky.social
@kathrynwestmore.bsky.social
Verona Hulse-Johnstone (NCC Group)
Edward Lewis, CyXcel
my.rusi.org/events/asses...
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.
January 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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.
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.
The UK government has announced a new sanctions regime targeting organised immigration crime. But is the Labour government holding itself hostage to fortune like those that have come before? @keatingetom.bsky.social and @kathrynwestmore.bsky.social explore this question below.
A New Frontier: Organised Immigration Crime and UK Sanctions
The UK government has announced a new sanctions regime targeting organised immigration crime. How does it ensure these new sanctions have teeth?
rusi.org
January 22, 2025 at 9:31 AM
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.
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
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.
www.rusi.org
December 23, 2024 at 4:59 PM
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-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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...
www.occrp.org/en/investiga...
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...
www.occrp.org
December 19, 2024 at 6:05 PM
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...
www.occrp.org/en/investiga...
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...
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 ...
royalunitedservicesinstitute.peoplehr.net
December 10, 2024 at 12:02 PM
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...
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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
December 9, 2024 at 10:03 AM
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
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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.
Me, a criminal lawyer: I’ve embedded a location tracker in my Christmas wreath in case anyone tries to nick it.
December 7, 2024 at 11:28 AM
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.
Me, a criminal lawyer: I’ve embedded a location tracker in my Christmas wreath in case anyone tries to nick it.
I have just bought myself this and I couldn’t be happier with life right now.
www.selfridges.com/GB/en/produc...
www.selfridges.com/GB/en/produc...
ANNA + NINA - Champagne Refill earthenware jug 17.5cm | Selfridges.com
www.selfridges.com
December 6, 2024 at 11:01 PM
I have just bought myself this and I couldn’t be happier with life right now.
www.selfridges.com/GB/en/produc...
www.selfridges.com/GB/en/produc...
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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.
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.
rusi.org
December 6, 2024 at 4:24 PM
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.
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-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
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.
www.rusi.org
December 6, 2024 at 3:08 PM
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-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Look at this line up! Very excited for this is treat in the new year - some of best in the business talking about #statethreats.
My annual excursion is near. I have a paper coming on #statethreats, and I will be at @rusi.bsky.social on 14 January 2025 with @hamarquette.bsky.social, @rorycormac.bsky.social, @keatingetom.bsky.social and undisclosed special guests to talk about it. Please join us.
my.rusi.org/events/tackl...
my.rusi.org/events/tackl...
Tackling the Growing Threat from Hostile States
Join us for a discussion on the growing covert threat from hostile states and their proxies.
my.rusi.org
December 5, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Look at this line up! Very excited for this is treat in the new year - some of best in the business talking about #statethreats.
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
“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
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.
www.wired.com
December 4, 2024 at 5:22 PM
“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
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
🚨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.
December 4, 2024 at 4:15 PM
🚨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.
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2024 at 3:50 PM
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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...
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 ...
www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk
December 4, 2024 at 3:39 PM
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...
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
Maybe it would be easier just to list the countries not having a war or political/constitutional crisis?
December 3, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Maybe it would be easier just to list the countries not having a war or political/constitutional crisis?
Reposted by Kathryn Westmore
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...
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...
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
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 1, 2024 at 1:01 PM
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...
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...
So, my husband and I both managed to forget that we were supposed to be going to birthday celebrations today for HIS 40th birthday.
December 1, 2024 at 1:09 PM
So, my husband and I both managed to forget that we were supposed to be going to birthday celebrations today for HIS 40th birthday.