AUSTRAC has released two new financial crime guides to help businesses stop ransomware attack payments and the criminal abuse of digital currencies.

The guides contain practical information and indicators to help businesses identify and report if a payment could be related to ransomware attacks, or someone could be using digital currencies to commit serious crimes such as money laundering, scams, or terrorism financing.

The ransomware guide describes the financial indicators relevant to ransomware transactions and the behavioural response of victims as well as characteristics of a ransomware criminal.

Austrac recommends the use of Blockchain analytic software as a tool that can be used to follow and examine digital currency transactions and addresses.

The digital currencies guide includes Crime Type Specific Indicators for Illicit Activity Via Darknet Marketplaces, Terrorism Financing, Scams and Tax Evasion.

It also highlights emerging financial crime risks such as non-fungible tokens, decentralised finance, and staking digital currency.

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