I have been honored with an invitation to testify before the "Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing" of the House Financial Services Committee.  The hearing was originally scheduled for January 26.  However, because of the snow that has blanketed Washington, D.C. it looks like the hearing will be postponed a week.  More information about the hearing, witnesses, and why the Task Force is concerned about trade-based money laundering can be found here:
http://financialservices.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=400192

I have been increasingly concerned about Chinese underground finance sometimes known as "fei-chien" or "flying money."  There is a lack of information about the subject.  I have tried to further awareness of the problem by including a chapter on the subject in my new book Trade-Based Money Laundering because I think it is a growing international threat. Similar to hawala, fei-chien is linked to trade-based money laundering and value transfer.  I was recently contacted by an Australian journalist who is doing some research about massive Chinese purchases of real estate and gems in Australia.   Chinese investments in pricey real estate are occurring elsewhere - including the United States, Canada, the U.K., etc.  This is occurring even though Chinese are limited to taking $50,000 a year out of the country.  Could underground finance be involved?   See the attached article that contains a few quotes:  
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-outflows-china-idUSKCN0UZ2T5 

I do occasional seminars on "flying money."   If anybody would like to forward information about the underground system including case examples or simply chat I would be very appreciative. 

Thanks!
John

In today's Wall Street Journal Risk and Compliance on-line, there is an article about my new book: Trade-Based Money Laundering  - The Next Frontier in International Money Laundering Enforcement.  The article is in an interview format.
Here is the link: http://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2015/12/31/fighting-trade-based-money-laundering/

Happy New Year Everybody!
John

Please see the following link to the first review of my new book Trade-Based Money Laundering - The Next Frontier in International Money Laundering Enforcement (Wiley).   The review was published November 30 in Banking Exchange.  Here is the link.

In today's New York Times, I join a number of commentators in the opinion section sharing ideas on how to "drain ISIS' coffers."  The link to the commentary is available here.

Yesterday, November 17, I was honored to appear before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.   See "Articles" for a transcript of my remarks.  The focus of the hearing was on kidnapping for ransom.   I addressed this issue and also discussed how terrorist organizations exploit underground financial networks and their link to trade-based value transfer.  I felt the hearing was particularly poignant because of the testimony of Diane Foley, the mother of ISIS beheading victim journalist James Foley.   Her presence and eloquence speak volumes about the human tragedy of terror.   A video link of the entire hearing is available here:

I've heard from a few friends and colleagues that the tragic attacks in Paris last Friday evening have some haunting similarities to my novel Demons of Gadara.   I wrote the novel shortly before the rise of ISIS.  In Demons, the terrorist focus is on the Taliban.   A few character and location changes and the plot could easily involve ISIS.  For those wanting insight into terrorist mindsets, tactics, and funding Demons of Gadara continues to be an educational and entertaining read.   

I just received a package from my publisher with my new book:  Trade-Based Money Laundering - The Next Frontier in International Money Laundering Enforcement.  This is book number four for me.   However, opening that box and holding a new book is always a thrill!   And I'm confident this book, like my others, breaks new ground.  I wrote it to try to bring more attention to TBML - which is already a hot topic today.    It is non-academic; it's user-friendly, and I hope both instructive and entertaining.

The book is available for pre-order now via Amazon, Wiley (the publisher) and other outlets.  I understand it starts to ship November 9.   Let me know how you like it.   Thanks!   John

I was recently quoted in an excellent article written by Paul Cochrane for the Middle East Eye about the flawed approach to counter ISIS financing. The article can be viewed here: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/analysis-flawed-us-approach-countering-financing-611245461

My next book Trade-Based Money Laundering: The Next Frontier in International Money Laundering Enforcement (Wiley) is scheduled to be released in November or early December. 

The book is a continuation of my long-time interest in TBML.  I wrote it as a practical guide primarily for bank compliance officers.  Many in the intelligence, law enforcement, and defense and trade communities will also find it of interest.  

More information will be forthcoming soon.  The book can be purchased via Wiley, Amazon, etc.