Australia Probes Western Union Over Possible Money Laundering Risks

AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence agency and anti-money laundering regulator, has opened an investigation into Western Union Financial Services Australia and its US-based parent company.

The inquiry concerns how the companies manage money laundering and terrorism financing risk, covering their anti-money laundering programme, transaction monitoring and governance. It will also test whether their systems can detect known laundering methods and suspicious transactions linked to child sexual exploitation and terrorism financing.

The investigation follows earlier engagement with the regulator and an external audit ordered in 2025. Western Union runs one of the world’s largest international money transfer networks, including cash-based cross-border payments, a sector regulators regard as vulnerable to criminal exploitation. The company has said it will address the issues raised in the audit.

Article Credit: https://www.occrp.org/en/news/australia-probes-western-union-over-possible-money-laundering-risks