FATF Calls for Stronger Public-Private Partnerships to Fight Illicit Finance

The Financial Action Task Force has released a new report encouraging jurisdictions to strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a key strategy for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, and the growing threat of fraud.

Published on 8 July 2026, the report, Information Sharing to Combat Illicit Finance: Global Overview of Public and Private Sector Partnerships and Data Protection Arrangements, examines how structured information-sharing frameworks help governments and private sector organizations detect, investigate, and disrupt financial crime more effectively.

According to the report, at least 84 public-private partnerships now operate globally. Among surveyed jurisdictions, 52 reported at least one domestic PPP, while 18 jurisdictions have established multiple partnerships. FATF found that these frameworks are most effective when supported by strong legal foundations, clear governance, and secure information exchange technology.

The report also highlights growing collaboration beyond traditional financial institutions, encouraging greater participation from Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), Designated Non-Financial Businesses And Professions (DNFBPs), telecom providers, and digital platforms as financial crime becomes increasingly cross-border and technology-driven.

More than 75% of reporting jurisdictions use PPPs to exchange strategic intelligence, including typologies, emerging risks, and red flags. Meanwhile, 55% to 66% share operational intelligence such as suspicious transaction indicators, customer due diligence information, and case-specific insights to support financial crime investigations.

FATF also showcased successful international initiatives demonstrating the value of collaborative intelligence. Singapore’s Project FRONTIER+, involving authorities across 13 jurisdictions, led to more than 2,100 arrests, the freezing of 36,000 bank accounts, and the seizure of approximately S$28.2 million linked to scam operations. In South Africa, information sharing between banks and authorities helped dismantle a pyramid scheme and freeze 60 bank accounts holding more than US$450,000.

Recognizing the importance of privacy, the report stresses that effective information sharing must be balanced with robust data protection safeguards. FATF recommends clear legal frameworks, joint guidance from AML and privacy regulators, encrypted communication platforms, and governance structures that enable collaboration while protecting sensitive customer information.

Why It Matters for Compliance

The report reinforces FATF’s view that combating modern financial crime requires coordinated intelligence sharing across both public and private sectors. As fraud schemes, sanctions evasion, and cross-border money laundering become increasingly sophisticated, institutions are expected to strengthen collaboration while maintaining strong data protection and governance standards.