FinCEN Seeks Tips on Iran-Linked Sanctions Evasion

WASHINGTON, September 11, 2026 — The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is soliciting information about suspected violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The initiative covers activity involving Iranian proxies and facilitators operating outside Iran. Potential OFAC violations require a US connection, including direct or indirect transactions involving the United States, US persons, or entities owned or controlled by US persons.

FinCEN highlighted several indicators of possible sanctions evasion, including shipping documents that conceal Iranian links or vessel identities, unusual exchange-house activity and payments involving digital-asset providers in Iran or possible front companies. Other warning signs include unregistered peer-to-peer exchanges, foreign money-services businesses and nested digital-asset exchanges.

The bulletin also points to companies and shipping activity connected to Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and China. Indicators tied to proxy financing include unclear trading-company purposes, nonprofits that show no apparent charitable activity, vague payment descriptions and crowdfunding proceeds accessed through internet addresses in higher-risk jurisdictions.

For compliance teams, the guidance provides transaction-monitoring reference points spanning shipping, petroleum, trading, exchange houses, crowdfunding and digital assets. It also highlights transaction patterns that may warrant closer scrutiny, such as numerous small digital-asset payments consolidated into another wallet.

People who voluntarily provide information leading to a successful Treasury or Justice Department enforcement action may qualify for awards when collected monetary penalties exceed $1 million. Awards can range from 10% to 30% of the penalties collected, subject to program requirements. At Treasury’s discretion, eligibility may extend to people working directly or indirectly for the Iranian government or Iranian state-owned enterprises.

FinCEN requests tipoffs on Iran sanctions evasion

Regulatory Actions

Sources

Primary Documents

Annexes & Supporting Documents

Related Coverage

Treasury blacklists Xinbi Guarantee while escalating sanctions on Los Tiguerones

Ecuador gang, Southeast Asia-linked crypto platforms sanctioned by OFAC

State Department terminates nonproliferation measures against South Korea’s JS Research

OFAC targets Iranian airlines and global aviation network, suspends aircraft license

US sanctions Turkish bank over alleged Iran financial links, issues wind-down license

OFAC adds Cuban bank, state firms, revises diplomatic license

Regulatory Actions

Advisory1 subjectFinCEN is issuing a Whistleblower Bulletin in support of Operation Economic Outcast concerning suspected Iran-related violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and economic sanctions.

Designation4 subjectsOFAC designated four Kata’ib Hizballah commanders and members pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Kata’ib Hizballah.

Designation4 subjectsOFAC designated Al-Tameemi, Al-Ameri, and Ain Al-Iraq pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Saleh Mahdi Hantush al-Maksusi.

Designation2 subjectsOFAC designated Al-Brouj pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Al Ameri.

Designation2 subjectsOFAC designated Al Abada pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Ain Al-Iraq.

Designation1 subjectOFAC designated Shams & Bahr Trading Company, L.L.C. pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the financial sector of the Iranian economy.

Designation3 subjectsOFAC designated Majid Ali Akbar Namdar Al-Mandalawi and Abdulhasan Ali A. Namdar Al-Mandalawi pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Shams & Bahr Trading Company L.L.C.

Designation4 subjectsOFAC designated Hussein Ibrahim, Abdallah Hamieh, and Ghaith Hussein Wehbe pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hizballah.

Designation3 subjectsOFAC designated Mervat Jamil Zahreldine and Amir Al-Makansi pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hamdi Zaher El Dine.

Designation3 subjectsOFAC designated YIM Exchange and Gold Pro SARL pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hamdi Zaher El Dine.

License Action1 subjectOFAC updated its Iran Statement of Licensing Policy to a presumption of denial except as required by law or in certain circumstances, such as risk to life, limb, or environmental safety.

License Action0 subjectsOFAC’s Licensing Division immediately began denying the vast majority of outstanding Iran-related specific license requests.