The global anti-money laundering standard-setter has identified 15 countries it says have failed to take adequate steps to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

At the top of the Financial Action Task Force’s list are

•     Iran and
•     North Korea,

both of which have pushed forward with nuclear programs despite U.S. objections and sanctions.

The FATF said the two countries pose “on-going and substantial money laundering and terrorist financing risks.” “If Iran fails to take concrete steps to continue to improve its [counter-terrorist financing] regime, the FATF will consider calling on its members and urging all jurisdictions to strengthen counter-measures in June 2013,” the body stated.

The other nations named and shamed by the FATF for purported anti-laundering weaknesses are:

1. 1.       Ecuador,
2. 2.       Ethiopia,
3. 3.       Indonesia,
4. 4.       Kenya,
5. 5.       Myanmar,
6. 6.       Nigeria,
7. 7.       Pakistan,
8. 8.       Sao Tome and Principe,
9. 9.       Syria, Tanzania,
10. 10.   Turkey,
11. 11.   Vietnam and
12. 12.   Yemen.

http://www.fatf-gafi.org/topics/high-riskandnon-cooperativejurisdictions/documents/fatfpublicstatement22february2013.html