This week, an earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter Magnitude Scale hit Myanmar. Whilst total loss of life, and injuries therefrom, are not known, there was extensive property damage. Since it hit a rural area, detailed information, from the affected areas, has not yet been obtained.
What you should remember is:
(1) Money launderers frequently take advantage of natural disasters to move dirty money.
(2) Myanmar is on of the centres of narcotics production in Southeast Asia. Can you say Golden Triangle ?
(3) With the recent reduction of sanctions, and President Obama's upcoming visit to the country in mind, it is easy to gloss over any possible risk that a payment for natural disaster relief might not be what it seems. Myanmar is changing, but drug crime still exists there.
Please, should you be presented with a charity seeking to send money to Myanmar, to assist in earthquake relief and reconstruction, check out the charity's background. You do not want to be sending a payment for somebody's opium purchases through your bank.
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| The epicentre |
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