Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of money laundering in the online advertising sector, and whether they have proposals to deal with the issue.

The Government recognises that online advertising may be targeted by criminals to commit fraud and that illicitly obtained funds from fraud can be laundered and used for further criminal purposes. The upcoming National Risk Assessment (NRA) for money laundering and terrorist financing will consider how the proceeds of fraud are laundered within the UK.

The Government welcomes pledges to prevent fraud by tech companies under the Online Fraud Charter and we are committed to working with industry to reduce fraud. The Online Safety Act will require the largest user to user and search services to take steps to prevent the publication or hosting of any fraudulent advertising on their service.

DCMS are leading the Online Advertising Taskforce, which is working to improve transparency and accountability in the online advertising supply chain. One of the Taskforce's key objectives is to improve the evidence around the scale and threat of the illegal harms.