NEWS UPDATE: German regulator gives N26 a dressing down and orders the online bank to shore up its AML defences

Regulatory Watch News

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  Head of the Criminal Division, Matthew R. Galeotti Delivers Remarks at SIFMA’s Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Conference

  US Department of Justice

  June 16, 2025

  "Over the last several months, the Department has made clear that its mission is to protect hard-working Americans from the most serious threats. In the Criminal Division, we are working relentlessly to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), dismantle human smuggling operations, curb the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs, and neutralize child predators and violent criminals, including by securing significant charges and prison sentences against the worst criminal actors. White-collar crime also poses a significant threat to U.S. interests. Unchecked fraud in U.S. markets and government programs robs hardworking Americans and harms the public fisc. The deadly activities of cartels and TCOs are enabled by international money laundering organizations and other financial facilitators. Illicit financial and logistical networks undermine our national security by facilitating sanctions evasion by hostile nation-states and terror regimes."

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  axessinvest.de: BaFin warns consumers about website and identity fraud

  BaFin

  June 16, 2025

  The financial supervisory authority BaFin warns against offers from the website axessinvest.de. The website gives the impression that it is operated by the BaFin-registered MarketAxess NL B.V. branch in Frankfurt. This is not true. It is a case of identity theft.

  Anyone providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation.

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  OLAF exposes fraud involving over €870 million

  OLAF

  June 16, 2025

  In 2024, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) recommended the recovery of more than €870 million in misused EU funds, according to its annual report released today. OLAF investigators also prevented over €40 million from being improperly spent, reinforcing OLAF’s role as guardian of the EU budget. Over the year, OLAF closed 246 investigations and issued 301 recommendations to national and EU authorities, while opening 230 new investigations. This report marks not only a strong year of operations, but also OLAF’s 25^th anniversary – underscoring a quarter-century of dedicated service in protecting the EU’s financial interests and reaffirming OLAF’s leading role in the fight against fraud.