Massive trade surplus within the EU a sign of massive tax fraud – EPPO prosecutor

Regulatory Watch News

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  Update to UK Sanctions List: Iran Regime

  UK Government

  October 12, 2026

  Today, Monday 12 October, the UK Government has designated 2 individuals under the Iran Sanctions Regime. Designated Individuals:

  Name:	Unique ID:
  Ruhollah BAZGHANDI	IRN0282
  Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh JAKKI	IRN0283

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  OFSI issues General Licence for Ground Rent and Service Charge Payment

  OFSI

  October 12, 2026

    The General Licence permits designated persons (DPs), or persons acting on their behalf, to make payments to a UK bank account held by a landlord, managing agent, or a person acting on behalf of a landlord for ground rent, service charges and certain late payment fees relating to an eligible lease of a relevant property in England or Wales. The General Licence also permits landlords, managing agents and persons acting on their behalf to receive such payments and, where applicable, transfer funds to a superior landlord or hold overpayments as credit towards future liabilities.

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  Investigation ‘Hermes’: 62 detained in probe into €410 million VAT carousel fraud involving mobile phones

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  October 12, 2026

  The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has conducted searches in eight countries and detained 62 suspects in a probe against criminal organisations suspected of operating a carousel VAT fraud selling mobile phones and electronic devices. The criminal scheme under this investigation, code-named ‘Hermes’, caused an estimated damage of at least €410 million in VAT losses to several EU Member States. Over 300 searches took place today in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, at the suspects’ homes and offices of companies belonging to the organised crime group, as well as tax advisers, lawyers and transport companies. In addition, 62 suspects were detained in Portugal (39), Spain (20) and Italy (three).