The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has conceded that its strategy to ‘name and shame’ some companies under investigation has become a “lightning rod”.
The admission is another indication that the regulator will water down its plans after it sent out similar signals in July.
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Investigation ‘Escape Room’: EPPO arrests another suspect and seizes €3.5 million
European Public Prosecutor's Office
(Luxembourg, 22 September 2026) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Rotterdam (the Netherlands), another suspect was arrested in connection with an investigation into criminal networks operating cross-border VAT fraud schemes linked to the sales of electronic devices, code-named ‘Escape Room’. Assets worth €3.5 million were also seized.
This arrest follows the detention of eight suspects in Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland in October 2025.
The suspect is believed to have been a member of the criminal organisations under investigation. He allegedly acted as a broker in the VAT carousel scheme, serving as an intermediary between companies in the chain and claiming VAT refunds to which he was not entitled from the tax administration.
Scam alert related to banks
HKMA
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on the HKMA website.
Bank
Type of Scam
The Bank of East Asia, Limited
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
Chong Hing Bank Limited
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
More than 1200 charged in Trans-Tasman illicit drug trafficking and organised crime operation
Australia Federal Police
Police and law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand have charged 1203 people with 3339 offences and seized significant quantities of illicit drugs, firearms and cash during a national week of action targeting drug trafficking and organised crime.
The operation, conducted from 14-18 September, 2026, was coordinated by the Australia and New Zealand Illicit Drug Working Group (ANZIDWG). The week of action involved every Australian state and territory police agency, New Zealand police and customs, AFP, ABF, ACIC, AUSTRAC and Home Affairs.