The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is interviewing 20 social media influencers, known as “finfluencers,” who are suspected of illegally promoting financial products.
In addition to these interviews, the FCA has issued 38 warnings about finfluencer accounts that may be involved in unlawful promotions.
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From a small Swedish town to a global crime network: international operation strikes top-tier organised crime
Europol
The seizure of two mobile phones in a small Swedish town exposed a resilient criminal architecture stretching across Europe, Asia and Australia. On 4 March, coordinated actions in Spain, Sweden and Thailand struck key nodes of this network, building on earlier operational activity in Australia.
Italy: EPPO secures €2 million seizure in investigation into fraud with RRF funds
European Public Prosecutor's Office
At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Turin (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Biella seized assets worth €1.98 million in an investigation into suspected fraud involving funds from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for Italy.
The investigation, code-named Nuovi Orizzonti (‘New Horizons’), concerns a suspected organised criminal group that allegedly defrauded public budgets by obtaining RRF funds and by claiming tax credits for fictitious energy efficiency works.
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 website and internet banking login screen
Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen
Chong Hing Bank Limited
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen
OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens