NEWS: MONEYVAL warns European countries are badly struggling to secure money laundering convictions

Regulatory Watch News

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  Press Release: AMLA consults on clear rules for cross-border FIU information exchanges

  AMLA

  July 7, 2026

  Cross-border information sharing between FIUs is set to become harmonised and more reliable. AMLA is inviting views on draft standards that will decide when a suspicious activity report concerns another EU country and should be shared with that country's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

  A stronger network against financial crime

  With these standards, AMLA delivers on one of its core mandates: improving FIU cooperation across borders. Today, FIU information sharing relies on practices built up over time, and approaches differ from one country to the next, creating delays and legal uncertainty. The draft rules give every FIU in the EU a common, clear basis for the cross-border sharing of information, strengthening efficiency and consistency in the fight against financial crime.

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  Croatia: First verdict in corruption and EU funds misuse case involving Ministry of Culture and Faculty of Geodesy

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  July 7, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 7 July 2026) – The County Court in Zagreb (Croatia) has rendered a first verdict today against ten individuals, following an indictment by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb over corruption and misuse of EU funds involving the Ministry of Culture and the Faculty of Geodesy. As previously reported, this case concerns an alleged coordinated corruption scheme involving a former deputy minister of Culture and Media, a former dean of the Faculty of Geodesy and a former professor, amongst others, as well as representatives of private companies. The former dean and the ex-professor are accused of manipulating 27 public procurement procedures linked to four EU-funded projects worth nearly €6 million by steering contracts to favoured companies in exchange for kickbacks, using false or inflated bids, and misusing project funds for personal benefit. The former deputy minister is accused of arranging for earthquake damage documentation work to be entrusted to the Faculty despite knowing it lacked the capacity to perform the work, enabling contracts to be awarded to a company controlled by the former dean and the ex-professor, while certifying false or inflated reports.  

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  bet365 to overhaul AML systems under AUSTRAC enforceable undertaking

  Austrac

  July 7, 2026

  AUSTRAC will require online bookmaker, bet365, to strengthen its anti‑money laundering controls after identifying serious gaps in how it manages risk and reports suspicious activity. bet365 today entered into a legally binding enforceable undertaking requiring the company to overhaul its systems, including establishing a robust, ongoing risk assessment approach, underpinned by clear methodology and processes, and strengthening how it detects and reports suspicious transactions as risks evolve. AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said strong risk assessments and diligent reporting are critical to protecting Australia’s financial system.