NEWS: White Cube among top UK art galleries hit with AML fines

Regulatory Watch News

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  Investigation Steamboat: EPPO uncovers corruption and customs fraud in the Port of Antwerp

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  January 30, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 30 January 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels (Belgium) is conducting an investigation into suspected customs fraud, corruption and the forgery of documents in the Port of Antwerp. Under the supervision of the investigating judge in Antwerp, seven searches were conducted, three individuals were arrested and several bank accounts as well as cash were seized on 20 January 2026. This action mobilised 48 customs and police officers from the investigation team from Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise (Algemene Administratie van de Douane en Accijnzen), several units from the Belgian Federal Police (CDBC, FCCU) including the Canine Support Unit and could count on the support of the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD).

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  Scam alert related to banks

  HKMA

  January 30, 2026

  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
  OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited	Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen
  Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd.	Fraudulent website

   

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  AUSTRAC backs newly regulated sectors with release of AML/CTF program starter kits

  Austrac

  January 30, 2026

  AUSTRAC has released its anti-money laundering program starter kits (kits), designed specifically to help small businesses in newly regulated sectors to meet their compliance obligations and manage ML/TF risks, while also reducing the time and cost of compliance. From 1 July, businesses providing certain designated services commonly provided by lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, conveyancers and jewellers will have obligations under the AML/CTF Act. The kits set out step-by-step actions these businesses can take to build their own anti-money laundering program and include practical tools to help businesses comply with the Act.