NEWS: AUSTRAC publishes second draft of new AML rules, real estate agents permitted to delay due diligence

Regulatory Watch News

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  Spain: EPPO detains 18 suspects in probe into €32.8 million VAT fraud involving imported alcohol

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  March 27, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 27 March 2026) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Madrid (Spain), 18 presumed members of a criminal network, including five suspected ringleaders, were detained on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in a €32.8 million VAT fraud scheme linked to imported alcohol from several EU Member States.

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  OFSI General Licence INT/2023/2824812 extended

  OFSI

  March 27, 2026

  On 27 March 2026, the General Licence INT/2023/2824812 was extended to 26 March 2028.

  Any persons intending to use General Licence INT/2023/2824812 should consult the copy of the Licence for full details of the permissions and usage requirements.

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  AMLA concludes first public hearing on draft regulatory technical standards

  AMLA

  March 27, 2026

    The event brought together over 1600 stakeholders, including obliged entities from the financial and non-financial sectors and civil society organisations, to engage directly with the teams behind two of AMLA's draft Regulatory Technical Standards. Both sessions were opened by Executive Board Member Rikke-Louise Ørum Petersen, who emphasised that active and open engagement with stakeholders is central to AMLA’s work. As she noted, creating a strong and effective AML/CFT system across the EU will rely heavily on building regular, constructive exchanges with obliged entities and all those affected by the rules. Public hearings provide stakeholders with the valuable opportunity to speak directly with AMLA staff who developed the draft standards, ask questions, share their experience, and signal where further clarification may be helpful.