NEWS: 13 arrested as France and Romania target €306m money laundering gang

Regulatory Watch News

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  FCA to explore quantum computing to tackle financial crime

  Financial Conduct Authority

  November 5, 2026

  A new initiative will bring together firms, quantum technology providers, and national research labs to explore practical applications of quantum computing.

  The FCA will bring together financial services firms, quantum technology providers and national research laboratories to explore how quantum computing could help tackle financial crime. The Quantum Experimentation Group, the first of its kind for a regulator, will initially explore how quantum machine learning could help detect money laundering and fraud. It will launch in the first quarter of 2027. Participants will use an FCA synthetic dataset – artificially generated data – to help overcome a key barrier to testing: access to suitable data.

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  Investigation ‘Javelin’: EPPO targets €100 million VAT carousel fraud linked to luxury cars sales

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  November 5, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 5 November 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Frankfurt (Germany) and Graz (Austria) have taken action against a criminal network operating cross-border VAT fraud schemes linked to the import and sales of luxury cars, causing estimated losses of €100 million. Under the EPPO-led investigations, code-named ‘Javelin’, searches were carried out yesterday in Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany and Poland, supported by over 900 law enforcement agents (tax and police officers). Thirteen individuals were arrested in Germany and Austria. Over 50 suspects are under investigation.

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  Operation Economic Outcast Targets Global Maritime Fraud Network Supporting Iranian Regime

  US Department of the Treasury

  November 4, 2026

  WASHINGTON—Today, as part of Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. Department of the Treasury targeted the vast criminal network of India-based Suniel Kumar Sharma and his spouse, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, who have supported Iran’s shadow fleet through a web maritime fraud. Their schemes have provided false flags and certifications to sanctioned vessels involved in transporting Iranian petroleum, including vessels operating on behalf of the Iranian military and its proxies.