NEWS: UK consumer group calls for regulators to take on Big Tech over social media scams

Regulatory Watch News

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  Global cybercrime crackdown: over 373 000 dark web sites shut down

  Europol

  March 20, 2026

  On 9 March 2026, a global operation led by German authorities and supported by Europol was launched against one of the largest networks of fraudulent platforms in the dark web. The investigation began in mid-2021 against the dark web platform “Alice with Violence CP”. During the investigation, authorities discovered that the platform’s operator was running more than 373 000 fraudulent websites advertising child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) offerings.

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  Spain: EPPO launches investigation into possible fraud involving EU funds for maintenance of Madrid-Seville high-speed rail line

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  March 20, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 20 March 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Madrid confirms that it has opened an investigation into possible fraud affecting EU funds earmarked for the maintenance of the section of the railway track near the kilometre marker 318,7 and the town of Adamuz (Cordoba, Spain), on the high-speed rail line (AVE) connecting Madrid and Seville. This exceptional confirmation comes following high public interest. No further details will be made public at this stage.  

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  Hearing fixed for first criminal prosecution in District Court against securities fraud involving illegal short selling under SFO

  Securities and Futures Commission

  March 20, 2026

  The Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today granted an application by the Department of Justice to transfer a securities fraud case brought by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to the District Court for criminal proceedings. This marks the first time in which a criminal prosecution for securities fraud involving illegal short selling under section 300 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) will be held in the District Court. The first hearing in the District Court will take place on 9 April 2026.