FINANCIAL Intelligence Units (FIUs) in Switzerland, Italy and Vatican City have discussed the challenges posed by virtual IBANs (vIBANs).
The three bodies on April 15 and 16 in Rome met to forge closer cooperation. FIU Switzerland, FIU Italy and the FIU of the Holy See all attended.
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Italy: One suspect pleads guilty in yacht import customs fraud case, another indicted
European Public Prosecutor's Office
(Luxembourg, 26 June 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Venice (Italy) has filed an indictment against a suspect in a case involving the fraudulent import of a yacht from Australia without declaring the ship to customs, in order to evade payment of VAT. Another suspect has entered into a plea agreement, subject to approval by the court.
The case concerns suspected aggravated smuggling, relating to the failure to submit a customs import declaration for a sailing yacht, a multiple winner of international regattas.
Based on the investigation, it appears that the offence has been committed jointly by a skipper based in Trieste, who imported the ship, and the director of an Australian company, the owner of the yacht in question.