ANALYSIS: Money mules are no longer hapless recruits – they are becoming organised criminal networks

Regulatory Watch News

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  Investigation ‘Escape Room’: EPPO arrests another suspect and seizes €3.5 million

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  September 22, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 22 September 2026) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Rotterdam (the Netherlands), another suspect was arrested in connection with an investigation into criminal networks operating cross-border VAT fraud schemes linked to the sales of electronic devices, code-named ‘Escape Room’. Assets worth €3.5 million were also seized.  This arrest follows the detention of eight suspects in Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland in October 2025. The suspect is believed to have been a member of the criminal organisations under investigation. He allegedly acted as a broker in the VAT carousel scheme, serving as an intermediary between companies in the chain and claiming VAT refunds to which he was not entitled from the tax administration.

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  Scam alert related to banks

  HKMA

  September 22, 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
  Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited	Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
  OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited	Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens

   

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  More than 1200 charged in Trans-Tasman illicit drug trafficking and organised crime operation

  Australia Federal Police

  September 22, 2026

  Police and law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand have charged 1203 people with 3339 offences and seized significant quantities of illicit drugs, firearms and cash during a national week of action targeting drug trafficking and organised crime. The operation, conducted from 14-18 September, 2026, was coordinated by the Australia and New Zealand Illicit Drug Working Group (ANZIDWG). The week of action involved every Australian state and territory police agency, New Zealand police and customs, AFP, ABF, ACIC, AUSTRAC and Home Affairs.