Category: Australia

Regulatory Watch News

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  Poland: Suspect caught red-handed in case involving fake identities to obtain Clean Air funds

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  September 24, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 24 September 2026) – An individual suspected of stealing the identity of several citizens to fraudulently obtain funds intended to modernise residential buildings under the Clean Air programme has been arrested while withdrawing money from an ATM. The arrest follows an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Warsaw (Poland). The suspect allegedly forged documents and assumed the identities of over a dozen legitimate property owners to unlawfully obtain over € 300 000 (PLN 1.3 million) in funds earmarked for the Clean Air Programme – a Polish government scheme that provides funding to homeowners to replace polluting heating systems and improve energy efficiency in residential buildings, co-funded by the EU.

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  Scam alert related to banks

  HKMA

  September 24, 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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  New guidance on OFSI’s new licensing approach for designated Iranian banks

  OFSI

  September 23, 2026

  The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has published new guidance today. With immediate effect, HM Treasury will apply a presumption of denial to licence applications made by the five designated Iranian banks listed below. Each application will continue to be considered on its individual facts.

  • Bank Sepah
  • Melli Bank plc
  • Bank Saderat
  • Persia International Bank
  • Bank Tejarat

  This means that licence applications involving these banks will generally be refused unless there are clear and compelling reasons to justify an exception. Further details on how this test will be applied will be set out in a FAQ soon.