Category: Financial Crime

Regulatory Watch News

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  French-Spanish operation targets hazardous waste trafficking network: four arrested

  Europol

  July 13, 2026

  International cooperation between French and Spanish authorities, supported by Europol, has resulted in the arrest of four suspects in Spain involved in the smuggling of hazardous construction waste. The investigation focused on an alleged cross-border network that illegally transported tonnes of demolition waste from France to Spain, posing serious risks to public health and the environment. During the coordinated action day, simultaneous operations were conducted across several regions in France, and in Barcelona and its outskirts. In addition to the arrests, authorities seized large quantities of electronic devices and documentation across 20 locations in France and four in Spain.  

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  Scam alert related to banks

  HKMA

  July 13, 2026

  The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press release issued by the bank listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which has been reported to the HKMA.  Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.  

  Bank	Type of Scam
  Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited	Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen

   

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  Over 5,800 arrests, USD 293 million intercepted in global fraud bust

  Interpol

  July 10, 2026

  LYON, France – A global anti-fraud operation involving 97 countries and territories has led to the arrest of 5,811 individuals and the interception of USD 293 million in illicit assets. Operation First Light 2026 (15 Jan 2026 – 30 April 2026), coordinated by INTERPOL, focused on combatting social engineering scams and associated money laundering activities. Social engineering is a broad term that refers to techniques that exploit a person’s trust to obtain money or confidential information. This type of fraud can include business email compromise, sextortion, as well as romance, impersonation or investment scams.te