Category: Sanctions

Regulatory Watch News

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  4th annual OLAF Expenditure Conference takes place in Cyprus

  OLAF

  June 4, 2026

  The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), in cooperation with the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union and AFCOS Cyprus¹ , hosted the 4^th annual OLAF Expenditure Conference this week in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. The conference brought together high level representatives from European institutions, Member States and specialised anti-fraud authorities to discuss the protection of the European Union’s financial interests and the future of the EU anti-fraud framework in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 to 2034.

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  Fake document factory dismantled in Spain: around 800 IDs seized

  Europol

  June 4, 2026

  A French-led investigation, supported by Spain and Europol, led to the dismantling of a counterfeit document production facility in Alicante, Spain. The investigation involved the French National Police (Police Nationale/OLTIM) and the Spanish National Police (Policía National/UCRIF). The operational actions on 27 May 2026 led to one arrest and the seizure of approximately 800 forged European documents, document-production equipment, digital devices, a vehicle, and EUR 1 580 in cash. The search of the apartment, rented under a false name, uncovered a fully operational counterfeit document workshop, highlighting the industrial-scale production methods increasingly used by organised crime groups involved in document fraud.

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  Football clubs warned about questionable sponsorship deals with unauthorised financial firms

  Financial Conduct Authority

  June 4, 2026

  According to the FCA, a number of unauthorised firms, including crypto businesses and trading platforms, are using sponsorship to target unwitting football fans. These unauthorised firms may be breaching UK financial services laws by providing financial services in the UK without authorisation. Fans using these firms risk losing all their money. The FCA has written directly to football clubs, mainly in the Premier League, to warn about their relationships with these firms and remind them of their responsibilities to fans. Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments at the FCA, said: 'Millions of football fans trust their club’s badge. Clubs should not let unauthorised financial firms exploit that loyalty by putting potentially dodgy products in front of millions of fans. 'A logo on a shirt means one thing: that firm paid for it. Fans should always check the firm using our Firm Checker tool before buying a financial product and help us show the red card to those that would risk your money.'