Other
The Supreme Court summoned Sumar Deputy Félix Alonso Cantorné on June 15 to testify as an accused party for alleged administrative prevarication in contract awards when he was mayor of Altafulla (Tarragona) between 2011-2019.
Other
FINMA concluded enforcement proceedings against Wendelspiess Partners AG for serious breaches of financial services rules.
Trafficking
Two Swiss private banks, Pictet & Cie and J. Safra Sarasin, appear in a seizure request filed by Palermo prosecutors targeting the criminal proceeds of alleged Sicilian drug trafficker Giacomo Tamburello.
Fraud & scams
Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors froze bank accounts of Albania Land Development, a company linked to a $4 billion luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner, amid an investigation into allegedly fraudulent property titles.
Money laundering
Spanish National Police dismantled a criminal organization conducting sophisticated banking scams across Spain through 'smishing' and 'vishing'. 23 people arrested (17 men, 6 women) in Barcelona and Murcia.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed a $1 million penalty on FTI Consulting for engaging in a payment arrangement with VTB Bank, a US-sanctioned Russian financial institution.
Prosecutors at Copenhagen City Court are demanding 6.6 billion DKK (approximately €880 million) fine against Nordea for failing to prevent money laundering.
Fraud & scams
Spain's National Court opened trial against 41 former PP politicians, public officials, business executives accused of contract fraud during Esperanza Aguirre's Madrid government. Part of broader 'Púnica' corruption case.
Money laundering
Mediapart and the European Investigative Collaborations network revealed that British payments platform Wise is being prosecuted in Belgium for money laundering involving over €500 million, connected to hundreds of criminal cases in France and across Europe.
Money laundering
German regulator BaFin imposed €75,000 fine on AIL Leasing München AG for anti-money laundering law breaches. Company failed to document in several cases why it did not file suspicious transaction reports and failed to submit STR in timely manner.
Bribery & corruption
Portuguese police detained and released Emilio Vázquez Blanco, former PSOE organizational secretary in A Coruña and ex-Galician parliamentarian. Appeared before judge Friday, freed without precautionary measures except prohibition against communicating with other suspects.
Sanctions
FCA published review of over 150 firms' sanctions controls since February 2022, identifying systemic weaknesses including inadequate customer due diligence, poor alert management, deficient name and transaction screening, and improper frozen asset handling.
Svetlana Mesyats, a 54-year-old senior researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Philosophy, was charged with aggravated fraud for allegedly embezzling 16 million rubles from the 'Heritage of Aristotle' project.
Fraud & scams
Nicolas Sarkozy's appeal trial took place from March 16 to May 27, 2026, with judgment expected on November 30.
Fraud & scams
On 27 May 2026, Nicolas Sarkozy made his final remarks before the Paris Court of Appeal in the Libyan funding case, with a verdict expected on 30 November. The appeal trial took place from 16 March to 27 May 2026.
Other
Former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero accused of leading a 'stable and hierarchical structure' to obtain benefits through intermediation with public institutions on behalf of Plus Ultra airline, which received €53 million from the State in 2021.
Sanctions
The AMF Sanctions Commission condemned on 20 May 2026 Mr. Ytane Mamou to a fine of €30,000 and his cousin Mr. Elie Houri to €20,000 for insider trading.
Bribery & corruption
On May 20, 2026, two persons were placed under investigation: an automotive sector business executive and a gendarme officer.
Bribery & corruption
On May 19, 2026, former Spanish president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was charged in the Plus Ultra case for alleged criminal organization, influence peddling and falsification of documents related to the 53 million euro bailout of the airline during the pandemic.
Fraud & scams
The PNF announced on 19 May 2026 that an investigating judge will investigate Édouard Philippe, mayor of Le Havre and presidential candidate, for suspected misappropriation of public funds, favoritism, unlawful assumption of interests and corruption.
Fraud & scams
On May 19, 2026, the National Financial Prosecutor (PNF) announced a judge will investigate Le Havre mayor Édouard Philippe for alleged misappropriation of public funds, favoritism, illegal conflict of interest, and malfeasance.
Sanctions
The ACPR Sanctions Commission imposed on 13 May 2026 a reprimand and a pecuniary sanction of twenty million euros to Société Générale for its insurance intermediary activity. This is the highest sanction ever pronounced by the ACPR since 2018.
Fraud & scams
François Bernardini, mayor of Istres (Left), and several collaborators will appear before the Paris criminal court from 1 to 22 June 2026 for misappropriation of public funds, favoritism and unlawful assumption of interests.
Other
Geneva Criminal Court convicted a wealth manager on April 28, 2026 for breach of trust and disloyal management.
Money laundering
Andriy Yermak, 54, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's former chief of staff, appeared in court as prosecutors sought detention on money laundering charges. Ukraine's anti-corruption court ordered arrest with bail set at 140M hryvnias ($3.19M). Prosecutors allege Yermak funneled ~460M hryvnias ($10.
Sanctions
The ACPR Sanctions Commission issued a reprimand and a financial penalty of €20 million against Société Générale in its capacity as an insurance intermediary.
Other
Sophia Chikirou, deputy of La France Insoumise and candidate for Paris mayor, was tried from May 12, 2026 for fraud in an affair dating to July 2018 concerning the news site Le Média.
Money laundering
Spain's People's Party demanded accountability from former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and PM Pedro Sánchez regarding alleged money laundering.
Fraud & scams
On May 11, 2026, French Parliament definitively adopted legislation to combat social and fiscal fraud (244-99 vote in Senate). The government estimates the law could recover up to €1.5 billion annually.
Other
The FCA opened an enforcement investigation into Consultation Claims Limited (CCL) following concerns about its conduct from April 2025 to December 2025, investigating allegations that consumers may have been signed up without consent and that signatures may have been forged.
Fraud & scams
On May 9, 2026, Nice prosecutor's office opened a preliminary investigation targeting former mayor Christian Estrosi and his wife Laura Tenoudji (France 2 host) for receiving misappropriated public funds.
FINTRAC imposed an administrative monetary penalty of $42,075 on VersaBank, headquartered in London, Ontario, on February 23, 2026 for AML/CTF compliance violations.
Fraud & scams
Deputy Sophia Chikirou went on trial starting May 12, 2026 for fraud involving a €67,146 invoice to Le Média. She is suspected of attempting to deceive Crédit du Nord bank. The prosecutor requested €50,000 in fines (mostly suspended); verdict scheduled for June 8, 2026.
Other
Three people were arrested as part of a crackdown on suspected illegal financial promotions, with homes in the Chelmsford and Romford areas searched as part of an operation led by the FCA.
Fraud & scams
The PNF issued a search warrant on May 7, 2026, made public on May 19. The investigation concerns former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, current mayor of Le Havre and declared candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Fraud & scams
Crime and Policing Act 2026 received Royal Assent April 29, takes effect June 29, 2026. Expands corporate criminal liability beyond economic crimes to ALL criminal offences committed by 'senior managers' acting within actual/apparent scope of authority.
Fraud & scams
In April 2026, judicial journalist Stéphane Sellami (Paris-Match, former BFMTV) and a retired police commander were placed under investigation in Paris for corruption, theft of files and violation of professional confidentiality.
Russian businessman Denis Katsyv, suspected in money laundering from the Magnitsky case, withdrew approximately 6 million Swiss francs from Switzerland to his accounts abroad. Switzerland had blocked the assets for ten years as part of the tax fraud investigation uncovered by Sergei Magnitsky.
Other
The FCA set out plans on 15 April 2026 to take action against Hartley Pensions Limited and an individual involved at the firm.
Securities & markets
On April 13, 2026, Paris Criminal Court convicted three individuals for insider trading related to Air Liquide's 2015 takeover bid for American company Airgas.
Other
FSB detained a St. Petersburg resident suspected of illegal export of military goods and technologies, specifically attempting to transfer components for repairing diesel generators for Varshavyanka project submarines to a foreigner.
Fraud & scams
Spanish National Court judge attributed alleged €88 million tax fraud to Álvaro Romillo, businessman who provided €100,000 to MEP Luis 'Alvise' Pérez. Romillo faces charge alongside criminal allegations as suspected ringleader of cryptocurrency investment scam through Madeira Invest Club platform.
Money laundering
On April 1, 2026, the AMF imposed a €300,000 fine on Kerdiz Finance et Conseil and €75,000 fines each on directors Anthony Finck and Marc Peuvrier, plus a five-year ban on financial advisory activity.
Bribery & corruption
Reims University Hospital filed a complaint against X following the revelation of a corruption affair involving one of its physicians, a neuroradiologist suspected of testing products proposed by American company Balt in exchange for remuneration over 10 years.
Money laundering
Pascal N., 65 years old, resident and well-known entrepreneur of Saint-Briac-sur-Mer (Ille-et-Vilaine), is suspected of orchestrating a vast national Ponzi scheme that defrauded approximately 500 investors for a total amount of €106 million.
Fifth annual Operation Henhouse UK-wide fraud campaign (February 2026) coordinated by National Economic Crime Centre and City of London Police resulted in 557 arrests, 249 cease and desist notices, 172 voluntary interviews. £9M secured through Account Freezing Orders, £2.8M cash seizures, £15.
Money laundering
Seven people were placed under investigation on 26 March 2026 in a health insurance fraud case involving an estimated amount of €58 million, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. The charges include organized fraud, organized money laundering and participation in a criminal association.
Securities & markets
FCA imposed £338,000 penalty on Dinosaur Merchant Bank Limited for failing to detect/report suspicious orders and transactions in contract for difference (CFD) business. Breached Article 16(2) UK MAR, Principle 3, SYSC 6.1.1R during June 2024-May 2025.
Bribery & corruption
The preliminary investigation targeting French IT services giant Atos (63,000 employees), initially opened two years ago for private corruption, was recently expanded to potential misappropriation of corporate assets, as confirmed by the National Financial Prosecutor (PNF) on 23 March.
Other
Martine Froger, socialist-affiliated deputy for Ariège, was placed under investigation on 23 March 2026 for breach of trust, breach of trust in organized conspiracy, failure to appoint statutory auditors, forgery and use of forgery, undeclared work, abuse of corporate assets and incomplete declarations to the HATVP.
Money laundering
BaFin imposed three administrative fines totaling €140,000 on Frankfurt-based DLT Securities GmbH for violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act from at least May 1, 2022 to February 18, 2025.
In a first for France, two French companies spontaneously reported to authorities bribes paid by their subsidiaries to secure contracts, and accepted fines to end proceedings.
On March 18, 2026, ACPR and Direction générale du Trésor published updated guidelines on implementing asset freezing measures, replacing June 2021 text.
Fraud & scams
On 10 March 2026, Luc Pastorel, director general of the SOS Oxygène group (€578.3 million revenue in 2025), was sentenced by the Paris criminal court to 20 months' suspended prison and a fine of €1.5 million for organized tax fraud.
Financial Times identified a network of 48 companies involved in transporting Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions worth $90 billion. All 48 companies were discovered to use the same private email server, revealing a coordinated sanctions evasion scheme.
Fraud & scams
Marine Le Pen was tried in appeal from 13 January to 12 February 2026, alongside eleven former FN/RN executives, for misappropriation of public funds in the European parliamentary assistants case.
Money laundering
The president of the Paris judicial court approved a public interest judicial agreement (CJIP) between the National Financial Prosecutor's Office and Paprec.
On February 9, 2026, gendarmes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur dismantled a social fraud and money laundering network following a routine traffic stop. Damages to tax services, URSSAF (social security), and CAF (family allowances) estimated at nearly €1.8 million.
Money laundering
Market Financial Solutions (MFS), a London-based bridging finance lender, entered administration in February 2026 amid allegations of serious misconduct, with creditors facing an estimated shortfall of over £1.3 billion.
The Paris correctional court convicted 5 natural persons and 5 legal entities for private corruption, organized market manipulation or insider trading offenses dating to 2018.
On January 29, 2026, Paris Criminal Court sentenced 5 individuals and 5 legal entities for private corruption, organized market manipulation, and insider trading from 2018. Former CEO Jean-Charles Naouri received 4 years imprisonment (1 year under electronic monitoring) and €1 million fine.
On 27 January 2026, gendarmes arrested seven people in Oise, Var and Bouches-du-Rhône as part of a social contribution fraud investigation. Following custodial interrogations, four people were placed under investigation, one of them in custody.
Sanctions
The AMF Sanctions Committee condemned Makor Securities Paris to a fine of €700,000 and its director Yankel Hassan to €150,000 for serious failings in their market abuse detection system.
BaFin imposed €325,000 fine on VR-Bank Bad Salzungen Schmalkalden eG for deficiencies in anti-money laundering prevention during fiscal year 2023 under former management.
Money laundering
On 15 January 2026, the Marseille criminal court sentenced Jean and Viviane Badache to 7 years in prison for organized fraud, forgery and aggravated money laundering. The Apollonia case affected approximately 750 victims with damages exceeding €1.2 billion between 2004 and 2016.
Other
Working with HMRC and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, the FCA targeted 8 premises suspected of illegal peer-to-peer crypto trading, issuing cease and desist letters at each site.
Ultra Electronics Holdings Ltd has been ordered to pay a £10 million penalty and £4.8 million in SFO investigation costs within 30 days, following approval of a deferred prosecution agreement with the Serious Fraud Office after acknowledging failure to prevent bribery under the Bribery Act 2010.
Money laundering
In its decision of 31 December 2025, the Sanctions Commission imposed fines of 200,000 €, 70,000 € and 35,000 € respectively against M Capital Partners and its executives, Rudy Secco and Stéphanie Minissier, for breaches of several professional obligations between August 2019 and December 2023.
Money laundering
In its decision of 10 December 2025, the Sanctions Commission imposed fines of 400,000 € and 100,000 € respectively against asset management company Novaxia Investissement and one of its former executives, Joachim Azan, for breaching several professional obligations.
Bribery & corruption
Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, will be tried from 16 to 28 September 2026 alongside former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn for corruption and influence trafficking.
Sanctions
In its decision of 15 September 2025, the Sanctions Commission imposed fines of 600,000 €, 500,000 € and 200,000 € respectively against asset management company Altaroc Partners and its executives, Maurice Tchenio and Patrick de Giovanni, for breaches of their professional obligations.
Money laundering
The investment banking branch of Crédit Agricole (Cacib) accepted to pay a fine of approximately €88 million to obtain abandonment of an investigation in the 'CumCum' tax fraud affair, at a hearing before the Paris court on September 8, 2025.
Five people were sentenced to more than 35 years in prison after one of the biggest money laundering investigations conducted by Leicestershire Police. The investigation revealed more than £53m had been laundered by the group between 2019 and 2021 using a complex mule network and cryptocurrency.