Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) returned Rs6 billion in recovered assets to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the first phase of one of Pakistan's largest financial fraud cases.
Fraud & scams
Iraqi authorities seized $10 million in cash and 40 properties during corruption investigation into detained Deputy Oil Minister Adnan Al Jumaili. The probe involves allegations of kickbacks and embezzlement in mainly refinery contracts. Al Jumaili has been arrested.
Fraud & scams
Transparency Venezuela documented 719 assets across 21 countries traced to corruption investigations from Venezuela (2009-2026), totaling over $3.9 billion.
Fraud & scams
Hong Kong SFC issued circular June 2, 2026 warning brokers and virtual asset platforms about AI-enhanced cybersecurity vulnerabilities enabling unauthorized access to client data and asset misappropriation. Cyber incidents rose 27% to 15,877 in 2025.
Fraud & scams
Singapore's Anti-Scam Centre partnered with cryptocurrency exchanges including Coinbase, Gemini, and OKX to prevent over $4.2 million in potential losses across government impersonation, investment, job, and romance scams.
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.
Money laundering
Belgian prosecutors opened investigation into Wise Europe over allegations accounts were used to launder proceeds from fraud, corruption and drug trafficking.
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.
Fraud & scams
Facundo Leal, former president of ARSAT and ORSNA who served under both Alberto Fernández and Javier Milei administrations, was arrested on May 28, 2026 with over $2.5 million in undeclared cash, drugs (ketamine, MDMA, cocaine), and a mysterious single-person company.
Fraud & scams
UK Serious Fraud Office secured £10M penalty plus £4.8M investigation costs from Ultra Electronics Holdings Ltd via Deferred Prosecution Agreement for failure to prevent bribery under section 7 of Bribery Act 2010.
Fraud & scams
Reyad Salahaldeen, 57, of Buford, Georgia sentenced to 151 months; Mohamad Mustafa, 28, of Duluth, Georgia sentenced to 36 months for scheme to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, private insurers by submitting $522M+ in fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary genetic tests obtained through illegal kickbacks/bribes.
Fraud & scams
Dubai Police arrested members of a criminal gang who orchestrated an elaborate fraud scheme involving a fake princess impersonation to steal Dh12 million ($3.3 million) worth of premium oud from a trader. The perpetrators deceived the oud merchant by impersonating a member of a royal family.
Fraud & scams
SEC filed civil complaint against Nathan Fuller, founder of Privvy Investments, for allegedly operating $12.3 million Ponzi scheme affecting 150+ victims. Fuller falsely claimed to offer access to non-existent AI-based trading algorithms with unrealistic 40-50% returns within 30-45 days.
Money laundering
Operation Chameleón concluded its preliminary stage in late May 2026, investigating a corruption and money laundering network within the National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation (Intrant), involving former director Hugo Beras and businessman José Ángel Gómez Canaán. The SeNaSa 2.
Money laundering
On May 29, the General Prosecutor's Office dismantled the criminal organization 'Del Caballito', dedicated to money laundering and issuance of false tax receipts. 440 personnel were deployed across nine states with 30 simultaneous raids.
The SEC charged Nathan Fuller in a crypto asset trading scheme in which he allegedly raised approximately $12.3 million from about 150 investors based on misrepresentations, including that he would use proprietary AI-based trading bots.
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.
Buenos Aires Provincial Prosecutor's Office conducted 90 simultaneous raids across Argentina (Buenos Aires, Jujuy, Mendoza, Santa Fe, Misiones, Córdoba, Formosa, Entre Ríos), resulting in 21 arrests for investment fraud, fake applications, and money laundering through cryptocurrencies.
Fraud & scams
Nicolas Sarkozy's appeal trial took place from March 16 to May 27, 2026, with judgment expected on November 30.
Fraud & scams
The World Bank imposed an 18-month debarment on China National Technical Import & Export Corporation (CNTIC), a Beijing-based state-owned enterprise, for fraudulent practices affecting three energy infrastructure projects in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Maldives.
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.
Colombia's National Police executed Operation Nemesis Plus, seizing properties valued at over 24.934 billion pesos ($24.9B COP) for asset forfeiture.
Money laundering
Greg Lindberg, 56, Tampa, Florida, sentenced to 12 years for orchestrating multibillion-dollar insurance fraud and bribery scheme (2016-2019).
Money laundering
A Georgian citizen was sentenced to 37 months in prison for laundering more than $1.1 million in illicit health care fraud proceeds to his co-conspirators located abroad.
Fraud & scams
Ecuadorian courts ordered preventive detention for former Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves in investigation into alleged misappropriation of public funds. Involves electricity generation contracts signed during President Daniel Noboa's administration amid energy crisis.
Fraud & scams
Leonard Pick, 62, of Palm Beach Shores, Florida, and Brian Kent, 59, of Tampa, Florida, were charged with orchestrating a bribery and major fraud conspiracy that corrupted the competitive procurement process for a Department of War technology innovation lab in the Pacific.
Money laundering
Colombian citizen Alex Saab, described as primary financial operator for Maduro's Venezuelan regime, faces federal charges in Miami.
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.
Fraud & scams
Interpol Operation Rameses (October 2025 - February 2026) dismantled cybercrime infrastructure across 13 Arab countries including Gulf states. Police identified approximately 3,867 victims and arrested 201 suspects, with 382 additional individuals identified as connected to cyber fraud.
Fraud & scams
DOJ National Fraud Enforcement Division announced second consecutive week (after May 8) of $1B+ fraud enforcement actions.
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.
Money laundering
Antalya Manavgat Municipality Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara sentenced to 46 years 10 months 15 days in prison and 2.5 million lira administrative fine for organizing crime syndicate, bribery, extortion, embezzlement, and money laundering.
Fraud & scams
Federal jury in Southern District of Florida convicted Brett Blackman, 42, of Kansas, founder/owner of HealthSplash for operating DMERx platform that generated false doctors' orders and prescriptions to defraud Medicare and federal healthcare programs of $1B+ for unnecessary durable medical equipment.
Money laundering
State Attorney's Office filed indictment against Elazar Vigdorowitz, 34, former 'operations officer' of Gur Hasidic sect, for elaborate real estate fraud scheme. Charges include fraud under aggravated circumstances, document forgery, use of forged documents, and money laundering.
Money laundering
Dubai Police Anti-Fraud Center warned of part-time job scam where victims are lured through social media with easy work offers, then their bank accounts are exploited to launder money from fraud operations.
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.
Money laundering
OCCRP investigation revealed Worldclear, tiny New Zealand payment firm, transferred hundreds of millions for high-risk clients including wire fraud fugitives, tax fraud convicts, and Belarusian oligarch.
Fraud & scams
A Kuwaiti criminal court convicted seven defendants—including Kuwaiti nationals and two Americans—of embezzling state investment funds from the Public Institution for Social Security and Kuwait Ports Authority.
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.
Fraud & scams
Arab national created fraudulent bank called 'Jami Bank' and defrauded 3 Asian victims of total $1.5 million (5.5 million dirhams). Dubai Court of Appeal upheld 3-month prison sentence plus fine of 5.509 million dirhams. Civil court ordered full compensation to victims with 5% interest.
Money laundering
Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek appeared before a judge regarding allegations in a bribery and corruption investigation.
The SEC charged 21 individuals for their alleged involvement in a decade-long insider trading scheme that used information misappropriated from multiple global law firms and resulted in millions of dollars in illicit profits.
Fraud & scams
World Bank updated its listing of debarred firms and individuals on May 5, 2026. As of March 31, 2026, the World Bank Debarment list includes 1,386 firms and individuals barred by World Bank Group from receiving Bank-financed contracts due to fraud, corruption or collusion.
Fraud & scams
President Claudia Sheinbaum requested National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) director Arturo Reyes Sandoval publicly clarify investigations into alleged embezzlement and financial mismanagement at institution.
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.
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
Dubai Police Operation 'Tri-Force Sentinel' dismantled international fraud network in cooperation with FBI and Chinese Police. Arrested 276 individuals (mostly Southeast Asian) operating 9 fraud centers engaged in High-Yield Investment Scams (HYIS) and cryptocurrency fraud.
Money laundering
Dubai Police, in coordination with FBI and Chinese Ministry of Public Security under UAE Ministry of Interior, dismantled nine scam centers and arrested 276 individuals involved in cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes including 'pig butchering' scams, high-yield investment fraud, and virtual currency fraud.
Fraud & scams
Unprecedented cooperation between the FBI, Dubai Police Department, and Chinese Ministry of Public Security resulted in the arrest of at least 276 individuals and the dismantlement of at least nine scam centers used for cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes, known as 'pig butchering' scams.
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.
Money laundering
Montgomery, Alabama grand jury indicted the SPLC on 11 counts alleging the organization diverted over $3 million in donor funds (2014-2023) to individuals associated with violent extremist groups including KKK, Aryan Nations, National Socialist Movement, and American Nazi Party through fictitious…
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.
Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar (Likud) was interrogated at Lahav 433 for approximately 12 hours on suspicion of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in the Histadrut affair. According to police sources, insurance agent Ezra Gabai allegedly provided bribes to Zohar within his Likud role.
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.
Vincent J. Camarda, Long Island investment adviser and CEO of A.G. Morgan Financial Advisors LLC, pleaded guilty to securities fraud and investment adviser fraud for defrauding 430+ investors (many elderly) of $138-160 million.
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.
World Bank imposed debarment with conditional release on Aktif Elektroteknik San ve Tic A.S. for minimum of one year and three months following findings of corrupt and fraudulent practices in Iraq.
OFAC designated six individuals and two entities for facilitating North Korean IT worker fraud schemes that generated nearly $800 million in 2024 to fund DPRK weapons programs. Network includes Amnokgang Technology Development Company and facilitators in Vietnam, Laos, Spain.
Fraud & scams
Dubai Court of First Instance ordered Asian national defendant to repay Dh1.291 million to victim, jointly with fugitive accomplices, after conviction for cryptocurrency fraud.
Money laundering
Deferred Prosecution Agreement reached between U.S. Department of Justice and Halkbank on March 9, 2026 regarding fraud, money laundering, and sanctions violations charges.
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.
Fraud & scams
Department of Justice filed civil forfeiture complaints against $15.
FinCEN imposed $80 million civil money penalty against Canaccord Genuity LLC for willful BSA violations during March 2018-June 2024. Largest penalty ever imposed against a broker-dealer for BSA violations. Combined with SEC ($20M) and FINRA ($20M) penalties totaling $120M.
Fraud & scams
INTERPOL's 2026 Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment warns fraud is now central to organized crime, intersecting with human trafficking and cybercrime. AI-enhanced fraud 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. Agentic AI systems can autonomously execute complete fraud campaigns.
Money laundering
Christopher Alexander Delgado, 34, Apopka, Florida, charged with operating Goliath Ventures (formerly Gen-Z Venture Firm) cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme (January 2023-January 2026).
Money laundering
Daren Li, a Chinese and Saint Kitts and Nevis national, is on the run from a 20-year US prison sentence for his role in a Cambodia-based cryptocurrency scam operation.
Fraud & scams
World Bank announced 15-month debarment of Ecuador-based Consultoria Técnica Cia. Ltda. CONTEC in connection with fraudulent practices under the Guayaquil Wastewater Management Project.
Money laundering
On February 18, 2026, a federal jury in Pennsylvania found Charles Hunter Hobson — a former U.S.-based coal company executive — guilty of violating the FCPA and other federal criminal laws for alleged bribes paid through a third party to secure lucrative contracts with a state-run company overseas.
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.
Fraud & scams
Bahrain Economic Crimes Department arrested Arab national (41 years) for electronic fraud targeting multiple victims through bank accounts receiving money via fraudulent methods. Part of ongoing anti-fraud enforcement.
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
Renat Abramov, 36, Bank of America relationship manager in Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for participating in scheme to launder $8+ million in fraudulently obtained Medicare reimbursements.
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.
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.
The SEC filed settled charges against Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) and its former executives for materially inflating the performance of a key business segment, Nutrition.
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.
The SEC highlighted additional recent fraud cases, including an ATM-related fraudulent scheme involving $770 million from approximately 2,700 investors and a Ponzi scheme in which approximately 300 investors were defrauded of at least $140 million.
Fraud & scams
The UAE's Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced imposing fines of Dh5.5 million on companies over unlicensed financial and investment activities, as part of efforts to uphold market integrity and safeguard investors against fraud and unlawful practices.
Fraud & scams
A Kuwaiti fugitive convicted in a public funds embezzlement and forgery case was arrested in Dubai following a joint security operation coordinated between Kuwait and the UAE. The individual was sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison with hard labour.
The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint against more than $225.3 million in cryptocurrency connected to theft and laundering of funds from victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes. This represents the largest cryptocurrency seizure in U.S. Secret Service history.
Fraud & scams
A Dubai civil court ordered two women convicted in a fake online trading scam to pay Dh700,000 in compensation to a man who lost his savings after being lured into investing through a bogus global markets platform.
Money laundering
The State Prosecutor's Office filed serious indictments against five defendants accused of systematically marketing public lands in the Sakhnin area belonging to the Israel Lands Authority.
A vast international money laundering network linked to fake cryptocurrency investment fraud was dismantled in late October 2025, as announced by the Paris prosecutor's office in November 2025. Nearly $700 million were laundered online through this vast network.
Fraud & scams
Employees at Shlomo Insurance are suspected of perpetrating fraud by manipulating vehicle damage classifications and submitting falsified invoices.
Four police officers from Unit Lahav 433 were detained on suspicion of operating an organized money laundering framework connected to the Musli crime family's operations. The allegations include bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and privacy law violations.
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.
Money laundering
ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority imposed total financial penalties of $12.46 million on Hayvn Group of Companies, AC Holding Limited, AC Limited, and former CEO Christopher Flinos for serious regulatory breaches.
Fraud & scams
Moshe Barak, former CFO of PlayTech PLC (London-listed online gambling company), was indicted in Tel Aviv District Court for concealing taxable income from exercised stock options worth approximately 4.5 million shekels.
Fraud & scams
The Justice Department announced its 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals.
Fraud & scams
Saudi courts convicted five judges (sentences ranging from 1 to 7.5 years), a former Shura Council member (7.5 years plus 500,000 riyal fine), and a former ambassador (5 years) on charges including bribery, abuse of authority, and embezzlement of public funds.
Money laundering
Saudi Anti-Corruption Authority detained 233 suspects from six ministries (Defense, Interior, National Guard, Health, Justice, Municipal Affairs) in December 2021, conducting 5,518 inspection rounds and investigating 641 individuals for bribery, money laundering, embezzlement, and forgery.
Fraud & scams
Saudi Anti-Corruption Authority exposed seven major cases including: 69 officials accepting millions in bribes from medical waste company; appeals court judge accepting luxury vehicle for improper rulings; traffic officer extracting 20,000 riyals through false documentation; bank employee receiving 129,800 riyals for fraudulent loan processing.