News
News found: 2250 of 2250
Commission: Need for Reinforced FIU Cooperation
In a series of anti-money laundering reports (all published on 24 July 2019), the Commission assessed the framework for cooperation between Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs).The Commission concludes that cooperation has improved greatly over the past few years. However, several shortcomings remain. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Money Laundering
Spotlight Commission Brings AML Regulation Into Play
On 24 July 2019, the Commission published a report on recent alleged money laundering cases involving EU credit institutions (COM(2019) 373 final). This report is the Commission’s response to requests from the European Parliament and the Council to carry out a thorough review of whether there are structural flaws in the regulatory and supervisory framework. Read more
EU
Money Laundering
2019 Risk Assessment Report on Money Laundering
The Supranational Risk Assessment (SNRA) report of 24 July 2019 systematically analyses the money laundering or terrorist financing risks of specific products and services. It focuses on vulnerabilities identified at the EU level, both in terms of legal framework and in terms of effective application, and provides recommendations for addressing them. Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Spotlight Commission: Better Implementation of the EU’s AML Framework Needed
On 24 July 2019, the Commission published a Communication and four reports that assess the risks of money laundering and the implementation of the EU’s anti-money laundering/countering terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework. The package is designed to support European and national bodies so that they may better counter the risks of money laundering. Read more
EU
Money Laundering
New Data Mining Tool to Combat VAT Fraud
Since mid-May 2019, EU Member States are able to use a new electronic tool that is expected to detect VAT fraud at an early stage. The Transaction Network Analysis (TNA) is an automated data mining tool that interconnects Member States’ tax IT platforms. Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
ECA: Fighting Fraud in the Cohesion Sector is Unsatisfactory
Member States made improvements in identifying fraud risks and in designing preventive measures, but detection, response, and coordination efforts must be considerably strengthened when it comes to tackling fraud in cohesion spending. This is the main conclusion drawn by the European Court of Auditor’s (ECA) Special Report no. 06/2019. Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
ECA Indicates Tax Vulnerabilities of E-Commerce
The EU’s and Member States’ efforts to collect the correct amount of VAT and customs duties in conjunction with the trade of goods and services via the Internet are not sufficient, as concluded by the Special Report no. 12/2019 by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Tax Evasion
Time Limit for Transposing PIF Directive Expired
The EU Member States had to adopt and publish regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Directive (EU) 2017/1371 on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (in short: the “PIF Directive”) by 6 July 2019. 16 Member States had communicated their implementation measures to the Commission by the transposition deadline. Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Council Conclusions on Synergies between Eurojust and Judicial EU Networks
At its meeting on 6 June 2019, the JHA Council adopted conclusions “on the synergies between Eurojust and the networks established by the Council in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters.” The Council acknowledged the vital role played, in the area of cooperation in criminal matters in the European Union, by Eurojust and by four networks established by the Council. Read more
EU
Eurojust
European Judicial Network (EJN)
Setting up the EPPO – State of Play
The Commission informed the Justice Ministers about the state of play of setting up the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) at their meeting in Luxembourg on 6 June 2019. Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
Action against Illegal and Counterfeit Pesticides
The joint operation “Silver Axe IV” enabled authorities to seize 550 tons of illegal/counterfeit pesticides in 2019. The total amount of this seizure would cover a surface of up to 50,000 km² ‒ approximately equivalent to the territory of Estonia. The operation involved national police, … Read more
EU
OLAF
Operation “Postbox II”: First Customs-Led Cyber Patrol in Europe
OLAF reported on a significant strike against online criminals trafficking drugs, counterfeit goods, and endangered animal and plant species. Led by OLAF and the Belgian customs service, the operation codenamed “Postbox II” involved customs services from 22 Member States and Europol. It was the first … Read more
EU
OLAF
OLAF and German Prosecutor Trace Misuse of EU Research Money
With the support of OLAF, German authorities (spearheaded by the Mannheim’s prosecution service) seized huge amounts of documents and data which are to prove embezzlement and subsidy fraud allegedly committed by four persons between 51 and 56 years of age. They are alleged of having … Read more
EU
OLAF
Eurojust & OLAF Increase Cooperation
At a high-level meeting between OLAF and Eurojust on 11 July 2019, both bodies agreed to reinforce cooperation in tackling crimes against the EU budget. Read more
EU
OLAF
Eurojust
General Court: No Unlawful Conduct by OLAF vis-à-vis Former European Commissioner
On 6 June 2019, the General Court dismissed the action brought by former Maltese European Commissioner John Dalli in which he claimed compensation for non-material damage caused to him by alleged unlawful conduct against him by OLAF and the Commission (case T-399/17). Read more
EU
OLAF
European Council: Security Remains Priority Area in the Next Five Years
On 20 June 2019, the European Council of the European Union adopted a new strategic agenda for the next five years (2019-2024). Security – which had already been made one of the main priorities by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during his term of office – remains high on the agenda. The new agenda focuses on four main priorities. Read more
EU
Security Union
Council