News
News found: 2335 of 2335
Germany: Plans for Punishing Criminal Trading Platforms on the Internet
On 10 February, the German Federal Government passed a draft law on the criminal liability of operating criminal trading platforms on the internet and providing corresponding server infrastructures. To this end a new provisions is to be included into the German Criminal Code: Anyone who … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Reform of the European Court of Human Rights
Cybercrime
Dismantled Encryption Networks: German Courts Confirmed Use of Evidence from EncroChat Surveillance
Two German courts confirmed warrants for pre-trial detention against persons whose criminal activities had been revealed as a follow-up of the infiltration of the encrypted communication network EncroChat. On 10 March 2021, Eurojust and Europol reported another successful strike against an encrypted communication network that was predominantly used by organised crime groups. Read more
EU
Organised Crime
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Data Protection
Number of Counterfeit Euro Banknotes at Record Low in 2020
On 22 January 2021, the European Central Bank (ECB) reported that in 2020, around 460,000 counterfeit euro banknotes had been withdrawn from circulation - fewer than ever before. Compared to the total number of banknotes in circulation of over 25 billion, the number of counterfeits … Read more
EU
Counterfeiting & Piracy
EP Calls for Improvements in Taxation of Online Traders
On 10 March 2021, the European Parliament (EP) adopted, by a large majority, amendments to the Commission’s draft to amend Directive 201116/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC7). MEPs call for improvements to the tracking and taxation of online sales. According to … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
ECA: EU Exchange of Tax Data System Yet Insufficient to Prevent Tax Evasion
On 26 January 2021, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) published its Special Report 03/2021 on the exchange of tax information in the EU. The underlying tool is the Directive on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (Directive 2011/16/EU), which has been amended … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
EP Call on Reform of EU Blacklist on Tax Havens
By an overwhelming majority of 587 votes in favour (50 against and 46 abstentions), MEPs adopted a resolution on reforming the EU list of tax havens. The resolution backs a motion of December 2020 prepared by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (→ https://eucrim.eu/news/meps-call-reform-eu-list-tax-havens/). … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
AG: Union Law Allows Punishment of Self-Laundering
Advocate General Hogan held that Union law does not preclude the interpretation of a national provision which criminalises so-called self-money laundering. He is of the opinion that neither the wording of the said provision of Directive 2005/60 nor the objective of the Directive exclude the criminalisation of self-laundering. Read more
Money Laundering
Commission: Germany, Portugal, and Romania Failed to Correctly Transpose 4th AMLD
In February 2021, the Commission formally initiated infringement procedures against Germany, Portugal, and Romania for having incorrectly transposed the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/849). As an initial step, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice requesting further information to … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Protection of Financial Interests
Disputes over Budget Conditionality Mechanism
On 11 March 2021, Poland and Hungary filed an action with the CJEU seeking review of the conditionality mechanism. On 25 March 2021, the EP countered in a resolution. The EP urged the Commission to immediately start investigations of possible breaches of rule of law principles and to protect the EU budget. If the Commission fails to fulfill its obligations, the EP considers the launch of legal action before the CJEU under Art. 265 TFEU. Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Administrative Director of EPPO Appointed
On 20 January 2021, the College of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) appointed Olivier Ramsayer as its first Administrative Director. Mr Ramsayer comes from Frontex where he was Director of Corporate Governance. EPPO’s Administrative Director is the legal representative of the new body … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
Appointment of European Delegated Prosecutors in Process
The EPPO is still in the process of setting up its operational capacities. The process of appointment of the European Delegated Prosecutors is ongoing. On 11 March 2021, Belgium was the tenth EU Member States that have sent candidates for the position of European … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
EPPO Website
The website of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is launched. Information about the mandate and tasks, the members, job vacancies, news, documents, etc. is available at: https://www.eppo.europa.eu/. Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
Hits against Illegal Tobacco Trade in 2020
In a press release issued on 14 January 2021, OLAF took stock of successful operations against illegal tobacco trade in 2020. In 20 operations, national customs and law enforcement authorities were able to seize nearly 370 million cigarettes that were foreseen for the black … Read more
EU
OLAF
OLAF Investigated Irregularities in Funding Agricultural Activities in Slovakia
On 21 January 2021, OLAF reported on three cases that were closed in 2020 involving irregularities in agricultural funds in Slovakia. The three cases concerned direct payment applications made between 2013 and 2019 by several Slovakian companies. Investigations found that the conditions to receive … Read more
EU
OLAF
Eurojust
OLAF Discovers Fraud in Bulgarian Ministry and Signs Cooperation Arrangement with Bulgarian Prosecutor
On 1 February 2021, OLAF informed the public that it closed investigations into fraud and misappropriation of EU funds detected within the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior. In the case at issue, the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior received money from the EU Internal Security Fund … Read more
EU
OLAF
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
OLAF Supports Raid in Poland against Illegal Business in Medical Products
On 3 February 2021, OLAF reported that Polish police successfully raided premises of a criminal gang that did business with counterfeit and illegal pharmaceutical products. OLAF coordinated the operation which also involved authorities in France and Italy. Investigations revealed that an internationally operating organised … Read more
EU
OLAF