Our extensive knowledge at your fingertips
Europe
This section covers AML/CTF initiatives by European Commission, Council of Europe MONEYVAL, European Parliament, Europol and other related EU organisations.
New EU AML Package
Sixth EU ML Directive
Fifth EU ML Directive
Fourth EU ML Directive
Third EU ML Directive
European Commission Financial Crime
European Parliament Committee on Organised Crime, Corruption and ML
European Banking Federation Annual Overview of AML legislative measures
Europol Law Enforcement updates
MONEYVAL Evaluations
MONEYVAL Typologies
And many more…
Sections
Latest editions
Search
Topics
- Topics
- Accountability
- AML/CTF
- AML/CTF compliance programme
- Anti-corruption
- Artificial intelligence
- Asset Recovery
- Beneficial Ownership
- Biodiversity
- Blockchain
- Bribery & Corruption
- Bribes
- CDD
- Complex structures
- Confiscation & Freezing
- conflict minerals
- Conflict of Interest
- Correspondent Banking
- Corruption
- Counterfeiting
- Crime
- Cross-border finance
- Cryptoassets
- Cryptocurrencies
- Cybercrime
- Data Protection
- Deepfakes
- Democracy
- Digital assets
- Digitalisation
- Drug Trafficking
- EDD
- Enforcement
- Environmental crime
- ESG
- Ethics
- EU ML Directive
- FCPA
- Financial Crime
- Financial Inclusion & Literacy
- Financial Sanctions
- Fines & Enforcements
- FinTech
- FIU
- Fraud
- Gambling
- Greenwashing
- Human Rights
- Human Trafficking
- Illicit Finance
- Illicit Trafficking
- Information Sharing
- Integrity
- Intellectual property
- Investigations
- kleptocracy
- KYC
- Land justice
- Machine Learning
- Modern Slavery
- Money Laundering (ML)
- NPOs
- Offshore
- Onboarding
- Organised crime
- Other
- Payments
- PEPs
- Proliferation
- Proliferation of WMD
- Public Officials
- Ransomware
- RegTech
- Risk
- robotics
- Sanctions
- Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR)
- Shell Companies
- Source of wealth & funds
- Stablecoins
- Supervision
- Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs)
- Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs)
- Tax
- Tax Evasion
- Technology
- Terrorist Financing
- Trade Finance
- Trafficking
- Transaction Monitoring
- Transfers
- Transnational crime
- Transparency
- Travel
- Unexplained Wealth Order
- Virtual Assets
- Virtual currencies
- Whistleblowing
- Wildlife crime
Industry
Organisation
- Organisation
- ABA
- AFME
- Afripol
- AMLA
- AMLP
- APPG
- ASC
- Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering
- Atlantic Council
- AUSTRAC
- B20
- BAFIN
- BAFM
- Bank of England
- Basel
- BGC
- BIS
- BMA
- CBUAE
- CCAF
- CFATF
- Charity Commission
- Chatham House
- City of London Police
- CMA
- Companies House
- Corruption Watch
- Council of Europe
- Council of the EU
- CPA
- CPS
- CSSF
- DEA
- Department of Business
- DIT
- DRCF
- EBA
- EBF
- ECB
- EFCC
- EGBA
- Egmont Group
- EPPO
- ESA
- ESAAMLG
- ESMA
- EUDA
- Eurojust
- European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
- European Commission
- European Council
- European Parliament
- European Union (EU)
- Europol
- FATF
- FBI
- FCA
- FCDO
- FCO
- FDIC
- Federal Reserve
- Fenergo
- FFIS
- FIAU
- FinCEN
- FINMA
- FINRA
- FINTRAC
- FIU
- FIU-IND
- FSA / FCA
- FSB
- FSC
- FSMA
- G20
- G7
- GAFILAT
- Gambling Commission
- GCFCC
- GFI
- GI-TOC
- GIABA
- Global Initiative
- Global Integrity
- Global Witness
- GRECO
- GRETA
- HKMA
- HKSFC
- HM Treasury
- HMCPSI
- HMRC
- Home Office
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
- ICAEW
- ICC
- ICE
- ICIJ
- ICO
- IDB
- IMF
- IMLIT
- Insurance Europe
- Interpol
- IOM FSA
- ISO
- J5
- JFSC
- JMLSG
- KoFIU
- KSA
- Law Commission
- Law Society
- MAS
- MENAFATF
- Met Police
- MONEYVAL
- NAO
- NASC
- NCA
- NECC
- NED
- Netherlands FIOD
- Nice Actimize
- NYDFS
- OAG
- OCC
- OCCRP
- OECD
- OFAC
- OFSI
- OLAF
- OPBAS
- OSCE
- Other
- OTSI
- PNF
- PRA
- project CRAAFT
- PSR
- RBI
- RUSI
- Sayari
- SEBI
- SEC
- SEPA
- SFO
- Singapore Police Force
- Spotlight on corruption
- SRA
- Swiss OAG
- Tax Justice Network
- TFG
- TRACE
- TRACFIN
- Traffic
- Transparency International
- TRNC
- TRP
- UK Border Force
- UK Finance
- UK Govt
- UKACC
- UN
- UNODC
- US BIS
- US DEA
- Us DoC
- US DoJ
- US DoS
- US Govt
- US Sec
- US Senate
- US Treasury
- USAID
- VISA
- Wall Street Journal
- WCO
- White House
- Wolfsberg
- World Bank
Jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction
- Afghanistan
- Andorra
- Asia
- Australia
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Berlin
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- China
- Colombia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- EU
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Global
- Greece
- Guernsey
- Hong Kong
- India
- Iran
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Japan
- Jersey
- Kenya
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritiania
- Mexico
- Middle East
- Monaco
- Myanmar
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Norway
- Other
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- UAE
- UK
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
- US
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
AMLA takes major step toward harmonised EU AML/CFT supervision introducing 2 draft RTS on common risk assessment and selection framework to ensure consistent and robust oversight
Central to this are two draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS): one on risk assessments, which defines the data points and criteria national supervisors will use to evaluate ML/TF risks, and one on selection, which applies the same methodology for AMLA to identify entities for direct supervision. By introducing a common, harmonised approach, AMLA and national authorities will share a consistent understanding of risks, enhancing robustness and convergence in EU-wide supervision…
Swedish Police Authority releases a 2025 guide for Money transfer service providers, explaining how their services can be exploited for ML/TF, and spotlighting risks, red flags, and legal obligations
The guide explains how transfer services can be misused by criminal networks, outlines specific transaction red flags (such as unusual cash amounts, rapid structuring of funds, and transfers involving high‑risk jurisdictions), identifies suspicious customer behaviours and profiles, and highlights evolving risks including the blending of cryptocurrency with cash transfers. It also details compliance obligations under EU and Swedish AML laws — including customer due diligence, record‑keeping and timely submission of suspicious activity reports …
Europol backs a major Spanish crackdown on the transnational Black Axe network, leading to 34 arrests, asset seizures, and the disruption of multi‑million‑euro fraud, drug trafficking, and human exploitation
The Black Axe network, originally from Nigeria and now active in dozens of countries with an estimated ~30,000 members globally, is known for a wide range of criminal activities, including cyber‑enabled fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution, kidnapping, armed robbery, and “fraudulent spiritual practices.” Authorities estimate fraud linked to this operation alone caused over €5.9 million in damages. During the raids, investigators froze about €119,000 in bank accounts and seized around €66,000 in cash…
ESAs’ Final Report on ESG Stress Testing establishes a harmonised EU framework for supervisors to embed climate and ESG risks into banks’ and insurers’ stress tests with consistent methods and scenarios
It guides supervisors on selecting ESG risks, designing scenarios, allocating resources, and assessing resilience over both short‑ and long-term horizons, initially focusing on climate and environmental risks without imposing new legal obligations. These guidelines operate under a “comply or explain” framework, supporting harmonised supervisory practices under the Capital Requirements Directive and Solvency II, with full application expected by 1 January 2027…
EBA’s Final Draft RTS on Cooperation and Colleges of Supervisors for Third-Country Branches sets a unified EU framework to boost oversight and detect risks in non‑EU bank branches ahead of CRD VI in 2027
The RTS set out when and how colleges of supervisors should be formed, how authorities should share information, and guidance for mapping and proportional cooperation for smaller branches. By standardising these processes, the RTS aim to strengthen oversight, reduce supervisory gaps and regulatory arbitrage, and improve detection of emerging risks across jurisdictions. These standards support the broader third‑country branch regime under CRD VI and are expected to be fully applicable by early 2027…
AMLA’s Chair completes the first EU-wide Road Show, deepening partnerships with national authorities, supervisors and FIUs to advance a more coordinated and effective EU AML/CFT framework
The purpose was to foster open dialogue on the new EU AML/CFT framework, share perspectives on national risk landscapes and supervisory expectations, and gather practical insights into trends and challenges in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. These discussions aim to strengthen cooperation, build mutual understanding, and inform AMLA’s future work as it supports the development of a more effective and coordinated AML/CFT system across Europe…
Europol, in its latest Podcast ‘The Future of Europol’, unveils plans to expand capabilities, harness technology, and boost global cooperation to stay ahead of evolving serious and organised crime
In this Season 3 finale, Europol’s executive leadership outlines the strategic direction of the agency, emphasising the need to adapt its structures, analytical tools and partnerships to keep pace with the changing “DNA” of serious and organised crime. They highlight plans to double capabilities, enhance international reach and leverage innovation as crime becomes increasingly technology-enabled, ensuring Europol remains effective in supporting member states against future threats…
EBA, ECB and national supervisors sign an MoU to strengthen cooperation and information sharing in support of non-bank payment service providers’ access to central bank payment systems
The new MoU establishes the EU’s first unified framework for real-time information sharing on non-bank PSPs, allowing supervisors and central banks to jointly monitor safeguarding breaches, governance issues and operational disruptions – the agreement aims to curb regulatory arbitrage and cross-border fraud, closing long-standing oversight gaps…
Europol coordinates high-impact operations against transatlantic cocaine supply networks, seizing 1.6 tonnes of cocaine, €1.5M+ in assets, and dismantling supply chains from South America to Europe
Actions included the arrest of a Dutch-led network linked to Colombian traffickers, the disruption of a Brazilian maritime operation using modified fishing vessels via West Africa, and the interception of a Greek at-sea transfer network, resulting in dozens of arrests, seizure of 1.6 tonnes of cocaine, and over €1.5 million in assets. By providing intelligence, analytical support, and operational coordination, Europol helped disrupt the full criminal chain from organisers and logistics managers to European receivers, demonstrating the power of sustained international cooperation against organised cocaine trafficking…
FATF’s Mutual Evaluation of Belgium Report finds that despite a strong legal AML/CFT framework, gaps in virtual asset oversight, BO checks, sanctions, and enforcement have led to enhanced follow-up
FATF’s Mutual Evaluation assesses Belgium’s measures against money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing as largely aligned with international standards but notes persistent weaknesses in effectively addressing key risks such as virtual assets, organised crime-linked laundering, and resource constraints that limit investigations and prosecutions. It highlights uneven supervision, limited use of sanctions, insufficient technological tools for the FIU, and gaps in beneficial ownership accuracy, and provides a roadmap of key actions Belgium must complete within three years to strengthen its AML/CFT/CPF effectiveness…
ESAs publish 2 Factsheets designed to help consumers protect themselves from crypto and other online frauds and scams and explain how fraudsters increasingly use AI to deceive consumers
The three ESAs released two consumer-focused factsheets offering clear guidance on recognising common online fraud and scam tactics—such as phishing, impersonation, investment and Ponzi schemes—and how fraudsters increasingly use technologies like artificial intelligence to deceive. The materials explain warning signs, offer prevention tips (e.g., be cautious with personal/banking information and verify message sources) and will be translated into all official EU languages for wider accessibility…
EBA-ECB’s Payment Fraud Report 2025 reveals that while SCA has reduced card fraud, overall fraud losses rose from €3.5B in 2023 to €4.2B in 2024 as criminals adapt to exploit new payment channels
The report highlights that fraudsters are adapting, notably through payer manipulation (social engineering) and by targeting payment types or scenarios where Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is exempt or less effective. Breakdown by instrument shows credit transfer losses at about €2.20 billion and card payment losses at €1.33 billion in 2024, with users bearing a significant share of credit transfer fraud losses. It also notes that card fraud is markedly higher outside the EEA where SCA is not mandated…