LATEST: Suspicious reports surge ‘significantly’ due to scams and AI-driven fraud – Italy’s FIU – AML Intelligence

Financial Crime, Fraud
Banca D’Italia (Bank of Italy) sign is seen in downtown Rome, Italy, October 19, 2018. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
By CARLO BOFFA, EU Correspondent Italian banks and financial institutions reported significantly more suspicious transactions in 2025, driven by a rise in scams and online fraud, Italy’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) said on Tuesday. Criminals are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence to forge documents and impersonate politicians, central bankers and other public officials to solicit payments…
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UK Government
Today, Tuesday 16 June 2026, the UK Government has designated the following 11 individuals and 32 entities, and specified the following 27 ships, under the Russia Sanctions Regime. Designated Individuals:

 
European Public Prosecutor’s Office
(Luxembourg, 16 June 2026) – On behalf of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Ostrava (Czechia), national law enforcement authorities carried out searches on 10 and 11 June 2026, as part of an investigation into suspected fraud involving funds intended for employee training, financed by the EU under the National Recovery Plan. A total of 32 residential and non-residential searches were conducted by the Police of the Czech Republic (Policie České republiky), namely the Regional Directorate of the Police of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Economic Crime Department (Krajské ředitelství policie Moravskoslezského kraje, Odbor hospodářské kriminality).
Australia Federal Police
Two Mexican nationals are expected to appear before the NSW Bail Division Court today (16 June, 2026) charged for their alleged roles in the importation of $185 million worth of methamphetamine into Sydney. An investigation began earlier this month (June, 2026) after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a targeted consignment from Mexico. ABF detector dogs inspected the container and provided a positive indication to narcotics, and the matter was then referred to the AFP. AFP forensic investigators commenced a deconstruction of the container and identified a layer of methamphetamine infused within the internal paintwork of the container.
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