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Source: Europol
Initial vishing led to pressure tactics at victims’ doorstepsUsing a proven modus operandi and dividing the work between specialised members, the criminal network systematically targeted elderly Spanish citizens. Posing as a bank employee, a criminal would contact the victim and convince them there was a problem with his or her bank account. Referred to as ‘vishing’, a combination of ‘voice’…
Source: Europol
Between 24 and 28 June 2024, Europol hosted an operational sprint targeting buyers of live distant child abuse material. The sprint brought together representatives from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. During the sprint, 32 investigators processed and developed leads generated from investigations of United States Homeland Security Investigations (US…
Source: Europol
Of the many key milestones along the road, 2010 marks a particularly important date as Europol officially became a full EU Agency within the EU’s competence. Following the terrorist attack in Paris in November 2015, Europol’s Director Rob Wainwright (United Kingdom) set up the counterterrorism Task Force Fraternité. This Task Force led to the launch of the European Counter Terrorism…
Source: Eurojust
The second Eurojust Meeting on Money Laundering and Asset Recovery brought together dedicated prosecutors specialised in asset recovery and tackling money laundering from the European Union and countries with liaison prosecutors at Eurojust. Other participants included the European Commission (DG FISMA, DG HOME, DG JUST, and DG ECFIN), Europol, EPPO, EJN, CARIN network, INTERPOL, the Council of Europe (MONEYVAL), as well as representatives from Asset Recovery Offices and Asset Management Offices.
Eurojust Vice-President Margarita Sniutyte-Daugeliene stated in her opening remarks: In 2023 alone, Eurojust’s assistance in the fight against organised crime led to seizing or freezing of EUR 1.1 billion. Money laundering remains in the top three of crime types Eurojust deals with every year. Fighting money laundering and recovering assets will therefore remain a top priority, and in months to come Eurojust will offer further means for closer cooperation between the judiciary, law enforcement and other actors involved across the European Union.
The meeting was an opportunity for participants to share experiences in relation to matters such as money laundering as a service, the misuse of Hawala (a type of informal money or value transfer service often used by criminals to launder money) and underground banking, and misuse of cryptocurrencies as money laundering schemes, issues related to predicate office. Participants also shared experiences in relation to asset recovery matters such as restitution and compensation of victims, asset sharing and disposal, exceptional costs and non-conviction based confiscation. Eurojust’s support on these cases was highlighted throughout the presentations. Participants highlighted the importance of increasing cooperation in this field.
Participants confirmed their strong support to the set up of a dedicated Judicial Focus Group on Money Laundering and Asset Recovery, organised by Eurojust, and discussed possible mandate and tasks of the Judicial Focus Group. The Judicial Focus Group would be composed of prosecutors or judges who would represent a multidisciplinary hub of experts at national level involved in the investigation and prosecution of money laundering and asset recovery, such as asset recovery offices, asset management offices, law enforcement, financial intelligence units, financial accountants, crypto experts. The Focus Group would give judicial authorities guidance on specific matters such as post-conviction financial investigations, exceptional costs concerning the execution of freezing and confiscation orders, and guidance on restitution to or compensation of victims. Eurojust is uniquely placed to bridge the gap between the national hubs by creating this international platform represented by the judiciary.
Money laundering and asset recovery are a high priority on the EU agenda. Since the last expert meeting in June 2023, a number of legislative proposals have been adopted, including the Directive on Asset Recovery and Confiscation, the Directive on the Violation of Union of restrictive measures and on the Anti-Money laundering package.
Source: Europol
The large-scale law enforcement operation led to the arrest of 42 suspects – including the kingpin of the gang, who was in Spain under a false identity. In addition, 28 searches were conducted at several locations in Granada, Málaga and Sevilla, in both residences and drug production facilities. Six indoor marijuana plantations were also dismantled.Overall, the action resulted in:42 arrests28…
Source: Europol
Building on the operation’s successful previous iterations, the proven multidisciplinary approach involved Europol, Frontex and INTERPOL along with police forces and border guards from several continents. This year, one aim was to identify and disrupt the most-threatening criminal networks active in the EU, such as mafia-type, ethnicity- and family-based organisations and other structured networks engaged in trafficking of human beings….
Source: Europol
The action day on 24 May 2024 in Almería led to:5 arrests including the suspected leader (1 Spanish, 2 Russian and 2 Ukrainian nationals)14 victims identified5 locations searchedSeizures including two luxury vehicles, in cash, electronic equipment, employment contracts for jobs in the service sector, and other various documents linked to the club where the victims were exploitedThe criminal group, active…
Source: Europol
The investigation, initiated in April 2023, focused on a criminal network organising multi-tonne shipments to Europe of cocaine sourced in Ecuador and shipped from Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Guyana and Paraguay. Investigative leads link the group to possible additional shipments from West Africa. The criminal network operated from Germany, allegedly organising the logistics of their criminal activity through the involvement of…
Source: Europol
The servers supported multiple media outlets linked to Islamic State. They were used to disseminate worldwide propaganda and messages capable of inciting terrorism in at least thirty languages. Eurojust and Europol coordinated and supported the joint operations.This week’s joint operations are part of ongoing efforts and constant vigilance to tackle online terrorist propaganda and communications, including through social media. They…
Source: Europol
Ten countries joined forces with Europol to disrupt the online propaganda activities of religious and politically motivated terrorist organisations across the ideological spectrum.This joint effort, known as Operation HOPPER II, targeted key assets in the online dissemination of terrorist propaganda, including those of the so-called Islamic State, al-Qaeda and its affiliates, and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. The operation specifically targeted terrorist-operated…