During 2023, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) was occupied by an increase in the number of reports and cyber-assisted frauds. For example, reports made by banks increased by 49% compared to 2022. The most significant sector in terms of the number of reports in 2023 has been the obliged entities providing money remittance. The methods of committing frauds have become more diverse and are often cross-border.
The FIU made 132 requests for freezing of assets abroad, in 23 different countries, mainly to freeze assets obtained from fraud offences. In 2023, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continued to affect the operating environment. In cooperation with the authorities, the FIU aims to uncover the circumvent of EU sanctions and has set up a team specialising in regulation offences. Of the reports received during the year, 111 concerned suspicions of terrorist financing. The number doubled compared to the previous year.