Operation EMMA: global effort against bank fraud

The assault on financial crime has seen the international collaboration of law enforcement agencies and institutions in a vast operation called EMMA, now in its ninth edition in 2023. This anti-money laundering initiative, aided by the joint efforts of 26 nations with the support of Europol, Eurojust and Interpol, led to the interception of over 10 thousand suspicious transactions and the arrest of more than a thousand people worldwide, preventing fraud with an estimated value of almost 32 million euros.

Europe and Italy at the forefront in the fight against fraud

Within Italy's borders, the Postal Police played a key role by reporting 2,279 suspicious movements and identifying 879 "money mules" - intermediaries who often unwittingly facilitate the transfer of illicit funds. With the contribution of CERTFin, the ABI and financial institutions, the frauds avoided exceed six million euros, highlighting national resilience against the growing threat of cybercrime on the economic fabric of the country.

The interaction between the private sector and authorities in the pursuit of crime

The critical operation of the search for the culprits makes use of the union between financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, who work in synergy in the shadows to monitor and report suspicious activities. The expert Pierluigi Paganini underlines the fundamental role of banks in identifying illicit transactions, emphasizing the complex network of collaboration and information exchange between public and private institutions.

The risk of money mules and the need for awareness

The danger of becoming involuntary accomplices of money laundering networks is high, especially for those who are unaware of the strategies implemented by cybercriminals. Paganini highlights the urgent need to educate, especially the younger generations, about the threats of cybercrime, to prevent unwitting recruitment and reduce the incidence of "money mules" in illegal operations.