Italian and Swiss financial intelligence units report 11.5% rise in suspicious transactions in 2025

The Unită di Informazioni Finanziarie (UIF) of the Bank of Italy recorded 162,059 suspicious financial operations in 2025, an increase of 11.5% over the previous year. The rise is attributed mainly to new reporters such as telematic banks and is linked to a higher share of fraud and cyber‑crime cases. The proportion of low‑risk or nil‑risk reports fell, while the timeliness of filings improved.

The UIF highlighted recurring schemes that exploit public‑guaranteed mortgage programmes, with inflated purchase prices and collusion among real‑estate and credit actors. It also warned that the expansion of crypto‑assets, virtual IBANs, virtual cards and non‑bank ATMs makes money‑laundering pathways harder to trace. Digital communication tools have contributed to a surge in reports of scams and fraud.

The unit called on banks, financial service providers and notaries to increase vigilance, especially regarding connections between beneficiaries, political figures and public officials, and to monitor frequent transfers through foreign accounts. The report also noted intensified cooperation with other FIUs following sanctions on Russia, Belarus and Iran.