Press releases
Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans to attend the Munich Security Conference
Federal Councillors Martin Pfister, Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans will attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC 26) from 13 to 15 February. In a rapidly changing security environment, this conference offers an opportunity for high-level discussions on how to strengthen Europe's security. It also provides a platform for promoting values such as peace and the rule of law.
Second round table on underground banking: Focus on global networks
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) at the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) hosted the second international round table on underground banking in Bern on 20/21 November. Experts from around the world discussed new developments, positive investigation results and strategies for combating illicit financial flows.
3rd MROS Crypto Symposium: Focus on international cooperation
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) at the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) held the 3rd Crypto Symposium on 3 November in Zug. Experts from Switzerland and abroad discussed the latest developments and challenges associated with virtual assets in the context of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing efforts.
Cybercrime: the AKIRA group steps up its activities
Joint press release from the OAG, fedpol, and the NCSC - In recent months, the hacker group AKIRA has stepped up its activities in Switzerland. Around two hundred companies have been victims of ransomware attacks, with damages currently amounting to several millions of Swiss francs, and to several hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide. Since April 2024, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has been conducting criminal proceedings. The investigation is being coordinated by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol), in close cooperation with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the authorities in several other countries that are affected. The Swiss authorities stress the importance of contacting them before taking any action and of the need to file a criminal complaint.
Seventh Action Weeks Against Human Trafficking event
Action Weeks Against Human Trafficking will take place throughout Switzerland from 22 September to 25 October under the theme ‘Invisible Human Trafficking’. Around 40 events in 11 cantons will shine a spotlight on this hidden truth. Human trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation is also a reality in Switzerland. This year's Action Weeks are being coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and are supported by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol).
Shielding critical infrastructure against cyberattacks: three suspected criminals identified
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) initiated criminal proceedings against persons unknown in response to a spate of DDoS attacks targeting a number of federal websites in June 2023, for which the pro-Russian collective "NoName057(16)" claimed responsibility. In the spring of 2025, several members of this collective could be identified following an extensive international investigation to which the OAG and fedpol contributed significantly. The OAG has broadened the criminal proceedings to include three ringleaders of this collective and issued warrants for their arrests. The operators of the more than 200 Swiss websites targeted where feasible received prior warning and support in warding off the attacks from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The whole process can be considered a success story, highlighting the value of international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
DDPS and other federal departments to provide security support for Eurovision Song Contest in Basel
From 11 to 17 May, Basel will host the Eurovision Song Contest, a major event that will see extensive support from various agencies of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, the Federal Office of Police, and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. These agencies will work alongside the organisers and cantonal authorities to ensure the security of the event, with the Confederation making a crucial contribution to public safety.
Report on the risks of proliferation financing
The interdepartmental Coordinating Group on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (CGMF) has published a report on the latest findings concerning the risk of proliferation financing, including measures to combat it.
The Money Trail: Guidelines for Financial Intermediaries Against Human Trafficking
Traffickers make more than $236 billion in profits annually, making human trafficking one of the most profitable branches of organized crime. The fedpol Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have now published a guide to help financial intermediaries identify transactions related to human trafficking.
Eva Wildi-Cortés appointed new fedpol director
At its meeting on 20 November, the Federal Council appointed Eva Wildi-Cortés as the new director of the Federal Office of Police (fedpol). Eva Wildi-Cortés is currently deputy director and head of the Resources Management and Strategy directorate. She succeeds Nicoletta della Valle, whose employment contract ends on 31 January 2025.
Swiss FIPPP: MROS and the private sector join forces in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing
The Swiss Financial Intelligence Public Private Partnership (Swiss FIPPP) commenced work at a plenary session on 7 November. The focus of the partnership between fedpol's Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) and 12 private-sector Swiss financial institutions is on exchanging information in order to identify risks and threats in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing.
Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock: Confederation to contribute to security costs
The Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place on 15 and 16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden. A major security operation is in place to ensure the safety of the event and those attending. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council decided to consider the summit an 'extraordinary event'. This means that the Confederation will contribute to the security costs borne by the canton of Nidwalden.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on strengthening anti-money laundering framework
At its meeting on 22 May 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the further development of the anti-money laundering framework to be submitted to Parliament. The aim is to reinforce the integrity and competitiveness of Switzerland as a financial and business location by means of a federal register of beneficial owners and due diligence for particularly risky activities in legal professions, as well as other provisions. The measures are in line with international standards.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on Passenger Name Records Act
At its meeting on 15 May, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the Passenger Name Records Act and submitted it to Parliament. The legislation will enable Switzerland to develop a national passenger name records (PNR) system, which will contribute to the fight against terrorism and serious crime. The system will also strengthen Switzerland as a business centre. At the same meeting, the Federal Council also approved a draft negotiating mandate on the exchange of passenger name record data with countries outside the European Union. Negotiations on an agreement with the EU are already underway.
Cryptocurrencies: money laundering and terrorist financing risks have increased
Over the past decade, cryptocurrencies – or virtual assets – have emerged as a mass phenomenon with major implications for the financial system. Increasingly, cryptocurrencies are also being misused for illicit purposes. The interdepartmental coordinating group on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (CGMF) has recently published a report presenting the latest findings as well as possible countermeasures.
Federal Council opens consultation on draft legislation to ban Hamas
Switzerland is to ban Hamas. The Federal Council decided at its meeting on 21 February to open the consultation on the necessary legal basis. The ban will also include Hamas cover and successor organisations as well as organisations that act on its behalf or in its name.
Combating human trafficking: round table to strengthen collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders
Tracking financial flows is one of the tools in the fight against human trafficking. This is why the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) at fedpol, in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has set up the Financial Intelligence against Human Trafficking (FIAHT) project. The project kicked off with a round-table discussion on 24 January. The aim is to raise awareness among financial intermediaries and strengthen collaboration between MROS, the financial sector and the relevant prosecuting authorities.
Switzerland supports the International Criminal Court with forensic experts
The conflict resulting from Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine continues. War crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights are suspected. The International Criminal Court (ICC), tasked to investigate the situation, relies on the assistance of the States Parties to the Rome Statute to gather evidence in Ukraine. Switzerland responded to the ICC's request for assistance and the dispatch of specialists.
Focus on cooperation
Crime is becoming increasingly global and digital: ATM thieves, cyber criminals, drug, human and arms traffickers do not stop at cantonal or national borders. That is why information exchange and cooperation between national and international law enforcement services are indispensable for fighting crime and increasing se-curity. To enhance cooperation, fedpol is bringing police authorities together for INTERPOL’s 100th anniversary.
Xplain hack: Federal Council commissions a policy strategy crisis team on data leaks
During its meeting on 28 June 2023, the Federal Council commissioned a policy strategy crisis team on data leaks. The aim of the cross-departmental crisis team is to coordinate the ongoing efforts to deal with the ransomware attack on Xplain, which has also affected Federal Administration data, and to propose related measures. In addition, the Federal Council ordered that a mandate be drawn up for an administrative investigation. Moreover, it decided to review existing contracts with federal IT service providers and to amend them where necessary in order to improve service providers' cybersecurity and allow the federal government to react swiftly in the event of a successful attack. Finally, it ordered an examination of measures to ensure that the essential services currently provided by Xplain for the police and the security and migration authorities can be guaranteed in any case.