Public institutions bore the brunt of almost three-quarters of the total damage. According to KPMG, the “high attractiveness” of the public sector for economic crime is due to the level of funds administered, as well as the often complex structure of public institutions, which can lead to weaker internal control systems.
As for the increase, one reason given was that “white-collar criminals have found new ways and means of fraudulent activity in the wake of the corona pandemic”.
Last year, seven cases were heard in connection with Covid-19 loans issued during the pandemic by public authorities.
The report, which is released annually, analysed public and media-published court cases in connection with white-collar crime cases involving at least CHF50,000.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
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The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
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The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
OECD: Sluggish economic activity slowing growth in Switzerland
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Sluggish economic activity at the start of the year is weighing on growth in Switzerland, with GDP expected to fall to 1.1% in 2024.
Report finds mistakes which led to Swiss government data breach
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Mistakes were made by both the government and internet company Xplain in the case of a criminal cyber-attack on the Bern-based IT business.
Swiss government wants better gender balance in federal administration
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New Swiss government personnel management targets say there must be even more female managers in the federal administration.
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
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In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
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Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
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Swiss courts in dealt with 68 major cases of white-collar crime last year causing losses of CHF567 million ($571 million).
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