The Long Arm of UK and EU Law: How Corporate Crime Reforms Are Closing in on Rogue Tourism & Hotel Operators

Introduction: No Safe Haven for Fraudulent Operators

For years, rogue players in the hotel, travel, and tourism industry have exploited legal loopholes, leveraged political protection, and hidden behind regional autonomy—particularly in Spain’s Canary Islands and other autonomous regions. However, with sweeping corporate crime reforms in the UK and the EU, these wrongdoers can no longer count on their local influence to shield them.

The UK’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, its failure to prevent fraud provisions, and the upcoming Office of the Whistleblower Bill (HL) have expanded the reach of UK regulatory and enforcement agencies—including the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). At the same time, EU agencies like the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) are intensifying cross-border investigations into fraud, corruption, and misuse of public funds.

The UK’s Corporate Crime Crackdown: Why Spanish Hotel & Travel Operators Should Worry

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduces strict corporate liability provisions that affect companies inside and outside the UK. The failure to prevent fraud offense now holds companies criminally liable if fraud occurs within their operations and they did not take reasonable steps to prevent it—even if they are based abroad.

When Can UK Law Be Used Against Spanish Hotel & Tourism Firms?

• If they contract with UK-based travel agencies, bedbanks, or investors.
• If they process UK customer payments through UK banks or financial institutions.
• If they fail to prevent fraudulent activities in their dealings with UK-based businesses or consumers.
• If they engage in misleading advertising or misrepresent hotel ownership to UK travelers.
• If they benefit from fraud that impacts UK consumers, businesses, or financial markets.

The Office of the Whistleblower Bill (HL): A Game-Changer in Corporate Accountability

The UK is also set to pass the Office of the Whistleblower Bill, which will:

• Require authorities to investigate whistleblower disclosures.
• Provide stronger protections for whistleblowers facing retaliation.
• Impose penalties on companies that ignore or obstruct whistleblower reports.
• Allow whistleblowers to directly report cross-border fraud to UK agencies.

The EU Is Also Closing In: EPPO & OLAF Are Investigating

In addition to UK regulators, EU agencies are increasing scrutiny on fraud and corruption involving European funds.

EPPO (European Public Prosecutor’s Office) Investigates Misuse of EU Public Funds

• Spanish companies that have misused RIC (Canary Islands Investment Reserve) tax relief funds for fraudulent hotel acquisitions are being investigated.
• EPPO’s cross-border mandate allows it to trace financial flows across different EU jurisdictions.

No More Hiding: The UK & EU Are Taking Action

🚨 For rogue tourism & hotel operators who believe their political connections in Spain can shield them, the message is clear: The UK and EU are coming for you. 🚨

With the UK’s failure to prevent fraud offense, its whistleblower protection reforms, and the investigative powers of the SFO, FCA, and HMRC, Spanish businesses that engage in fraudulent practices are now within legal reach.

At the same time, the EU’s EPPO and OLAF are pursuing criminal investigations into RIC tax fraud, public funds misuse, and fraudulent hotel commercialization.

❌ Local Spanish courts may be compromised or politically influenced, but UK and EU authorities are not.

❌ Financial crimes that impact UK consumers or involve UK businesses will be prosecuted in the UK.

❌ Companies that try to cover up their wrongdoing or retaliate against whistleblowers will face severe penalties.

The legal landscape is changing. The UK and EU are watching. And accountability is coming.

Disclaimer:

I, Gil Marer, am acting as an external whistleblower, in good faith, exposing serious economic crimes, collusion, and attempts to cover up fraud in the tourism, hospitality, and financial sectors. I am facing retaliation and efforts to silence my disclosures, but I remain committed to transparency and accountability. If you wish to reach out, you can contact me via my LinkedIn profile. I am open to corrections, additional information, or clarifications where needed.

If you are a whistleblower, regulator, journalist, or investigator following these developments, we invite you to collaborate and share information.