Belgian prosecutors have launched an investigation into potential money laundering activities at Worldline’s local unit following recent allegations about the payments processor.
Shares of the French giant Worldline dropped sharply on Wednesday after a “Dirty Payments” investigation by the European journalism network EIC and 21 media outlets claimed the company had concealed client fraud to protect its revenue. The Brussels Public Prosecutor has now opened an inquiry, assigned to the Federal Judicial Police, amid allegations that Worldline processed payments for firms involved in illegal activities.
In a statement to Reuters, Worldline expressed its commitment to cooperating with the authorities. The company has firmly rebutted the allegations, noting that it has conducted a “thorough review” of its high-brand-risk portfolio, including online casinos, stockbroking, and adult dating services, since 2023. Worldline emphasized its “zero-tolerance” stance on non-compliance and its ongoing engagement with regulatory bodies.
In a recent call with analysts reported by Bloomberg, CEO Pierre-Antoine Vacheron described the media’s claims as an “attack,” asserting that there was “nothing new” in the reports beyond an “unacceptable narrative.”