11/12/2018 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached agreement on Tuesday 11 December on the proposal for a directive on combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment (see EUROPE 11865). Negotiations had started in September 2018, after Parliament had adopted its position (see EUROPE 12088). The co-legislators agreed in particular to: - extend the scope of offences to include, in addition, transactions carried out using virtual currencies; - harmonise the definitions of certain online criminal offences such as computer piracy; - introduce minimum levels for penalties; - better advise citizens on how to protect themselves against fraud and ensure that victims are sufficiently informed of their rights. The agreement has yet to be validated within both institutions. (MF)