Top 10 Most Expensive Fines In The World

Introduction

Most Expensive Fines: Sometimes, businesses and people break the law and have to pay huge fines. These fines can reach billions of dollars, usually for fraud, harming the environment, or financial wrongdoing. Banks, tech companies, and oil firms have received some of the largest penalties in history. For example, BP paid a huge fine after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and banks have been fined for misleading customers.

Governments issue these fines to hold companies accountable and prevent future mistakes. While these penalties may seem enormous, big corporations often recover quickly. These cases remind us why regulations are important to protect people, the economy, and the environment. Learning about these fines helps us understand the impact of corporate wrongdoing and its legal consequences.

Historical Analysis of Expensive Fines

• Siemens AG Bribery Scandal (2008): The company paid approximately USD 1.6 billion in fines to U.S. and German authorities, marking one of the largest penalties for corporate misconduct at that time.
• LIBOR Rate Manipulation (2012): UBS bank faced fines totaling approximately USD 1.5 billion, while Deutsche Bank agreed to pay USD 2.5 billion in penalties.
• Massey Energy Environmental Violations (2008): Massey Energy agreed to a USD 20 million settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for thousands of Clean Water Act violations.
• Alstom Bribery Case (2014): The company agreed to pay USD 772 million in fines, one of the largest penalties for foreign bribery.
• Goldman Sachs 1MDB Scandal (2020): Goldman Sachs faced a USD 2.9 billion penalty for its role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
• Airbus Corruption Settlements (2020): Airbus agreed to pay EUR 3.6 billion in fines to authorities in France, the UK, and the U.S. to settle allegations of bribery and corruption across its international business operations.
• BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010): BP faced penalties exceeding USD 20 billion following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.
• Facebook Data Privacy Violations (2019): Facebook agreed to a USD 5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over data privacy violations related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
• Wells Fargo Account Fraud Scandal (2016): Wells Fargo was fined USD 3 billion for creating millions of unauthorized bank and credit card accounts without customers’ consent.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Fines so Expensive

• More serious crimes or violations often result in higher fines.
• Individuals or organizations with prior violations may face increased penalties.
• If the offense led to significant financial benefits, fines might be higher to offset these gains.
• Larger organizations might receive steeper fines due to their greater resources and responsibility.
  Not adhering to legal standards, such as data protection laws, can lead to substantial fines.
• Organizations without effective compliance programs may be penalized more heavily.
  Interfering with investigations or legal processes can result in increased fines.
  Violations causing significant harm to the public or environment often attract higher penalties.
• Inadequate data protection measures can lead to hefty fines, especially under regulations like GDPR.
• Engaging in anti-competitive practices, such as price fixing, can result in substantial fines.

Recent Trends of Fines

• In the fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) secured financial remedies totaling USD 8.2 billion, marking the highest amount in the agency’s history. This encompasses USD 6.1 billion in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and USD 2.1 billion in civil penalties.
• As of January 2025, the cumulative total of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) fines has reached approximately €5.88 billion. Notably, in May 2023, Meta (formerly Facebook) was fined €1.2 billion for data protection violations.
• Since 2020, governments have issued at least 2,700 data privacy fines, amounting to around USD 7.3 billion (€6.6 billion).
• In England and Wales, on-the-spot penalties for minor offenses, often termed “busybody” fines, surged by 42% in 2023.
• In South Australia, a driver was fined over USD 27,000 and had their license disqualified for using a mobile phone while driving more than 40 times.
• In the UK, less than half of the fines imposed on companies for late filing of accounts were paid last year. Specifically, £73.5 million of the £158 million in fines for 2023/24 was collected.
• Scottish city councils have collected over £12 million from motorists breaching Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in just six months. Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen introduced LEZs in June last year, issuing 58,000 fines worth more than £6.3 million.
• In October 2024, Marriott agreed to a USD 52 million settlement with 50 U.S. states regarding a large multi-year data breach that affected 131.5 million American customers. Similarly, 23andMe agreed to a USD 30 million settlement in September 2024 following a data breach that affected over six million individuals.

Top 10 Most Expensive Fines In The World

(Source: visualcapitalist.com)

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#1. TD Bank Fined $3B for Money Laundering Failures

(Source: marketwatch.com)

• The bank’s inadequate AML controls allowed criminals to exploit its services for illicit activities.
• Over six years, TD Bank failed to monitor 92% of its transaction volume.
• Allowed USD 670 million to be transferred by criminal networks.
• Leadership Changes: CEO Bharat Masrani acknowledged these failures and apologized.
• TD Bank’s U.S. operations are restricted from opening new branches or expanding without permission.
• Prohibited from growing assets beyond USD 434 billion as of September’s end.
  Subject to a four-year independent monitorship to oversee AML reforms.
• Over two dozen individuals, including bank employees, have been prosecuted.
• Committed to improving its compliance program by appointing new leadership and increasing the number of specialists.

#2. Cummins Inc. Diesel Emissions Penalty

(Source: reuters.com)

• The U.S. Justice Department fined Cummins USD 1.675 billion for Clean Air Act violations.
• Beyond the fine, Cummins agreed to pay USD 325 million for remedies and recalls.
• The violations involved 960,000 Dodge and Stellantis RAM pickup truck diesel engines produced between 2013 and 2023.
• Cummins was found to have installed devices designed to bypass or turn off emissions controls in these vehicles.
• These actions led to increased nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
• As part of the settlement, Cummins agreed to recall 600,000 affected RAM trucks to address the emissions issues.
• This is not Cummins’ first violation; in 1998, the company was fined USD 83.4 million for similar emissions-related issues.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighted this case as part of its revitalised enforcement efforts. It noted that penalties for polluters more than doubled compared to the previous year, totaling USD 1.7 billion, the highest in seven years.

#3. EU Fines Apple €1.8B for App Store Antitrust Violations

(Source: voronoiapp.com)

• Fine Amount accounted for €1.8 billion (approximately USD 1.9 billion).
• Apple restricted music streaming services from informing users about subscription options outside the App Store.
• The investigation began after a complaint by Spotify alleging unfair competition.
• Apple’s practices limited consumer choice and imposed unfair conditions on music streaming providers.
• The company announced plans to appeal the decision.
• This was the first antitrust fine imposed on Apple by the European Union.
• The case highlighted the ongoing regulatory scrutiny of major tech companies’ market behaviors.

#4. Gunvor Group to Pay $661M for FCPA Violations

(Source: constantinecannon.com)

• Between 2012 and 2020, Gunvor paid over USD 97 million to intermediaries, knowing portions would bribe Ecuadorian officials to secure contracts with Petroecuador, the state-owned oil company.
• This scheme resulted in approximately USD 384 million in illicit gains for Gunvor.
• The settlement includes a USD 374.5 million criminal penalty and USD 287 million in forfeiture.
• Gunvor also agreed to pay about USD 98 million to Swiss authorities for related misconduct.
• The U.S. settlement allows credits of up to USD 93 million each for amounts paid to Swiss and Ecuadorian authorities within a year.
• Following the investigation, Gunvor terminated relationships with implicated agents and employees.
• The presiding judge expressed optimism about Gunvor’s future lawful market participation.
• In 2019, Swiss authorities ordered Gunvor to pay approximately USD 96.7 million for failing to prevent bribery in Côte d’Ivoire and the Republic of Congo.

#5. Quala Services Penalized for Fatal Incident

(Source: ohsonline.com)

• An employee died while cleaning a tanker trailer, likely due to exposure to hazardous gases.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated and found multiple safety violations.
• OSHA identified eight repeat violations, similar to those cited after two worker fatalities in 2019.
• Failures included not testing tank atmospheres before entry and lacking confined-space attendants.
• OSHA proposed fines totaling USD 810,703 for these violations.
• Based in La Porte, Texas, Qualawash Holdings LLC cleans tanker trailers used for hazardous waste and employs over 1,400 people.
• In November 2019, two workers died from toxic fume exposure while cleaning a tanker truck at the same company.
• OSHA emphasised the need for the company to implement effective safety and health programs to prevent further tragedies.
• Qualawash Holdings LLC had 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings.

#6. Adrian Construction Group LLC – Residential Carpentry & Framing Contractor

(Source: ohsonline.com)

• OSHA conducted a planned inspection under a local emphasis program focusing on fall hazards in construction.
• 6 willful violations for not providing fall protection and failing to ensure the use of eye protection.
• 4 serious violations for unsafe scaffolding and not providing hard hats to protect against overhead hazards.
• The company was fined USD 1,017,248 for these violations.
• Since 2016, OSHA has inspected Adrian Construction five times, each time resulting in a citation for failing to provide fall protection.
• Due to repeated violations, OSHA placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
• Adrian Construction Group LLC employs approximately 20 workers.
• The company had 15 business days from the receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings.
• In 2022, 1,069 construction workers died on the job, with 395 fatalities related to falls from elevations.

#7. Italy Fines Enel Energia €79.1M

(Source: globalrelay.com)

• Enel Energia obtained personal data for 978 contracts from four companies outside its authorized sales network.
• The company used personal data in connection with at least 9,300 contracts to promote its energy and gas services unlawfully.
• Investigations revealed serious security deficiencies in Enel Energia’s customer management and service activation systems.
• The company failed to implement adequate measures to prevent unauthorized agents from accessing and processing personal data within its contractual system.
• Enel Energia breached several GDPR provisions, including Articles 5(1)(f), 5(2), 24(1), 25, 28, and 32, related to data processing integrity, accountability, and security measures.
• The €79.1 million (approx. USD 86 million) fine is the largest ever imposed by the Garante.
• Enel Energia stated it had always acted correctly, taken suitable measures to ensure system security, and planned to appeal the decision.

#8. Marriott Settles Data Breach for $52M

(Source: forbes.com)

• The breach affected approximately 131.5 million guest records in the United States.
• Intruders had undetected access to the Starwood network from July 2014 until September 2018.
• The information exposed included contact details, dates of birth, reservation information, passport numbers, and payment card data.
• The USD 52 million settlement was divided among 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
• New York received USD 2.29 million from the settlement.
• Wisconsin received USD 833,045 from the settlement.
• Iowa received USD 594,105 from the settlement.

#9. 23andMe Settles $30M Data Breach Case

(Source: reuters.com)

• The breach occurred between April and October 2023 and affected nearly half of 23andMe’s 14.1 million users at that time.
• Hackers employed “credential stuffing,” using leaked usernames and passwords from other platforms to access 23andMe accounts.
• Exposed information included names, birth years, and ancestry details.
• Data from individuals of Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish descent was specifically targeted and sold on the dark web.
• The USD 30 million settlement will provide cash payments to affected customers and fund three years of security monitoring services.
• Approximately USD 25 million of the settlement is expected to be covered by 23andMe’s cyber insurance.
• The company reported a net loss of USD 69.4 million on revenue of USD 40.4 million for the quarter ending June 30, 2024.
• All seven independent board members resigned amid CEO Anne Wojcicki’s plans to take the company private.

#10. T-Mobile Settles $31.5M with FCC Over 2021-2023 Data Breaches

(Source: reuters.com)

• T-Mobile will pay USD 15.75 million to the U.S. Treasury.
• An additional USD 15.75 million will be invested over two years to enhance cybersecurity measures.
• The 2021 breach impacted approximately 76.6 million consumers.
• Exposed information included Social Security numbers, addresses, and driver’s license details.
• T-Mobile will adopt a zero-trust architecture and implement robust multi-factor authentication.
• The Chief Information Security Officer will provide regular cybersecurity reports to the board.
• The FCC said telecom companies need better cybersecurity to keep customer data safe.
• This settlement shows other telecom firms the need for stronger security.
• Affected customers get up to USD 25,000, with payments starting in April 2025.

Conclusion

High fines can be a big problem, especially for low-income people. If they can’t pay, they may get more penalties, making things worse. Some say fines should depend on income so everyone pays a fair share. Others think strict fines stop people from breaking the rules.

It’s important to find a balance so fines act as punishment but don’t cause extreme financial trouble. A fair system should ensure justice while still encouraging people to follow the law.

Barry Elad

Barry Elad is a tech enthusiast passionate about exploring various technology topics. He collects key statistics and facts to make tech easier to understand. Barry focuses on software and its benefits for everyday life. In his free time, he enjoys creating healthy recipes, practicing yoga, meditating, and walking in nature with his child. Barry's mission is to simplify complex tech information for everyone.

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