This article presents the principal results of a comparative study carried out as part of the AFRADE project. Co-funded by the EU Anti-Fraud Programme, it examined fraud in shared-management funds of the common agricultural policy (CAP). The article addresses three main areas: a) the payment mechanisms for CAP funds; b) the most recurrent fraud schemes and criminal offenses; and c) the most effective tools for information exchange activities that could optimise the reporting and detection of CAP fraud among national and supranational bodies involved in both criminal and administrative investigations. The authors highlight two key issues arising from the study: the methodological and procedural approach to the subject matter and the use of administrative instead of criminal measures.

It goes without saying that the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) form the heart of the protection of the EU’s financial interests. However, the national authorities of the EU Member States are in the frontline when it comes to fighting fraud, bearing in mind that achievements in the field of the protection of the EU's financial interests also depend on the readiness and capacity of OLAF’s and EPPO’s partners in the Member States, (potential) candidate countries, and other non-EU countries, all of which cooperate to this end.
While the EPPO facilitates the achievement of its objectives in many ways through delegated prosecutors, OLAF, lacking a possibility to delegate its function, mainly relies on the anti-fraud coordination services (AFCOSes). These are established in each EU Member State to ensure effective cooperation and exchange of information with OLAF. In the absence of a stable legal framework … Read more

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) was created 25 years ago, in 1999, to fight fraud, corruption, and any other illegal activities affecting the EU budget. While there are several anti-fraud actors at EU level, OLAF is unique with regard to its international activities. In particular, OLAF is mandated to conduct investigative activities directly on territory outside the EU. Against this background, the article traces the evolution of the EU legal framework for OLAF’s international investigations and the parallel development of OLAF’s international relations in practice. The analysis of OLAF’s engagement with international partners focuses on several key activities of the Office to protect EU funds abroad, especially negotiating anti-fraud provisions in international instruments, concluding administrative cooperation arrangements with non-EU countries and international organisations, and building networks of partners around the globe. Looking back at the past quarter of a century, the article demonstrates that many features which are hallmarks of … Read more

In today’s fast-changing world, the issue of digitalisation – or “tech” – is rapidly moving up the agenda. This observation also very much applies to the anti-fraud domain. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in 2024, this article provides a retrospective of the progressive digitalisation of work at the Office. Arriving at today’s “digital first” paradigm has been a long journey since OLAF’s humble digital beginnings in 1999. The authors also review the parallel evolution of OLAF’s legal framework for data collection and data processing, and they offer some reflections on further digital challenges ahead.

In 2004, the European Community set up the Hercule programme to promote activities related to the protection of its financial interests. Since then, this unique initiative aimed at financing the fight against fraud has thrived and is now celebrating 20 years of success. It mainly funds the purchase of technical equipment and tools, training, staff exchanges, risk analysis workshops, conferences and comparative studies. These measures seek to support and equip EU Member States in legal, operational and technical/IT terms, enabling them to deliver on their shared obligations to protect the EU’s financial interests. In 2021, the Hercule programme became a component of the current Union Anti-Fraud Programme (UAFP).
This article retraces the history of the Hercule programme, outlines the main features of the Hercule component in the UAFP and gives examples of the success of the programme. The article concludes that, when reviewing the ever-increasing number and quality of applications for … Read more