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High-Level Conference on Customs Fraud in Helsinki 
18 February 2020
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
On 14-15 November 2019, the Finnish Customs and OLAF organised a high-level conference in Helsinki at which participants discussed current trends and appropriate responses to customs fraud. The event (entitled “Strategies to fight customs fraud in a globalised trading landscape”) brought together national customs officials … Read more
EU OLAF Protection of Financial Interests
Conference Highlights Need for Strong AFCOS in Candidate Countries 
11 January 2020
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
Governments must “give law enforcement and public administration the tools they need to detect and to prosecute fraudsters,” said OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä at the annual conference of Anti-Fraud Coordination Services (AFCOS) in reference to EU candidate and potential candidate countries. The conference was … Read more
EU OLAF Protection of Financial Interests
Spanish Supreme Court Backs OLAF’s Findings on Tuna Customs Fraud 
11 January 2020 (updated 6 years, 8 months ago)
Christine Götz Christine Götz
On 6 August 2019, OLAF reported that the Spanish Supreme Court confirmed the findings of OLAF investigations on evaded customs duties with regard to tuna imports from El Salvador. OLAF had investigated allegations of irregularities in tuna exports from El Salvador into the European Union, … Read more
EU OLAF
OLAF Report 2018 
11 January 2020 (updated 6 years, 8 months ago)
Christine Götz Christine Götz
On 3 September 2019, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) released its annual report for 2018. The key figures for 2018 are:OLAF concluded 167 investigations;OLAF issued 256 recommendations to the relevant national and EU authorities;As a result of the investigations concluded in … Read more
EU OLAF
Action against Illegal and Counterfeit Pesticides 
10 September 2019
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
The joint operation “Silver Axe IV” enabled authorities to seize 550 tons of illegal/counterfeit pesticides in 2019. The total amount of this seizure would cover a surface of up to 50,000 km² ‒ approximately equivalent to the territory of Estonia. The operation involved national police, … Read more
EU OLAF
Operation “Postbox II”: First Customs-Led Cyber Patrol in Europe 
10 September 2019
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
OLAF reported on a significant strike against online criminals trafficking drugs, counterfeit goods, and endangered animal and plant species. Led by OLAF and the Belgian customs service, the operation codenamed “Postbox II” involved customs services from 22 Member States and Europol. It was the first … Read more
EU OLAF
OLAF and German Prosecutor Trace Misuse of EU Research Money 
10 September 2019
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
With the support of OLAF, German authorities (spearheaded by the Mannheim’s prosecution service) seized huge amounts of documents and data which are to prove embezzlement and subsidy fraud allegedly committed by four persons between 51 and 56 years of age. They are alleged of having … Read more
EU OLAF
Eurojust & OLAF Increase Cooperation 
10 September 2019
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
At a high-level meeting between OLAF and Eurojust on 11 July 2019, both bodies agreed to reinforce cooperation in tackling crimes against the EU budget. Read more
EU OLAF Eurojust
General Court: No Unlawful Conduct by OLAF vis-à-vis Former European Commissioner 
10 September 2019 (updated 5 years, 6 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 2/2019
On 6 June 2019, the General Court dismissed the action brought by former Maltese European Commissioner John Dalli in which he claimed compensation for non-material damage caused to him by alleged unlawful conduct against him by OLAF and the Commission (case T-399/17). Read more
EU OLAF
Investment Fund Misuse in Romania 
17 June 2019
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
On 9 April 2019, OLAF reported on a successful operation led by the Romanian National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA). With OLAF’s support, investigators revealed a kickback scheme being used by an organised criminal group that involved corruption, influence peddling, and money laundering. Losses in EU investment … Read more
EU European Court of Human Rights OLAF
International Operation Against Fake Shampoo 
19 April 2019 (updated 7 years, 4 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
On 18 February 2019, OLAF reported on a successful international operation which culminated in the search and seizure of 400 tons of counterfeit shampoo with an estimated retail value of €5 million. The fake haircare products stem from China and were shipped to Latin America … Read more
EU OLAF Counterfeiting & Piracy
OAFCN Meeting at OLAF 
18 February 2019
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
In November 2018, OLAF hosted the annual meeting of the Anti-Fraud Communicators' Network (OAFCN). Communication experts working for anti-fraud public organisations discussed crisis communication, the importance of storytelling, and real-life communication scenarios. Read more
EU OLAF
ECA: Planned OLAF Reform Still Has Weaknesses 
18 February 2019
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) Opinion welcomes certain approaches and concepts in the Commission proposal of 23 May 2018 amending OLAF Regulation 883/2013, but still sees some weaknesses preventing the two objectives from being met. Read more
EU OLAF
Practice: Operation Silver Axe III 
20 October 2018
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
On 11 July 2018, OLAF reported on a major victory in EU law enforcement cooperation: dismantling the smuggling of illegal and counterfeit pesticides in the EU. Read more
EU OLAF
Practice: Successful Cooperation Between OLAF and U.A.E. 
20 October 2018
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
On 12 July 2018, OLAF reported that a joint inspection with Dubai customs led to the seizure of a total of 82 tons of counterfeit steel pipes in the port of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Read more
EU OLAF
OLAF’s New Director-General 
20 October 2018
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
On 20 June 2018, the Commission appointed Ville Itälä from Finland as new Director-General of OLAF. He took office on 1 August 2018. Mr. Itälä is the successor to Giovanni Kesslerfrom Italy who was appointed the head of the Italian Customs and Monopoly Agency. Read more
EU OLAF