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Dear Readers of this jubilee issue on OLAF, In 2024, the European Anti-Fraud Office – OLAF – was celebrating its 25th anniversary. This occasion fills me with joy, pride, and gratitude, as the Office has proven to be a great success in the fight against fraud affecting the financial interests of the EU over the last quarter of the century. OLAF took over operations from the first European anti-fraud entity – UCLAF – in 1999 (UCLAF had been created in 1987 as part of the Secretariat-General of the European Commission). Since then, we have come a long way. While still…

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, …

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 …

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 …

The article examines the evolution of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) over the past 25 years from its establishment in 1999 to its current role as a pivotal player in the fight against fraud affecting the EU’s financial interests. It starts by tracing OLAF's origins …

The protection of fundamental rights and procedural guarantees in administrative investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has constantly evolved since its creation in 1999.

First, the catalogue of procedural rights and guarantees embedded in the successive regulations governing the conduct of OLAF’s …

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used by justice professionals to improve the speed and the efficiency of legal proceedings and to alleviate administrative burdens. Digital and AI tools may be a game changer in enhancing the quality of justice and allowing justice professionals …

Current technology enables drug traffickers and other criminals to live like digital nomads and direct global operations from any location in the world. That said, this surge of technology also provides law enforcement with new tools. Large datasets allow us to change the way we …

Over the coming years, new tools based on large language models (LLMs) and other artificial intelligence-based software are set to play an increasing role in many modern administrations, including in the anti-fraud domain. One might even argue that the prevention, detection, and investigation of fraud …

Dear Readers, Digitalisation is not just the future but already an undeniable reality in today’s society! Our task now is to strive for its best and most efficient use. For actors involved in international cooperation, in particular, digitalisation involves a number of sweeping technical and legal changes as well as changes to our mind-set. In the words of American writer Stewart Brand, “Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road.” Several commendable digitalisation reforms have been set in motion, including in the field of criminal law. The widely welcomed…