Executive summary
OLAF: detect, investigate, protect
Established in 1999, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is an investigative Office working on behalf of EU citizens to protect the EU’s financial interests from fraud and irregularities. By conducting internal administrative investigations into allegations of serious misconduct involving staff and members of the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, OLAF also safeguards the reputation of the European institutions.
2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of OLAF. During that time, we have carried out thousands of investigations and identified billions of euros of fraud against the EU budget. By fighting fraud and irregularities, protecting the EU financial interests and institutional reputation for a quarter of a century, we have amassed a wealth of experience that has made us a leading player in the EU anti-fraud architecture and the global fight against fraud.
Throughout the report we point to areas where such a future-proofing exercise of the cooperation of current and future anti-fraud actors could contribute to the protection of the Union’'s financial interest, in particular with a view to future multi-annual financial frameworks.
The report highlights some of our actions in the fight against fraud in 2024. These actions in always aim to ensure that EU funds are spent where they are intended – contributing to the EU’s competitiveness, growth, environment, as well as the health and safety of its citizens.
In 2024, OLAF investigated conflicts of interest, procurement irregularities, inflation of costs and harassment. One such instance saw us cooperating closely with the national prosecutor and the competent Commission services to ensure that the necessary administrative measures are taken to recover €75 million affected by a corruption network in Hungary. The funds in question were meant to finance 112 projects aimed at improving citizens’ lives and Hungarian economy.
Our remit extends beyond the EU borders. That means we can investigate fraud and irregularities of EU funds no matter where they take place in the world. We follow the money.
In 2024, OLAF uncovered irregularities linked to EU funds that were meant to modernise local schools in Sierra Leone. Other international investigations saw us identifying fraud of agricultural development funds in Sri Lanka and misappropriation of EU funds in Moldova.
Environmental fraud was also a major field of activity last year. We detected a significant increase in shipments of illicit electric and electronic waste, shipments in violation of EU waste legislation.
Another worrying trend affecting EU revenue is the continued (mis)use of e-commerce platforms for the sale of counterfeit or undervalued goods. These goods sometimes include fake medicines and other dangerous substances.
At OLAF, we place great emphasis on developing and maintaining strong links with our partners in the EU and beyond. These links prove invaluable when it comes to defending the EU’s financial interests. Many of our success stories in this report and during our history are based on cooperation with our partners, a sign that the EU anti-fraud architecture is working well.
For the past 25 years, protection and fairness have been central to OLAF's mission and will continue to guide our efforts. Our commitment extends to safeguarding public health and safety, ensuring a level playing field for EU producers, and protecting taxpayers' money. We are dedicated to guaranteeing that essential EU funds are used effectively for the benefit of all Europeans.
OLAF investigative activity 2024
OLAF’s fight against counterfeiting and smuggling of dangerous products
2024 was a busy year for OLAF on all fronts, not least targeting smuggling and the illicit trade in counterfeit goods. By doing so, we help protect EU citizens from sale of potentially dangerous goods such as fake toys and counterfeit medicines. In our fight against counterfeiters and smugglers we also safeguard the interests of genuine producers that respect the rules and the standards and pay taxes. This level playing field is what legitimate companies operating in the internal market need to compete and create jobs.
Last year, the Euro 2024 Football Championships in Germany and the games in Paris gave fraudsters the opportunity to profit from the sale of fake sportswear and merchandise.
However, OLAF’s work with German and French customs agencies managed to curtail this trade by seizing 750 000 fake items such as merchandise, sportswear, sports shoes, toys, and sporting equipment.
For example, we helped Spanish authorities shut down an illicit trade in chemical substances (that were banned for Russian export) from Spain to Russia via Kyrgyzstan.
We took part in numerous operations with our partners to prevent the arrival in Europe of smuggled and counterfeit goods. One of our core activities in this area targets the illegal trade in cigarettes and counterfeit alcohol. This illicit trade attracts organised criminal groups because it is extremely profitable with limited risks of being caught.