In 2018, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) concluded complex investigations and contributed to the arrest of those involved in fraud in Europe, according to its 2018 report published on Tuesday 3 September.
OLAF reported that it closed 167 investigations in 2018, issuing 256 recommendations to the relevant authorities in the EU and Member States.
OLAF recommended the recovery of €371 million (compared to an exceptional sum of €3 billion last year, see EUROPE 12035/21) for the EU budget. OLAF opened 219 new investigations following 1,259 preliminary analyses carried out by its experts. As in previous years, the Structural Funds remain the sector most affected by OLAF's investigative activities.
In this report, it presents, for the third consecutive year, an analysis of some of the most striking trends highlighted by its investigations: - setting up fake companies and disguising falsified business transactions in order to obtain EU funds; - fraud in the promotion of agricultural products, with money often being laundered through third countries; - the evasion of customs duties orchestrated through transnational criminal schemes.
OLAF also protects EU money from organised criminals, it explains in its report, available at the following address: http://bit.ly/2lXMZvL (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)