The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has identified significant weaknesses in the European Union’s approach to combating fraud, particularly in the coordination and oversight of investigations by key agencies.

Between 2022 and 2024, EU authorities received 27,000 fraud complaints, of which about one-third were deemed worthy of investigation. The EU’s anti-fraud framework involves the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) handling criminal investigations, while the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) conducts administrative inquiries. Both agencies are supported by Eurojust, Europol, and national authorities.

According to the ECA report, while OLAF, EPPO, Eurojust, and Europol have clearly defined legal mandates and collaborate, the number of cases in which they have actively supported one another remains relatively small.

The report also notes that although investigations by OLAF and EPPO have recovered millions of euros from fraudsters, the European Commission does not have a system to confirm whether all funds owed to the EU budget have been fully repaid. In light of this, the ECA urges the Commission to investigate why some cases show very low reporting levels and why discrepancies exist in fund recoveries.

During the 2022–2024 period, OLAF recommended the return of €615 million to the EU budget, of which only €23 million had been recovered by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, the EPPO froze assets worth €3 billion, and courts ordered national authorities to recover €232 million in criminal proceeds in 2024.

The lack of a comprehensive tracking system for these recoveries highlights the need for stronger oversight, according to the ECA, to ensure that EU funds are adequately protected against fraud.