Press release no 16/2025
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In 2024, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) recommended the recovery of more than €870 million in misused EU funds, according to its annual report released today. OLAF investigators also prevented over €40 million from being improperly spent, reinforcing OLAF’s role as guardian of the EU budget. Over the year, OLAF closed 246 investigations and issued 301 recommendations to national and EU authorities, while opening 230 new investigations.
This report marks not only a strong year of operations, but also OLAF’s 25th anniversary – underscoring a quarter-century of dedicated service in protecting the EU’s financial interests and reaffirming OLAF’s leading role in the fight against fraud.
Key figures in 2024:
- OLAF recommended the recovery of €871.5 million to the EU budget
- OLAF prevented €43.5 million from being unduly spent from the EU budget
- An additional €419.2 million in revenue (import duties and VAT) was safeguarded through precautionary and preventive actions
- OLAF closed 246 investigations, issuing 301 recommendations for follow-up to the relevant national and EU authorities
- OLAF opened 230 new investigations, following 1138 preliminary analyses carried out by OLAF experts.
From complex financial fraud and cross-border illicit trade to customs violations, environmental fraud, and the prevention of sanctions evasion, OLAF has consistently demonstrated its relevance and adaptability in the face of evolving challenges. In the last three years, OLAF investigations have led to the recovery of €4.5 billion and the prevention of more than €800 million in irregular spending — clear evidence of its crucial role in safeguarding the EU’s financial interests.
“In 2024, we continued to fight fraud on all fronts,” said OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä. “Whether it’s protecting EU investment in local communities, safeguarding health through action against counterfeit goods or ensuring that the EU funds are used properly and continue to serve its purpose – OLAF is here to detect, act and safeguard”.
“We remain committed to our purpose: to ensure fairness and protect EU citizens, businesses, and communities. The closer we collaborate, the better outcomes we achieve, more effectively safeguarding taxpayers’ money and deterring potential fraudsters”, he continued.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our investigations have helped protect people’s health, kept dangerous products off the market, preserved the environment, and strengthened trust in the EU institutions. That’s what drives us every day.”
Investigations in the EU and beyond
During the year, OLAF’s work spanned across EU countries and beyond. This year, OLAF particularly observed a high number of cases involving conflict of interests, procurement manipulation, inflated costs and workplace harassment.
In one particular Member State, OLAF uncovered a corruption network and ensured that the necessary measures were taken to recover €75 million EU funds meant to finance 112 projects aimed at improving citizens’ lives and a challenged economy.
In another instance, investigation took OLAF to Western Africa where we detected irregularities linked to EU funds earmarked for modernisation of local schools.
Keeping the EU accountable
OLAF continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that EU officials are held to the highest ethical standards. In the past year, OLAF closed several internal investigations into alleged misconduct by staff and members of EU institutions — a key part of its mission to protect the Union’s integrity and to ensure that everyone is held accountable to the highest standards of conduct.
OLAF’s internal investigations during the last year focused mainly on complex and sensitive cases, like those involving staff in senior management positions or those with a high profile in their workplace. This includes allegations of harassment, conflict of interests, ethical issues linked to recruitment and external activities.
Rise of environmental fraud
OLAF investigators have been stepping up efforts against schemes that violate EU environmental laws and threaten biodiversity. Multiple investigations carried out in 2024 have uncovered illegal activities such as the trafficking of harmful fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and the unlawful export of plastic waste — both of which have serious and lasting impacts on the planet.
These environmental crimes not only breach EU regulations but also undermine global efforts to combat climate change and pollution. Meanwhile, in the digital domain, OLAF observed increasing misuse of e-commerce platforms to sell counterfeit or undervalued imports. These goods often include fake medicines and other dangerous items. In coordination with customs authorities, OLAF targeted these illicit networks and helped intercept large consignments.
“Our cooperation with national authorities and other partners remains essential to our success. It allows swift information exchange, coordinated action and stronger results in protecting the EU’s financial interest. We look forward to further enhancing this cooperation under the ongoing European anti-fraud architecture review”, said Itälä.
The OLAF report 2024 is available on OLAF’s website.
OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.
OLAF fulfils its mission by:
• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.
In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
• all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
• some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
• suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.
Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.
For further details:
Pierluigi CATERINO
Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335
Email: olaf-media
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office
X: x.com/EUAntiFraud
Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social
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